2004 Atlanta Falcons season - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Roster

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Results		Attendance
Week	Date	Opponent	Final score	Team record	Attendance
1	September 12	at San Francisco 49ers San Francisco 49ers The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...	W 21–19	1–0	65,584
2	September 19	St. Louis Rams St. Louis Rams The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...	W 34–17	2–0	70,822
3	September 26	Arizona Cardinals Arizona Cardinals The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...	W 6–3	3–0	70,534
4	October 3	at Carolina Panthers Carolina Panthers The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...	W 27–10	4–0	73,461
5	October 10	Detroit Lions Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...	L 10–17	4–1	70,434
6	October 17	San Diego Chargers San Diego Chargers The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...	W 21–20	5–1	70,187
7	October 24	at Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City Chiefs The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...	L 10–56	5–2	78,260
8	October 31	at Denver Broncos Denver Broncos The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...	W 41–28	6–2	75,083
9	Bye Bye (sports) A bye, in sports and other competitive activities, most commonly refers to the practice of allowing a player or team to advance to the next round of a playoff tournament without playing...
10	November 14	Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...	W 24–14	7–2	70,810
11	November 21	at New York Giants New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...	W 14–10	8–2	78,793
12	November 28	New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....	W 24–21	9–2	70,521
13	December 5	at Tampa Bay Buccaneers	L 0–27	9–3	65,556
14	December 12	Oakland Raiders Oakland Raiders The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...	W 35–10	10–3	70,616
15	December 18	Carolina Panthers	W 34–31 (OT)	11–3	70,845
16	December 26	at New Orleans Saints	L 13–26	11–4	64,900
17	January 2	at Seattle Seahawks Seattle Seahawks The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...	L 26–28	11–5	66,740

Week 1

The Falcons began their season by traveling to San Francisco, where Falcons head coach Jim L. Mora

Jim L. Mora

James Lawrence "Jim" Mora is an American former NCAA defensive back and National Football League head coach. As of 2010, he is currently an analyst for the NFL Network....

had coached the last five years as the 49ers defensive coordinator, to play the San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...

. The Falcons scored first with a 15 yard touchdown pass from Michael Vick

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...

to Alge Crumpler

Alge Crumpler

-Atlanta Falcons:Crumpler was drafted by the Falcons in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. Crumpler made the first start of his NFL career against the Carolina Panthers on September 23, 2001. He caught his first two passes for a total of 13 yards. His first touchdown was scored against the...

.In the second quarter the Falcons scored again with a two yard touchdown run by Warrick Dunn

Warrick Dunn

Warrick De'Mon Dunn is a former American football running back, and current minority owner of the Atlanta Falcons. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12th overall in the 1997 NFL Draft, after playing college football at Florida State...

. Dunn ran for a second rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter this one from nine yards out. The 49ers did battle back with two touchdown passes from Tim Rattay

Tim Rattay

Timothy F. Rattay [] is a former professional American football quarterback who played in the National Football League and United Football League. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the seventh round of the 2000 NFL Draft...

late in the fourth quarter. At the end of the game the 49ers could have tied the game at 21points with a two point conversion. There attempt at a two point conversion failed as Tim Rattay

Tim Rattay

’s pass to Brandon Lloyd

Brandon Lloyd

Brandon Matthew Lloyd is an American football wide receiver for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...

was defended by Rod Coleman

Rod Coleman

Roderick Dwayne Coleman is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the fifth round of the 1999 NFL Draft...

. Tight end Alge Crumpler

Alge Crumpler

finished the game with 6 receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown; at that time it was Crumpler’s second best game of his career

Week 2

For the Falcons home opener the 1-0 St. Louis Rams

St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...

came to the Georgia Dome

Georgia Dome

The Georgia Dome is a domed stadium located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, between downtown to the east and Vine City to the west. It is primarily the home stadium for the NFL Atlanta Falcons and the NCAA Division I FCS Georgia State Panthers football team. It is owned and operated by the...

to take on the 1-0 Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

.The Falcons started their second drive of the game from their own 18 yard line when Michael Vick

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...

dumped a pass off to his full back Justin Griffith

Justin Griffith

Justin Montrel Griffith is an American football fullback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...

