2010 NFL Regular Season: The Atlanta Falcons 10 Most Important Plays
If the regular season had those two extra games in the 18 game NFL regular season proposal, the Falcons fans (and I) could not take it.
Throughout the season there have been many down-to-the-wire games that were decided in the last minute or overtime.
In these games there usually was at least one play that changed the entire game, for better or for worse.
Although the Falcons were trampled in the playoffs, they still had a memorable regular season.
For the Falcons, this was one great season. They beat great teams, had great moments, and had fun.
These plays were part of the great season. Some of the plays are obvious, others not so much. But overall these plays made a difference in the season and eventually led to a division championship and the No. 1 Seed in the playoffs.
Enjoy.
10. Rashard Mendenhall's 50 Yard Run in OT
1 of 10
This play is one of the few negative moments in Atlanta's season, which is why it is at No. 10.
However, it still was the only huge play in that entire game. The rest of the game had been an offensive stalemate for both teams, and only one huge play would be needed for either team to win.
Atlanta had squandered their fortunate coin toss in overtime, giving the ball right back to the home team.
And on the first offensive play of the Steelers, Mendenhall broke free down the sideline. Atlanta immediately lost once he touched the end-zone.
Instead of giving Atlanta's offense one more chance, their defense gave up the deciding blow.
9. Michael Koenen's Punt To The Saints With 2:44 Left
2 of 10
While this may look insignificant on paper, it turned out to be the nail on Atlanta's coffin in a heated rivalry game.
Atlanta had a 4th and 6 on the ATL 43 yard line with 2:44 seconds left, but with only 2 timeouts left and a hot New Orleans offense coming off a long touchdown drive, Mike Smith elected to punt instead of going for it, even when down by three points in an important divisional rivalry game.
Although the defense had been playing spectacularly for the first three quarters, it had begun to get tired while the Saints offense got hot.
But Mike Smith still had faith in his defense, which turned to be the downfall of the team.
In retrospect, this game turned out to be nothing more than a highly publicized war of tongues, but at that time it was one of the most important games of the year. Due to its overall lack of influence on Atlanta's playoff berth, it is at No. 9.
8. Matt Bryant's Game Winning Field Goal Against San Francisco
3 of 10
The first positive Falcons play in this list!
This play came after a lackluster game by the Falcons in which they only scored one touchdown in four quarters and had allowed San Francisco a fast start.
However, the defense did finally gain control and only gave up a total of 14 points the entire game, allowing for a spectacular comeback. With the 49ers up 14 to 13 in the 4th quarter, this is what led to the clutch play:
Atlanta had the ball with 1:22 left at their own 8 yard line. But, as so commonly done throughout the rest of season, they calmly drove the ball down to the 49ers' 25 yard line in 17 plays.
With seven seconds remaining, Matt Bryant drove the football between the goalposts to give the Falcons a 16-14 edge. And this turned out to be the first of multiple game-winning field goals by Bryant in the season.
.png?w=256)
7. Brent Grimes' Interception Of Josh Freeman
4 of 10
Atlanta had taken the lead after a great drive led by Matt Ryan after being down 28-24 with 4:31 left on the clock in the fourth quarter against the division rivals Tampa Bay.
However, the Bucs did not back down. Instead, they began to throw consistently down the field with their second-year quarterback Josh Freeman.
At the rate they were moving down the field, they would have scored easily. But, Atlanta's defense stepped in not a moment too soon.
The Bucs had just converted a 4th and 12, and had a fresh set of downs with less than two minutes left at the ATL 27 yard line.
In the shotgun, Freeman stepped up and threw the ball towards Mike Williams on the right sidelines. Unfortunately for Freeman, Brent Grimes was right there as well.
He dove for the ball and caught it just off the grass and ran for 33 yards. Game over for the Bucs. They only had one timeout left, the Falcons had it at the Tampa 33 yard line. Grimes' pick was one of the most clutch defensive plays for the Falcons all season.
6. Kroy Biermann's Pick Six Against The Browns
5 of 10
Talk about a momentum changer.
The Browns were only down by three in their home stadium with four minutes left. They did have a 3rd and 7 to convert, but it was somewhat manageable. The Falcons had been playing poorly in their standards and needed a big play to help cushion their lead.
Kroy Biermann gave them just that.
Like in most 3rd and long situations, the Brown's quarterback, Jake Dehlomme, was in the shotgun formation. He was alone in the backfield, but did not have much protection up front.
Biermann rushed through and was able to get in front of Dehlomme. The quarterback, realizing that he was going to be sacked, tried to get rid of the ball.
But Biermann jumped up and tipped the ball in the air. He dove for it and caught it, got back up, and ran all the way to the end zone for a Falcons touchdown.
This play was spectacular in its own right, as well as being important to the game at hand. It sealed the deal for the Falcons, giving them a needed road win.
5. Matt Bryant's Field Goal To Beat The Saints in OT
6 of 10
This was one of the most clutch kicks that was made this season.
