2018 Atlanta Falcons season


The 2018 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 53rd in the National Football League, their second playing their home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and their fourth under head coach Dan Quinn. The Falcons attempted to be the first team to play the Super Bowl in their home stadium as an expected Super Bowl contender. However, the Falcons were riddled with injuries, losing 7 starters to IR with the Falcons stumbling to a 1–4 start.
Following a 31–17 loss to the Saints in Week 12, the Falcons fell to 4–7 and failed to improve on their 10–6 campaign from 2017. With a 34–20 loss to the Green Bay Packers, the Falcons fell to 4–9 and suffered their first losing season since the 2014 season. Despite beating the Arizona Cardinals 40–14 in Week 15, the Falcons were eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since 2015 with a win by the Minnesota Vikings. However, they were able to end their season with a 3 game win streak to finish 7–9.

Roster changes

Free agents

Unrestricted

Draft

RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
126Calvin RidleyWRAlabama
258Isaiah OliverCBColorado
390Deadrin SenatDTSouth Florida
4126Ito SmithRBSouthern Miss
6194Russell GageWRLSUfrom Los Angeles Rams
6200Foyesade OluokunLBYale

Draft trades

Final roster

Preseason

The Falcons' preseason opponents and schedule was announced on April 11.
WeekDateOpponentResultRecordGame siteNFL.com
recap
1at New York JetsL 0–170–1MetLife Stadium
2Kansas City ChiefsL 14–280–2Mercedes-Benz Stadium
3at Jacksonville JaguarsL 6–170–3EverBank Field
4Miami DolphinsL 7–340–4Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Regular season

Schedule

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: at Philadelphia Eagles

NFL Kickoff Game

Week 2: vs. Carolina Panthers

Week 3: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week 4: vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Week 5: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 6: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 7: vs. New York Giants

Week 9: at Washington Redskins

Week 10: at Cleveland Browns

Week 11: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Week 12: at New Orleans Saints

NFL on Thanksgiving Day

Week 13: vs. Baltimore Ravens

Week 14: at Green Bay Packers

Matt Ryan eclipsed 4,000 yards, becoming the third quarterback in NFL history to reach 4,000 in at least eight consecutive seasons, joining Drew Brees & Peyton Manning. Julio Jones eclipsed 1,400 yards and became the first player in NFL history to register five consecutive seasons with at least 1,400 yards.

Week 15: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Despite this win, the loss by Miami to Minnesota eliminated the Falcons from post-season contention and once again assures that the Super Bowl host team will not play the championship game on their own field.

Week 16: at Carolina Panthers

Week 17: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Standings

Division

Conference