. Griffith took the ball all the way to the St. Louis 20 for a 62 yard gain. 4 plays later Vick found Griffith again this time for a 3 yard touchdown pass to give the Falcons the lead 7 to 0. In the second quarter Vick set up the Falcons second score of the game, with a 14 yard run to the St. Louis 2 yard line. Vick’s run was followed by Warrick Dunn

Warrick Dunn

scoring the Falcons second touchdown of the game. After Jay Feely

Jay Feely

Thomas James "Jay" Feely is an American football placekicker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. Jay played for the Temple Terrace Spirit Soccer team that won the National Championships when he was 16....

’s extra point the falcons had the lead 14 to 0. On the following drive the Ram’s offence moved the ball 82 yards to the Falcon’s 1 yard line where Marshall Faulk

Marshall Faulk

Marshall William Faulk is a former American football running back who played in the National Football League. He is currently an analyst for NFL Total Access, Thursday Night Football, and NFL GameDay Morning on the NFL Network...

caped of the drive with a 1 yard touchdown run. Vick and the Falcons got the ball back with 1:06 left before half time. Vick’s 3 rushes on the drive for 20, 14, and 18 yards put Falcons kicker Jay Feely

Jay Feely

in range for a 35 yard field goal with 6 seconds left in the half. The Falcon’s went in to half time with a 10 point lead. In the third quarter Ram’s QB Mark Bulger completed 4 of 5 passes as he moved the ball down the field on an 80 yard touchdown drive. The drive was capped off with a 33 yard touchdown pass to Tory Holt, which cut the Falcons lead 3 points. Later in the third quarter the rams tied the when Jeff Wilkins

Jeff Wilkins

For the American basketball player, see Jeff Wilkins .Jeffrey Allen Wilkins nicknamed "Money" is a former American football placekicker in the National Football League for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles and St Louis Rams. He played college football at Youngstown State University...

hit a 46 yard field goal to make the score 17 to 17. On the next drive Vick completed 3 of his 4 pass attempts for 48 yards. He then set up another Warrick Dunn

Warrick Dunn

2 yard touchdown run with a 7 yard rush from the St. Louis 9 yard line. Because of a taunting penalty on the kick off the rams started their ensuing drive on their own 10 yard line. On first down Patrick Kerney

Patrick Kerney

-Atlanta Falcons:Kerney was drafted as the thirtieth overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, wearing the number 97 jersey. The Falcons signed Kerney to a 5-year $5.6 million contract. As a rookie, Kerney started two games and recorded 25 tackles and 2.5 sacks...

sacked Ram’s QB Mark Bulger at the St. Louis 1 yard line. Backed up at their own 1 yard line Bulger and the Rams wanted to try to make a big play(after the game Bulger said “I was going for a home run,”). When Bulger dropped back to pass in his own end zone Falcon’s defensive end Brady Smith got in to the back field, and took the ball right from Bulger’s hand for a touchdown. Bulger almost got the pass off for what could have been a 99 yard touchdown for the Rams. "I was a half-second away from letting the ball go. ... It could have been a touchdown the other way." Said Bulger after the game. The Falcons kicked one more field goal before the game ended to make the final score Falcons 34, Rams 17. . For the third time in his career Vick ran for more than 100 yards in a game; he finished the game with 109. For the second week in a row Warrick Dunn

Warrick Dunn

ran for 2 touchdowns .

