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2014 Atlanta Falcons season
2014 Atlanta Falcons season
2014 Atlanta Falcons season
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The 2014 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 49th in the National Football League (NFL), and their seventh and final season under head coach Mike Smith. The Falcons were defeated by the Carolina Panthers in week 17, officially eliminating them from postseason contention for the second straight year.[1] As a result, Smith was fired after his seventh year as head coach, after two straight years with a losing record.[2]

Key Information

The 2014 Atlanta Falcons were featured on the HBO documentary series Hard Knocks.[3]

2014 draft class

[edit]
Main article: 2014 NFL draft
2014 Atlanta Falcons Draft
Round Selection Player Position College
1 6 Jake Matthews Offensive tackle Texas A&M
2 37 Ra'Shede Hageman Defensive tackle Minnesota
3 68 Dezmen Southward Free safety Wisconsin
4 103 Devonta Freeman Running back Florida State
139 Prince Shembo Linebacker Notre Dame
5 147 Ricardo Allen Cornerback Purdue
168 Marquis Spruill Linebacker Syracuse
6 None — see below
7 253 Yawin Smallwood Linebacker Connecticut
255 Tyler Starr Linebacker South Dakota
Compensatory selection
  • Note: The Falcons traded their sixth- (No. 182 overall) and original seventh- (No. 220 overall) round selections to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for the Vikings' fifth-round selection (No. 168 overall).

Staff

[edit]
2014 Atlanta Falcons staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

Final roster

[edit]
2014 Atlanta Falcons roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams (ST)

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
53 active, 11 reserve, 10 practice squad

Schedule

[edit]

Preseason

[edit]
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 8 Miami Dolphins W 16–10 1–0 Georgia Dome Recap
2 August 16 at Houston Texans L 7–32 1–1 NRG Stadium Recap
3 August 23 Tennessee Titans L 17–24 1–2 Georgia Dome Recap
4 August 28 at Jacksonville Jaguars W 24–14 2–2 EverBank Field Recap

Regular season

[edit]
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 7 New Orleans Saints W 37–34 (OT) 1–0 Georgia Dome Recap
2 September 14 at Cincinnati Bengals L 10–24 1–1 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
3 September 18 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 56–14 2–1 Georgia Dome Recap
4 September 28 at Minnesota Vikings L 28–41 2–2 TCF Bank Stadium Recap
5 October 5 at New York Giants L 20–30 2–3 MetLife Stadium Recap
6 October 12 Chicago Bears L 13–27 2–4 Georgia Dome Recap
7 October 19 at Baltimore Ravens L 7–29 2–5 M&T Bank Stadium Recap
8 October 26 Detroit Lions L 21–22 2–6 United Kingdom Wembley Stadium (London) Recap
9 Bye
10 November 9 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 27–17 3–6 Raymond James Stadium Recap
11 November 16 at Carolina Panthers W 19–17 4–6 Bank of America Stadium Recap
12 November 23 Cleveland Browns L 24–26 4–7 Georgia Dome Recap
13 November 30 Arizona Cardinals W 29–18 5–7 Georgia Dome Recap
14 December 8 at Green Bay Packers L 37–43 5–8 Lambeau Field Recap
15 December 14 Pittsburgh Steelers L 20–27 5–9 Georgia Dome Recap
16 December 21 at New Orleans Saints W 30–14 6–9 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
17 December 28 Carolina Panthers L 3–34 6–10 Georgia Dome Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

[edit]

Week 1: vs. New Orleans Saints

[edit]
Week One: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
Saints 6 14 014034
Falcons 0 10 1410337

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

Week 2: at Cincinnati Bengals

[edit]
Week Two: Atlanta Falcons at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Falcons 3 0 0710
Bengals 3 7 14024

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

Week 3: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

[edit]
Week Three: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 0 0 01414
Falcons 21 14 21056

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

In this game, Devin Hester would break Deion Sanders's all-time record for punt/kick returns for touchdowns, with 20.[4] This was the first NFC vs. NFC game to air on CBS since the 1993 NFL season.

