2022 Atlanta Falcons season

The 2022 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 57th in the National Football League (NFL), their sixth playing their home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and their second under head coach Arthur Smith.

The Falcons matched their 7–10 record from the previous season, but failed to qualify for the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season. Despite the setbacks, the Falcons defeated quarterback Tom Brady for the first time ever in his career during the last game of the regular season, avenging their Super Bowl LI loss. Also notable for the first time since 2007, long-time quarterback Matt Ryan was not on the roster as the Falcons traded him to Indianapolis on March 21. The team signed former Tennessee Titans and Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota as their new quarterback on the same day. Mariota was reunited with Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, who served as the tight ends coach and offensive coordinator during Mariota's tenure with Tennessee (2015–2019). As of the 2024 season, this season is the Falcons' most recent last-place finish in the NFC South.

Draft

Draft trades

Staff

Final roster

Preseason

The Falcons' preseason opponents and schedule were announced in the spring.

Regular season

Schedule

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week 2: at Los Angeles Rams

Week 3: at Seattle Seahawks

Week 4: vs. Cleveland Browns

Week 5: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 6: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Week 7: at Cincinnati Bengals

Week 8: vs. Carolina Panthers

Week 9: vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Week 10: at Carolina Panthers

Week 11: vs. Chicago Bears

Week 12: at Washington Commanders

Week 13: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 15: at New Orleans Saints

Week 16: at Baltimore Ravens

With this loss, coupled with wins by the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers, the Falcons were eliminated from postseason contention.

Week 17: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week 18: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Despite this game having no playoff implications for either team, the Falcons beat the Buccaneers 30-17, officially getting the franchise's first ever victory against Tom Brady. The game featured several milestones for the Falcons rookie class. Quarterback Desmond Ridder threw his first (and second) career touchdown pass, running back Tyler Allgeier passed the 1,000 yard rushing mark while setting the franchise rookie record, and wide receiver Drake London passed tight-end Kyle Pitts for the most receptions by a rookie in franchise history. Following their victory and the rest of the Week 18 results, the Falcons secured the 8th spot in the 2023 NFL draft. As of 2025, this remains the last time Atlanta finished dead last in the NFC South

Standings

Division

Conference

Team leaders

NFL rankings

References

External links