The 2023 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 58th in the National Football League (NFL), their seventh playing their home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, their third under general manager Terry Fontenot and third and final season under head coach Arthur Smith. The Falcons attempted to improve upon their 7âÂÂ10 record from the previous two years and return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Despite starting 2âÂÂ0, the first time since 2017 they won a season opener and had a winning record at some point, their struggles caught up to them, as after being 1st place in the NFC South, the team finished 1âÂÂ4 in their final five games. Atlanta matched their previous two outputs of seven wins with a victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16. However, they were eliminated from playoff contention when the division rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers in Week 18.
On January 8, 2024, the Falcons fired head coach Arthur Smith, who finished his tenure in Atlanta with a 21âÂÂ30 (.412) record.
Draft trades
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
The Falcons weren't able to hold off the Vikings, losing to them 31âÂÂ28, allowing their rival Saints to defeat the Bears and take the number 1 spot in the NFC South.