Week 4: at Minnesota Vikings

[edit]
Week Four: Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Falcons 7 7 14028
Vikings 14 10 31441

at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Week 5: at New York Giants

[edit]
Week Five: Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Falcons 7 6 7020
Giants 7 3 71330

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: October 5
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 80,307
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Week 6: vs. Chicago Bears

[edit]
Week Six: Chicago Bears at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bears 0 13 6827
Falcons 3 0 10013

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

Week 7: at Baltimore Ravens

[edit]
Week Seven: Atlanta Falcons at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Falcons 0 0 077
Ravens 7 10 3929

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

  • Date: October 19
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 71,184
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Justin Kutcher, David Diehl and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Week 8: vs. Detroit Lions

[edit]
NFL International Series
Week Eight: Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Lions 0 0 101222
Falcons 14 7 0021

at Wembley Stadium, London, England

Game information

Week 10: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

[edit]
Week Ten: Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Falcons 7 6 31127
Buccaneers 3 7 0717

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

  • Date: November 9
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 57,751
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, David Diehl and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Week 11: at Carolina Panthers

[edit]
Week Eleven: Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Falcons 0 6 10319
Panthers 0 3 01417

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

Week 12: vs. Cleveland Browns

[edit]
Week Twelve: Cleveland Browns at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Browns 7 6 10326
Falcons 7 7 01024

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

Week 13: vs. Arizona Cardinals

[edit]
Week Thirteen: Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 10 0818
Falcons 17 3 3629

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: November 30
  • Game time: 4:05 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 69,557
  • Referee: Terry McAulay
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

This was the Falcons' only win outside the NFC South division.

Week 14: at Green Bay Packers

[edit]
Week Fourteen: Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Falcons 7 0 102037
Packers 7 24 3943

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

Week 15: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

[edit]
Week Fifteen: Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Steelers 6 14 0727
Falcons 0 7 6720

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

The Falcons were the only NFC South team to lose to all of their AFC North opponents.

Week 16: at New Orleans Saints

[edit]
Week Sixteen: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Falcons 3 10 71030
Saints 7 0 0714

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: December 21
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 73,164
  • Referee: John Parry
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

With the win, the Falcons swept the Saints for the 1st time since 2005 and eliminated them from postseason contention.

Week 17: vs. Carolina Panthers

[edit]
Week Seventeen: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Panthers 10 14 10034
Falcons 0 3 003

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: December 28
  • Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 71,015
  • Referee: Bill Leavy
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Tracy Wolfson
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Standings

[edit]

Division

[edit]
NFC South
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(4) Carolina Panthers 7 8 1 .469 4–2 6–6 339 374 W4
New Orleans Saints 7 9 0 .438 3–3 6–6 401 424 W1
Atlanta Falcons 6 10 0 .375 5–1 6–6 381 417 L1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2 14 0 .125 0–6 1–11 277 410 L6

Conference

[edit]
NFC[5]
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1[a] Seattle Seahawks West 12 4 0 .750 5–1 10–2 .525 .513 W6
2[a] Green Bay Packers North 12 4 0 .750 5–1 9–3 .482 .440 W2
3[a] Dallas Cowboys East 12 4 0 .750 4–2 8–4 .445 .422 W4
4 Carolina Panthers South 7 8 1 .469 4–2 6–6 .490 .357 W4
Wild Cards
5[b] Arizona Cardinals West 11 5 0 .688 3–3 8–4 .523 .477 L2
6[b] Detroit Lions North 11 5 0 .688 5–1 9–3 .471 .392 L1
Did not qualify for the postseason
7 Philadelphia Eagles East 10 6 0 .625 4–2 6–6 .490 .416 W1
8 San Francisco 49ers West 8 8 0 .500 2–4 7–5 .527 .508 W1
9[c] New Orleans Saints South 7 9 0 .438 3–3 6–6 .486 .415 W1
10[c] Minnesota Vikings North 7 9 0 .438 1–5 6–6 .475 .308 W1
11[d] New York Giants East 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 .512 .323 L1
12[d] Atlanta Falcons South 6 10 0 .375 5–1 6–6 .482 .380 L1
13[d] St. Louis Rams West 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 .531 .427 L3
14 Chicago Bears North 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 .529 .338 L5
15 Washington Redskins East 4 12 0 .250 2–4 2–10 .496 .422 L1
16 Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 2 14 0 .125 0–6 1–11 .486 .469 L6
Tiebreakers[e]
  1. ^ a b c Seattle, Green Bay and Dallas were ranked in seeds 1–3 based on conference record.
  2. ^ a b Arizona defeated Detroit head-to-head (Week 11, 14–6).
  3. ^ a b New Orleans defeated Minnesota head-to-head (Week 3, 20–9).
  4. ^ a b c The NY Giants defeated both Atlanta and St. Louis head-to-head (Atlanta: Week 5, 30–20; St. Louis: Week 16, 37–27), while Atlanta finished ahead of St. Louis based on conference record.
  5. ^ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.

