2006 Atlanta Falcons season
| 2006 Atlanta Falcons season | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Head coach | Jim Mora |
| General manager | Rich McKay |
| Owner | Arthur Blank |
| Home field | Georgia Dome |
| Results | |
| Record | 7–9 |
| Division place | 3rd NFC South |
| Playoff finish | did not qualify |
The 2006 Atlanta Falcons season was the franchise's 41st in the National Football League (NFL). The team attempted to improve on their 8–8 record in 2005.
Falcons quarterback Michael Vick became the first quarterback in modern NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards, with 1,039. Running back Warrick Dunn rushed for 1,140 yards, making the 2006 Falcons only the fourth team since the AFL-NFL merger to have two 1,000-yard rushers. The Falcons are, however, the only team to have multiple 1,000-yard rushers and finish the season with a losing record.
This was Vick's last season with Atlanta as his ongoing dogfighting case in the 2007 off-season forced him out of the league for two years. He would later sign with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009, backing up Donovan McNabb. Following the departure of McNabb, Vick would start full-time in 2010.
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
The Falcons opened the regular season on the road against the Carolina Panthers on September 10. Even though the Panthers scored first, with opposing kicker John Kasay getting a 54-yard field goal, the Falcons responded with a field goal of their own, as kicker Michael Koenen booted a 25-yarder. In the second quarter, the Falcons unleashed their best, as Koenen got a 32-yard field goal and QB Michael Vick completed a 34-yard pass to WR Michael Jenkins. The Panthers tried to respond in the third quarter with Kasay kicking a 46-yard field goal, but Vick and the Falcons put the game away with a 1-yard TD pass to TE Alge Crumpler. Other than Vick having a good game, Warrick Dunn contributed with 132 rushing yards, while Atlanta's newest member, defensive end John Abraham, had 5 tackles, 2 sacks and two forced fumbles.
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