2010 Atlanta Falcons season
| 2010 Atlanta Falcons season | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Head coach | Mike Smith |
| General manager | Thomas Dimitroff |
| Owner | Arthur Blank |
| Home field | Georgia Dome |
| Results | |
| Record | 13–3 |
| Division place | 1st NFC South |
| Playoff finish | Lost Divisional Playoffs (Packers) 21–48 |
| Pro Bowlers | Matt Ryan, Roddy White, Michael Turner, Tony Gonzalez, Ovie Mughelli, John Abraham, Eric Weems, Brent Grimes, Tyson Clabo |
The 2010 Atlanta Falcons season was the 45th season for the team in the National Football League. In 2009, the team posted consecutive winning seasons for the first time in franchise history, with a 9–7 record, but did not make the playoffs.
The Falcons improved on their 2009 record, winning 13 games. The team won their first NFC South title since 2004, a bye in the first round of the playoffs, and the top seed in the NFC. In the playoffs, the Falcons fell to the eventual Super Bowl XLV champion Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional Round 21–48.
Falcons re-signed WR Brian Finneran to a 1-year deal on February 11, 2010.
Falcons re-signed CB Brian Williams to a 1-year deal on March 4, 2010.
Falcons signed CB Dunta Robinson to a 6-year deal on March 5, 2010.
Falcons re-signed LS Joe Zelenka to a deal on March 8, 2010.
Falcons re-signed CB Brent Grimes to a deal on March 9, 2010.
Falcons cut CB Tye Hill and signed S Matt Giordano on March 16, 2010.
After finishing the season 9–7 and out of the playoffs, the Falcons will pick 19th in the draft. The Falcons traded their second round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs after trading for tight end Tony Gonzalez, and their seventh round pick to the St. Louis Rams for cornerback Tye Hill.
The Falcons preseason schedule was announced on March 31, 2010.
The Falcons began their season at Heinz Field for an interconference duel against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers were without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who was suspended for the first four games of the season. Dennis Dixon started in his place. The Steelers received the opening kick and drove 42 yards in 11 plays with Dixon going 4/4 for 21 yards on the drive, that led to Steelers kicker Jeff Reed nailing a 52-yard field goal, the longest field goal in Heinz Field history. The Falcons offense was non-existent almost entirely in the first half, going three-and- out on their first two drives. In the second quarter, following the Falcons second punt, the Steelers drove 28 yards to the Falcons 35, but Dixon was intercepted by Falcons linebacker Mike Petersen. The Falcons drove 44 yards to the Steelers 28, but Matt Bryant missed a 46-yard field goal. Jeff Reed then missed a 55-yarder. The Falcons drove 24 yards to the Steelers 31-yard line, and Bryant was successful from 48 yards out as the game went to halftime tied at 3-3.
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