Use of artificial crowd noise

[edit]

Shortly after the end of the post-season the Falcons were investigated by the League for piping artificial crowd noise during opponent's offensive snaps at home games during the 2013 season and the 2014 season.[6] Team owner Arthur Blank stated that he was "angry and embarrassed" about the allegations, and has allegedly acknowledged the validity of the accusations, stating "I think what we've done in 2013 and 2014 was wrong", and promising to cooperate fully with the investigation.[7] The NFL fined the Falcons $350,000 and took away a fifth round draft pick in the 2016 draft as punishment.[8]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

2014 Atlanta Falcons season

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The 2014 Atlanta Falcons season was the franchise's 49th in the () and the seventh and final year under Mike Smith. The team compiled a 6–10 record, finishing third in the division behind the (7–8–1) and (7–9), which eliminated them from playoff contention for the second consecutive season. Despite entering the year with aspirations following a 4–12 campaign in 2013, the Falcons' season was marked by an inconsistent performance, highlighted by a potent passing offense but a porous defense that ranked last in the league in yards allowed (6,372). The Falcons' offense, led by quarterback Matt Ryan—who earned his third selection after throwing for 4,694 yards and 28 touchdowns—remained one of the league's most productive units, scoring 381 points (12th in the ). Julio Jones, also a honoree, set career highs with 104 receptions for 1,593 yards and six touchdowns, forming a dynamic duo with Ryan that powered several comeback victories, including a 30–14 win over the Saints in Week 16. However, the defense, coordinated by , struggled with injuries and poor play, surrendering 417 points (27th in the ) and failing to generate consistent pressure, as evidenced by their league-worst 20 sacks recorded against opposing quarterbacks. The team started 1–3, endured a four-game losing streak midseason, but briefly surged to contention in the weak before collapsing with three straight losses to close the year, culminating in a humiliating 34–3 defeat to the Panthers on December 28. The season drew significant attention as the Falcons were the featured team on HBO's Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Atlanta Falcons, providing an inside look at their preparations and roster battles during August 2014. Following the finale loss, owner Arthur Blank fired Smith on December 29 after seven seasons (66–46 record), citing the need for a new direction amid back-to-back losing records and defensive shortcomings. General manager Thomas Dimitroff retained his position, setting the stage for a rebuild focused on bolstering the defense through the 2015 NFL Draft.

