2007 Atlanta Falcons season
| 2007 Atlanta Falcons season | |
|---|---|
| Head coach |
Bobby Petrino Emmitt Thomas (interim) |
| General manager | Rich McKay |
| Owner | Arthur Blank |
| Home field | Georgia Dome |
| Results | |
| Record | 4–12 |
| Division place | 4th NFC South |
| Playoff finish | did not qualify |
The 2007 Atlanta Falcons season was the 42nd season for the franchise in the National Football League (NFL). They finished the 2007 season with a record of 4–12 and failed to improve upon their 7–9 record in 2006 after finishing third place in the NFC South.
The team attempted to overcome the controversy surrounding starting quarterback Michael Vick and his involvement in an illegal dog fighting ring. Bobby Petrino was hired to help develop Vick into a more complete quarterback, but with Vick's absence, journeyman quarterbacks Joey Harrington and Byron Leftwich were used to patch-in holes. Petrino's game plan didn't fit, both on the field and in the locker room, with veteran players Alge Crumpler and DeAngelo Hall voicing their displeasure.
Petrino later resigned just 13 games into the season to coach the Arkansas Razorbacks. Petrino resigned the day after Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison and also a day after Petrino coached the Falcons in a 34–14 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football.
Head coach Bobby Petrino spent less than a year with the Atlanta Falcons. He was hired on January 7, 2007 after the Falcons fired Jim Mora, Jr., who was fired on New Year's Day. On December 11, 2007, Petrino announced his resignation just 13 games into his first year.
Hoping to put a troublesome off-season behind them, the Falcons began their 2007 campaign on the road against the Minnesota Vikings. In the first quarter, Atlanta immediately trailed as Vikings DT Kevin Williams returned an interception 54 yards for a touchdown, which was the only score of the half. In the third quarter, Minnesota increased its lead with kicker Ryan Longwell getting a 49-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Falcons got their only score of the game, with kicker Matt Prater's 45-yard field goal. From there, the Vikings put the game away with QB Tarvaris Jackson completing a 60-yard TD pass to RB Adrian Peterson, along with CB Antoine Winfield returning an interception 14 yards for a touchdown.
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