The Atlanta Falcons are a professional football team that joined the National Football League (NFL) as an expansion team in 1965. Since its inception, the franchise has a record of 298-402-6, winning NFC South division championships in 1980, 1998, 2004 and 2010. The team appeared Super Bowl XXXIII in 1999, where it lost 34-19 to the Denver Broncos.
The Falcons were born of a dispute about which type of professional football team should play in Atlanta's Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium: an NFL team or an American Football League (AFL) team. With some convincing from NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle, Atlanta chose the former. Under the ownership Rankin Smith Sr., the Falcons' first day as a franchise was June 30, 1965.
Success in the 70's and 80's
Despite drafting acclaimed linebacker Tommy Nobis before their first season in 1966, the franchise finished the 1960's by notching a dismal 12 wins in four years. But their record improved in the 1970's, and in 1971, they had their first winning season. In 1978, the squad won its first playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles, and then lost to the Dallas Cowboys 27-20 the following week.
Building on their success in the 70's, the squad began the 80's on a tear, posting a then franchise record 12 wins-nine of which were consecutive-in 1980. But after capturing their first NFC West division title, their Super Bowl hopes were again dashed by the Cowboys in a 30-24 loss. In 1989, the franchise made a precipitous move by drafting the enigmatic corner back "Neon Deon" Sanders.
The 90's Begin with Sanders
Sanders, a two-sport athlete who also played major league baseball, did more than help the franchise on the field. His colorful personality also attracted a new, young fan base that improved the team's fortunes through increased ticket and merchandise sales and better TV contracts. Even so, the 90's Falcons biggest field accomplishments would be moving to the Georgia Dome in 1992 and playing in Super Bowl XXXIII in 1999, where they lost to the Broncos.
The 2000s Begin with Vick
Like Sanders in the early 90's, Michael Vick-a quarter back with superior rushing ability-would ensure that the Falcons' ticket and merchandise sales and TV appearances remained lucrative. But the Falcons would never see a Super Bowl victory with Vick as quarterback, his tenure ending in tragedy after he plead guilty to dog fighting charges in the state of Virginia in 2007. The Falcons would ultimately replace Vick with first round draft pick Matt Ryan, winner of the 2008 Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.
Winning and Losing in 2010
In 2010, the squad posted an impressive record of 13-3-its best in the new millennium-but lost a surreal divisional playoff game 48-21 against the Green Bay Packers, with the Packers reeling off an unanswered 35 points after the Falcons' hot start. As Atlanta sports writer Leo Wells points out in his blog, the squad projects to have a fine season again in 2011-2012.