Offseason

2014 NFL Draft

The Atlanta Falcons entered the 2014 NFL Draft with the sixth overall selection after finishing the 2013 season with a 4–12 record, necessitating reinforcements along the offensive line to protect quarterback Matt Ryan and bolstering a defense that ranked 27th in points allowed the prior year. General manager Thomas Dimitroff explored multiple trade scenarios, including moving up to secure elite edge rushers such as Jadeveon Clowney or Khalil Mack, but ultimately remained at No. 6 without a major deal. The team's draft class emphasized physicality in the trenches, selecting seven defensive players and addressing secondary and running back depth, resulting in nine total picks across seven rounds. One minor trade occurred on Day 3, when the Falcons acquired the Minnesota Vikings' fifth-round pick (No. 168) in exchange for their sixth-round selection (No. 182) and seventh-rounder (No. 220). In the first round, the Falcons selected offensive tackle Jake Matthews from Texas A&M at No. 6 overall, a 6-foot-5, 308-pound prospect projected to start immediately at left tackle and provide long-term stability. The second round brought from at No. 37, a versatile 6-foot-6, 310-pound lineman expected to rotate on the defensive front and add pass-rush potential. The third-round pick, safety Dezmen Southward from at No. 68, targeted an upgrade in the secondary with his 4.35-second speed to cover deep threats. from Florida State was chosen in the fourth round at No. 103 as a complementary back to , valued for his burst and receiving skills out of the backfield. The Falcons continued building depth with fourth-round linebacker from Notre Dame at No. 139, a physical edge setter projected for special teams and situational roles. In the fifth round, they added safety Ricardo Allen from Purdue at No. 147 for nickel coverage versatility and used the traded pick to select linebacker Marquis Spruill from Syracuse at No. 168, aiming to inject speed into the linebacker corps. The seventh round yielded linebackers Yawin Smallwood from at No. 253 and Tyler Starr from at No. 255, both developmental prospects to compete for roster spots. The draft class drew a B+ grade from analysts for addressing core needs with high-upside talent in the trenches while adding speed and depth elsewhere, though some critiqued the delay in selecting an outside pass rusher until later rounds.
RoundOverallPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
16Jake MatthewsOTTexas A&MProjected starter at left tackle
237DTVersatile defensive lineman
368Dezmen SouthwardSSpeedy free safety addition
4103RBFlorida StateChange-of-pace back
4139LBNotre DameEdge defender and special teams
5147SPurdueSlot corner/safety hybrid
5168Marquis SpruillLBSyracuseAcquired via trade; speed rusher
7253Yawin SmallwoodLBDepth at inside linebacker
7255Tyler StarrLBDevelopmental outside linebacker

Roster transactions

The Atlanta Falcons underwent significant roster adjustments during the 2014 offseason to rebuild their defense and special teams units after a 4-12 record in 2013, focusing on bolstering the defensive line, secondary, and return capabilities while parting ways with several aging or underperforming veterans. Key releases included and linebacker Stephen Nicholas on February 5, 2014, both of whom had been integral to prior seasons but were deemed expendable amid a defensive overhaul. Offensive lineman Garrett Reynolds was released on February 20, 2014, freeing cap space for incoming talent. Safety Thomas DeCoud was let go on March 11, 2014, as part of efforts to inject youth into the secondary. Additionally, Jason Snelling announced his retirement on March 4, 2014, after nine seasons. In free agency, the Falcons targeted defensive reinforcements, agreeing to terms with defensive tackle Paul Soliai, defensive end Tyson Jackson, and guard Jon Asamoah on March 11, 2014, to fortify the front seven. They re-signed defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux to a three-year contract and extended guard Joe Hawley for two years on the same date, providing continuity along the line. Wide receiver Devin Hester, a four-time Pro Bowler known for his return prowess, was signed on March 20, 2014, to enhance special teams. Cornerback Javier Arenas joined on March 18, 2014, adding depth to the secondary, while safety Dwight Lowery and cornerback Josh Wilson were added on April 8, 2014. Offensive tackle Gabe Carimi was signed on February 18, 2014, and offensive lineman Mike Johnson received a one-year extension on March 10, 2014. Defensive tackle Corey Peters was re-signed to a one-year deal on March 4, 2014. The team also signed free agent tight end Bear Pascoe on May 1, 2014, to support the running game. Wide receiver agreed to a four-year contract extension on July 24, 2014, locking in a core offensive piece through 2018. No major player trades occurred during the offseason, though the Falcons executed draft-day pick exchanges, such as acquiring a fifth-round selection from the on May 10, 2014, in return for their sixth- and seventh-round picks, which they used to select linebacker Marquis Spruill.
Major Free Agent AcquisitionsPositionDateContract Details
Paul SoliaiDTMar 11, 2014Multi-year deal
DEMar 11, 2014Multi-year deal
Jon AsamoahGMar 11, 2014Multi-year deal
WRMar 20, 2014Multi-year deal
Dwight LowerySApr 8, 2014Undisclosed
Josh WilsonCBApr 8, 2014Undisclosed
These moves aimed to address pass rush deficiencies and secondary vulnerabilities, setting the stage for a bounce-back season under head coach Mike Smith.