The circumstances were pressuring: It was on the road in one of the most hostile stadiums in the NFL, it was against the defending Super Bowl champions, it was against the Falcon's biggest rival, and it was in overtime.
Talk about a demanding situation. To add to the pressure, the Falcons committed a false start penalty, making the distance even longer for Bryant.
The fact that he had the opportunity to even kick it is amazing.
The last series, New Orleans had driven it to the ATL 11 yard line and had a first down. But, for some strange reason, Sean Payton elected to kick the field goal instead of trying to get into the end zone.
Then, an anomaly happened. The Saints kicker, Garrett Hartley, chipped it to the left and missed.
This gave Atlanta new life, and resulted in a drive all the way to the New Orleans 28, where they set up to kick the game-winning field goal. And Bryant came through and nailed the football through the uprights.
4. Eric Weems' Kickoff Return Against Tampa Bay
7 of 10
The Falcons had been down against the Buccaneers since the beginning of the 3rd quarter, and had not been playing well. In the beginning of the 4th quarter Tampa increased their lead to 10, pressuring the Falcons even more.
But they responded with their own touchdown. And this touchdown came in spectacular fashion.
Eric Weems caught the ball two yards deep in the end zone, but, instead of taking a knee, ran it out.
This turned out to be a great decision.
He ran up the right side of the field, and into a bunch of Tampa defenders. But he did not give up. He ran through multiple tackles, and found a small lane on the sideline.
Weems was able to keep his feet and he ran through even more tackles, eventually making it to the end zone.
This score allowed the Falcons to eventually come back and beat the home team, making this play both amazing and important.
3. Atlanta's Goal Line Stand Against The Bucs
8 of 10
The entire game (except for special teams) had been dominated by the Falcons. Atlanta's offense scored at times with ease, while their defense did not allow much.
But only being down by six because of a special teams touchdown by Tampa Bay, the Bucs began a long, hard drive with 10 minutes left in the Georgia Dome.
They started at their own nine yard line, but this was not a problem.
Josh Freeman made great throws to his receivers, and his running backs made some long runs. They eventually made it to the Atlanta 11 yard line with a first down. They ran it down the middle until they had a 4th and 1 on the ATL two yard line.
Tampa took their last time out to prepare for their next play, stopping the clock with two and a half minutes left.
But their next play did not turn out to be as they had hoped.
Freeman handed the ball off to their rookie running back LeGarrette Blount, who bounced out to the right, hoping to find a hole to squeeze through. But instead he was met by Thomas Decoud and Coy Wire. He could not break their tackle and was forced to the ground. This play saved the game for the Falcons.
2. Roddy White's 33 Yard Touchdown Grab Against The Ravens
9 of 10
Another close game against a top-tier opponent.
The Falcons were at home against the 6-2 Ravens. The game had been dominated by the Falcons for the entire first half, but the Ravens had made a spectacular comeback.
Joe Flacco led the Ravens on a 72 yard touchdown drive that left only 1:05 on the clock and gave them a 21-20 advantage. It then became time for the Falcons to do what they did all season: Pull the game out of the fire.
The Falcon's offense started at their own 20 yard line. At first Ryan could not find his receivers, but on third down he made a great throw to Michael Jenkins on the sideline for 24 yards.
After that they started making more plays, and soon found themselves in Baltimore territory. Then, with under 30 seconds to go, Ryan threw a ball to Roddy White, who found it after pushing and shoving with his defender and ran all the way to the end-zone.
This sealed the Falcon's victory that night, and was a momentous play in the Falcon's season.
1. Roddy White's Strip Of The Ball Against San Francisco
10 of 10
Although the game was against a sub-par opponent, this play was both amazing and led to a last second, game winning field goal by Matt Bryant.
If White had not done the unthinkable and stripped the ball, the 49ers would have won because they already had the lead, they would have been in field goal range, and there was only one minute left. The loss for the Falcons would have been a huge momentum killer after coming off a huge victory in New Orleans a week before.
But Roddy did not let that happen.
The Falcons had the ball with 1:22 left and on their own 8 yard line. The offense at first got off to a slow start, but soon started to make some plays. They were able to make it to their own 46 yard line and things were looking brighter for the Falcons.
But then Ryan made a mistake.
He threw an interception to Nate Clements on the right sideline. Clements then started running back, with the Falcon's offense in pursuit.
He was at the Atlanta 10 yard line when Roddy White ran behind him a stripped the ball out from Clement's hands.
There was a mad scramble for the ball, and eventually one of Atlanta's offensive linemen, Harvey Dahl, cames up with it. Then, the Falcons drove the ball down the field and got into field goal range. Matt Bryant came through again and won the game for the Falcons with a last second field goal.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "NFL Combine Football")
.JPEG?w=600 "Best Late-Round Draft Steals ‼️")
.jpg?w=600 "Undrafted Free Agent Tracker ✍️")
.jpg?w=600 "Joe Schoen May Be on Hot Seat")