2002 Atlanta Falcons season
| 2002 Atlanta Falcons season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Dan Reeves |
| Home field | Georgia Dome |
| Results | |
| Record | 9–6–1 |
| Division place | 2nd NFC South |
| Playoff finish |
Won Wild Card Playoffs (at Packers) 27–7 Lost Divisional Playoffs (at Eagles) 6–20 |
| Uniform | |
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|
The 2002 Atlanta Falcons season was their 37th in the league and first in the newly-formed NFC South. The team improved upon their previous season's output of 7–9 and qualified for the playoffs for the first time in four years. The team was also involved in a rare tie, matching the Pittsburgh Steelers 34–34 at the end of overtime. This was the most recent tie in the NFL until the Philadelphia Eagles and the Cincinnati Bengals tied 13–13 in the 2008 season.
Before the season, the Falcons acquired running back Warrick Dunn to help with the team's running game. Their running game has suffered the past three years. Dunn finished the season with 927 rushing yards and 9 total touchdowns.
After seeing limited action as a rookie, this was Michael Vick's first full season as starting quarterback.
In the Wild Card Game, Vick and the Falcons easily stunned the Brett Favre-led Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, 27-7, giving the Packers their first ever playoff loss in Lambeau. However, a 20-6 shutout to Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles in the next round kept the Falcons from advancing in the playoffs.
This was Dan Reeves' last full season as head coach as he was replaced by interim Wade Phillips during the following season.
Vick and linebacker Keith Brooking were voted to play in the Pro Bowl after the season. However, both Vick and Brooking did not play in the game. The Pro Bowl was Vick's first and Brooking's second.
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