Personnel

Coaching staff

The 2014 Atlanta Falcons coaching staff was headed by Mike Smith, who entered his seventh season as head coach after leading the team to consecutive playoff appearances from 2008 to 2012. Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, in his second year with the Falcons, took over play-calling duties from head coach Smith, aiming to revitalize an offense that had struggled in pass protection the prior year. On defense, Mike Nolan returned for his second season as coordinator, focusing on improving a unit that ranked near the bottom of the league in points allowed during the 2013 campaign. Special teams were overseen by Keith Armstrong, who had been with the organization since 2008. The complete coaching staff for the season included a mix of holdovers from previous years and new additions, emphasizing experience in player development and scheme implementation. Below is a breakdown of the key positions and personnel:
PositionCoach
Head CoachMike Smith
Offensive CoordinatorDirk Koetter
Quarterbacks CoachGlenn Thomas
Running Backs CoachGerald Brown
Wide Receivers CoachTerry Robiskie (Assistant Head Coach)
Tight Ends CoachChris Scelfo
Offensive Line CoachMike Tice
Assistant Offensive Line CoachWade Harman
Offensive AssistantAndrew Weidinger
Defensive CoordinatorMike Nolan
Defensive Line CoachBryan Cox
Linebackers CoachGlenn Pires
Outside Linebackers CoachMark Collins
Defensive Backs CoachJoe Danna
Secondary CoachTim Lewis
Defensive AssistantAndrew Thacker
Special Teams CoordinatorKeith Armstrong
Assistant Special Teams CoachEric Sutulovich
Head Strength and Conditioning CoachA.J. Neibel
This staff guided the Falcons to a 6-10 record, missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year, after which Smith was relieved of his duties.

Final roster

The 2014 Atlanta Falcons' final roster, following preseason cuts and initial transactions, comprised 53 active players, with additional adjustments made throughout the season due to injuries and performance. This group featured key veterans like Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, alongside rookies such as offensive tackle Jake Matthews and Ra'Shede Hageman. The roster below lists all players who appeared in at least one regular-season game, categorized by offense, defense, and special teams, reflecting the team's composition during the year.

Offense

Quarterbacks

No.PlayerAgeGGS
2Matt Ryan291616
132710

Running Backs

No.PlayerAgeGGS
4225167
2422160
39311515
3224161
35Antone Smith29100
34Jerome Smith2310

Wide Receivers

No.PlayerAgeGGS
19Drew Davis2560
8330126
1732161
18Freddie Martino2310
15Courtney Roby3140
11251515
1429160
84331414

Tight Ends

No.PlayerAgeGGS
86Bear Pascoe28162
80231616

Offensive Linemen

No.PlayerAgeGGS
75Jon Asamoah261515
63Justin Blalock311515
6826167
69Harland Gunn25101
612644
76Lamar Holmes2544
66Peter Konz2573
70Jake Matthews221515
73Ryan Schraeder261310
64Jonathan Scott3110
62James Stone22129

Defense

Defensive Linemen

No.PlayerAgeGGS
95331515
93Malliciah Goodman241610
7724160
99281616
94Jonathan Massaquoi26153
98Cliff Matthews2570
9126152
96Paul Soliai311514
90Stansly Maponga23120
5033160

Linebackers

No.PlayerAgeGGS
59Joplo Bartu241614
71291615
5323163
52Nathan Stupar26150
55Paul Worrilow241616

Defensive Backs

No.PlayerAgeGGS
23Robert Alford261010
28Javier Arenas2760
29Sean Baker2650
30Charles Godfrey2950
47Josh Harris25160
36Kemal Ishmael231610
2726166
25William Moore2977
41Dezmen Southward24160
21241616
26Josh Wilson29164
20Dwight Lowery281615

Special Teams

No.PlayerAgeGGS
5Matthew Bosher27160
339160
46Beau Brinkley23160

Schedule and results

Preseason

The Atlanta Falcons entered the 2014 preseason with high expectations following a disappointing 4–12 regular season record in 2013, aiming to integrate first-round draft pick Jake Matthews at offensive tackle and evaluate new additions like return specialist . Under head coach Mike Smith, the team focused on refining their offensive line and running game amid concerns over defensive depth. The Falcons finished the preseason with a 2–2 record, scoring 64 points while allowing 80, as they prepared for a regular season opener against the .
DateOpponentLocationResultScore
August 8, , GAW16–10
August 16Reliant Stadium, , TXL7–32
August 23, , GAL17–24
August 28EverBank Field, Jacksonville, FLW24–14
In the opener against the Dolphins, quarterback Matt Ryan completed 7 of 7 passes for 53 yards on a brief appearance, setting a positive tone for the offense while the defense forced a late fumble to secure the win. Rookie Devonta Freeman emerged as a standout, rushing for 50 yards on 10 carries and catching a 57-yard pass, showcasing his versatility early in camp. The victory highlighted improvements in special teams, with contributing on returns. The second game resulted in a lopsided loss to the Texans, where the Falcons managed only 7 points amid sloppy play and turnovers, including a blocked punt returned for a . Freeman finished with 6 carries for 31 rushing yards, but the offense struggled against Houston's defense led by rookie . A significant setback occurred when left tackle Sam Baker suffered a right knee injury early in the game, forcing Matthews—drafted sixth overall—to switch from right to left tackle ahead of schedule; Matthews noted post-game that he felt he improved in pass protection during the matchup. Against the Titans in week three, the Falcons fell in a close contest, trailing 24–17 after a late drive stalled at the 4-yard line. Backup quarterback completed 2 of 5 passes for 5 yards, while the defense limited Tennessee's to 85 passing yards before his exit. No major injuries were reported, allowing the team to avoid further setbacks and focus on depth evaluations. Freeman had 4 carries for 33 rushing yards, solidifying his role in the backfield rotation behind , who was limited by a issue. The preseason finale against the Jaguars provided a morale-boosting win, with the Falcons' backups dominating after starters played limited snaps. Freeman rushed for 42 yards on 12 carries, including a 1-yard run, for a preseason total of 156 rushing yards that positioned him as a key complement to the veteran runners. Hester's returns averaged 25 yards, underscoring his value in the return game. The game allowed coach Smith to assess the depth chart without additional injuries, though Baker's knee issue lingered into the . Overall, the preseason emphasized Freeman's breakout potential and Matthews' adaptability, while exposing ongoing defensive vulnerabilities that carried into the fall.

Regular season

The 2014 Atlanta Falcons regular season was characterized by early promise, a prolonged mid-season slump, and a late but insufficient rally, culminating in a 6–10 record that placed them third in the and out of playoff contention for the second straight year. Under head coach Mike Smith, the team averaged 23.8 points scored per game (12th in the ) but surrendered 26.1 points per game (25th), highlighting offensive potency offset by defensive vulnerabilities. Matt Ryan anchored the attack with 4,694 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions, while Julio Jones emerged as a star with 1,593 receiving yards and six scores despite missing time with a hip injury. The Falcons opened the season on September 7 at home against divisional rival New Orleans, securing a dramatic 37–34 victory after Matt Bryant's 52-yard as time expired. Ryan threw for a career-high 448 yards and three touchdowns in the high-scoring affair, setting an optimistic tone. After a 10–24 road loss to the in Week 2, responded with a franchise-record-tying 56–14 rout of the on September 18, as seven different players scored touchdowns in a dominant display of offensive firepower. These early results left at 2–1, but defensive lapses soon emerged. A three-game losing streak followed in Weeks 4 through 6, with defeats to the Minnesota Vikings (28–41), (20–30), and (13–27), dropping Atlanta to 2–4. The defense allowed 30 or more points in three of those contests, exposing run-stopping and coverage issues. Losses to the (7–29) and (21–22) in Weeks 7 and 8 extended the skid to five straight losses, pushing the record to 2–6 entering the Week 9 bye and intensifying scrutiny on Smith's schemes. During this stretch, the Falcons managed just 16.7 points per game offensively while conceding 30.5, underscoring a lack of balance. Post-bye, Atlanta showed resilience, winning four of their final eight games to salvage some momentum. A 27–17 road victory over the Buccaneers in Week 10 snapped the skid, followed by a gritty 19–17 upset at the on November 16, where Bryant's game-winning 47-yard as time expired vaulted the Falcons into first place in the . Jones' 95-yard performance proved pivotal, though the win relied on a staunch goal-line stand. In Week 13, a 29–18 home triumph against the featured Jones' 189 receiving yards on 10 catches, including a , as Ryan added 361 yards through the air. The rally kept faint playoff hopes alive, but inconsistencies persisted with losses to the (24–26), (37–43), and (20–27) in Weeks 12, 14, and 15. A crucial 30–14 road win over the Saints in Week 16—Atlanta's second sweep of the season series—saw Jones return from injury for 107 yards, maintaining divisional pressure heading into the finale. However, the campaign ended in disappointment on December 28 with a 34–3 home thrashing by the Panthers, where Carolina returned two interceptions for touchdowns and the Falcons managed just 172 total yards. This defeat not only eliminated but also led to Smith's firing the next day.

Season summary

Standings

The finished the 2014 regular season with a 6–10 record, placing third in the division. This performance marked an improvement from their previous season's 4–12 record but fell short of playoff contention, as the division winner, the , advanced with a 7–8–1 mark. The Falcons' defense struggled significantly, allowing 417 points, the sixth-most in the league, which contributed to their sub-.500 finish. In the broader NFC, the Falcons ranked 12th out of 16 teams, tying with several others for the final wild-card spots but eliminated due to tiebreakers. Their divisional record of 5–1 highlighted strengths against NFC South rivals, including sweeps of the Saints and Buccaneers.
TeamWLTPCTPFPAHomeRoadDivConfStreak
Carolina Panthers781.4693913724–43–4–14–26–6W4
New Orleans Saints790.4384014264–53–43–36–6L1
Atlanta Falcons6100.3753814173–53–55–16–6L1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers2140.1252774102–60–80–61–11L2
The table above reflects the final NFC South standings, where the Falcons' point differential of -36 underscored their defensive vulnerabilities. Despite offensive output averaging 23.8 points per game—12th in the —the could not overcome their turnover differential of +5.

Key events and controversies

The 2014 Atlanta Falcons season was marked by inconsistency, beginning with a thrilling victory over the in Week 1, where Matt Ryan threw for 448 yards and three touchdowns. The then suffered a five-game from Weeks 4 through 8, including a narrow 22-21 defeat to the in , dropping them to 2-6 at the midway point. This skid highlighted defensive vulnerabilities, as the Falcons allowed 417 points over the season. A brief resurgence followed, with three wins in four games from Weeks 10 to 13, including a 29-18 upset over the , bringing their record to 5-7. However, they lost to the and in Weeks 14 and 15, won against the in Week 16 to improve to 6-9, and lost 34-3 to the in Week 17, eliminating them from playoff contention for the second consecutive year and finishing at 6-10. A pivotal off-field event was the team's selection as the subject of HBO's Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Atlanta Falcons, which aired from August to September 2014 and provided unprecedented access to training camp dynamics, including owner Arthur Blank's emphasis on building a tougher roster. The series captured the integration of first-round draft pick Jake Matthews, selected sixth overall to bolster the offensive line, and wide receiver Julio Jones' recovery from foot surgery, setting the stage for his Pro Bowl season with 1,593 receiving yards. Another key moment was the Week 3 56-14 rout of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, tying a franchise record for points scored in a game and showcasing the offense's potential under new coordinator Dirk Koetter. The season ended with the December 29 firing of head coach Mike Smith after seven years, a move owner Blank described as difficult but necessary following two straight losing seasons. Controversies overshadowed parts of the season, notably the NFL's investigation into the Falcons piping artificial crowd noise into the during opposing teams' offensive plays, a practice that dated back to 2014 and was confirmed post-season. In March 2015, the league fined the team $350,000, forfeited their 2016 fifth-round draft pick, and suspended president from the competition committee for at least three months. Additionally, the fourth-round selection of linebacker in May 2014 drew scrutiny due to his involvement in a 2010 sexual battery allegation at Notre Dame, where the accuser, Lizzy Seeberg, died by shortly after reporting the incident; Shembo was never charged and addressed the matter upon being drafted, affirming his innocence. Shembo played 16 games in 2014 but was waived the following year after an unrelated animal cruelty charge.

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/atl/2014.htm
  2. https://www.nfl.com/news/atlanta-falcons-fire-coach-mike-smith-0ap3000000451246
  3. https://www.nfl.com/games/panthers-at-falcons-2014-reg-17
  4. https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/watch-the-entire-2014-season-of-hard-knocks-featuring-the-atlanta-falcons
  5. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2014-nfl-draft-final-team-grades-and-analysis/
  6. https://www.nfl.com/news/atlanta-falcons-exploring-all-trades-in-2014-nfl-draft-0ap2000000344773
  7. https://www.nfl.com/news/falcons-trying-to-trade-up-could-target-khalil-mack-0ap2000000347869
  8. https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2014/story/_/id/10900002/trade-tracker
  9. https://www.si.com/nfl/2014/05/09/2014-nfl-draft-trades
  10. https://www.nfl.com/news/atlanta-falcons-draft-jake-matthews-no-6-overall-0ap2000000348084
  11. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/atl/2014_draft.htm
  12. https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/transactions/_/name/atl/season/2014
  13. https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2014/05/01/falcons-sign-former-giants-tight-end-bear-pascoe/8575775/
  14. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/atl/2014_trades.htm
  15. https://profootballarchives.com/2014nflatl.html
  16. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/atl/2014_roster.htm
  17. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2014/preseason.htm
  18. https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/400554694
  19. https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/by-the-numbers-falcons-at-texans-13488394
  20. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/11364118/sam-baker-atlanta-falcons-leaves-preseason-game-houston-texans-right-knee-injury
  21. https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/by-the-numbers-titans-at-falcons-13541284
  22. https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2014/8/24/6061723/nfl-preseason-2014-falcons-titans-injury-report
  23. https://www.al.com/sports/2014/08/falcons_nfl_preseason_5_things_3.html
  24. https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/by-the-numbers-falcons-at-jaguars-13588697
  25. https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/400554215
  26. https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/400554194
  27. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/atl/2014/gamelog
  28. https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/400554368
  29. https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/400554404
  30. https://www.nfl.com/standings/division/2014/reg
  31. https://www.nfl.com/standings/league/2014/reg
  32. https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/400554215/saints-falcons
  33. https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/schedule/_/name/atl/season/2014
  34. https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/best-of-2014-five-biggest-storylines-of-the-year-14775079
  35. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201409180atl.htm
  36. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/12091459/atlanta-falcons-fire-mike-smith
  37. https://www.nfl.com/news/atlanta-falcons-lose-2016-pick-for-pumping-fake-noise-0ap3000000482500
  38. https://www.espn.com/blog/atlanta-falcons/post/_/id/5371/schembo-addresses-controversial-incident
  39. https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/12976679/prince-shembo-atlanta-falcons-charged-dog-death
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