Week 3

In week 3 the winless Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

came to the Georgia Dome to play the unbeaten Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

. On the Falcons first drive, running back Warrick Dunn

Warrick Dunn

ran for a 60 yard gain that put the Falcons at the Arizona 8 yard line. 4 plays after the long Warrick Dunn

Warrick Dunn

run the Falcons took the lead (3 to 0) with a 25 yard Jay Feely

Jay Feely

field goal. Early in the second quarter Arizona punter Scott Player

Scott Player

Scott Darwin Player is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Birmingham Barracudas as a street free agent in 1995...

punted the ball to Falcons’ punt and kick returner Allen Rossum

Allen Rossum

Allen Bonshaca Lamont Rossum is an American football cornerback and return specialist who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft...

. Rossum returned the punt 30 yards to give the Falcons great field position at the Arizona 39 yard line. The Falcons were unable to score a touchdown on the drive, but Feely did kick a 23 yard field goal to make the score 6 to 0. Late in the second quarter Falcons’ defensive tackle Rod Coleman

Rod Coleman

Roderick Dwayne Coleman is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the fifth round of the 1999 NFL Draft...

sacked and forced a fumble by Cardinals’ quarterback Josh McCown

Josh McCown

Joshua Treadwell McCown is an American football quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Sam Houston State.McCown has played for the Detroit Lions, Oakland...

. Cloeman also recovered the fumble to give the Falcons the ball at the Arizona 13 yard line. The Falcons were unable to capitalize on the turnover, and Michael Vick

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...

fumbled at the Arizona 8 yard line, which gave the Cardinals the ball back with 27 seconds left in the first half. After the Falcons punted on their first possession to start the second half 4 consecutive drives ended in turnovers:
• Coleman recorded his second forced fumble of the game
• On the ensuing Falcons drive Vick fumbled for the second time
• Falcons’ defensive end Brady Smith

Brady Smith (American football)

Brady McKay Smith is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft...

forced a third McCown fumble
• 2 plays later Vick was intercepted by Cardinals’ safety Adrian Wilson
Wilson’s interception gave the Cardinals’ great field possession. The Cardinals were only able to gain 6 yards on the drive, but Neil Rackers

Neil Rackers

Neil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...

30 yard field goal shrunk the Falcons’ lead to 3 points. Later in the fourth quarter both teams fumbled again. Dunn fumbled at his own 21 yard line which put Arizona in range to kick a game tying field goal, but 2 plays later Arizona wide receiver Karl Williams

Karl Williams

Karl "The Truth" Williams is a former professional American football player who played wide receiver for nine seasons for the Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He currently plays in the Arena Football League for the Tampa Bay Storm. His nickname was The Truth.His cousin, Mondray Gee, is...

fumbled, which gave the ball to Atlanta. On the Falcons final drive, Vick sealed the victory with a 58 yard run. The rush was the longest of Vick’s career. After the game Vick admitted he was thinking about more than winning the game during his 58 yard run. "I was thinking about getting the first down and getting out of bounds… but then I was thinking about the type of game I was having and decided I can make something happen. I wanted to score,” said Vick.

Week 4

In week 4 the still unbeaten Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

traveled to Carolina to play the 1 and 1 Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...

. In the Falcons’ first drive of the game Michael Vick

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...

completed his first pass to wide receiver Dez White

Dez White

Edward Dezmon White is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League. White was originally selected in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, then had a brief stint with the Atlanta Falcons. White played college football for the Georgia Tech Yellow...

for 19 yards, and his second to Justin Griffith

Justin Griffith

Justin Montrel Griffith is an American football fullback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...

for 18. Vick’s passes were followed by a 38 yard touchdown run by Warrick Dunn

Warrick Dunn

which gave the Falcons’ an early lead (7 to 0). On the next drive Carolina wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad

Muhsin Muhammad

Muhsin Muhammad II is a retired American football wide receiver who played for the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Panthers in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft...

had two big receptions for 34 and 23 yard gains. Following Muhammad’s 23 yard catch, running back DeShaun Foster

DeShaun Foster

DeShaun Xavier Foster is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at UCLA.-Early years:...

scored on a 1 yard touchdown run. Foster’s run tied the game at 7 points. The first quarter action continued Atlanta tight end Alge Crumpler

Alge Crumpler

caught 3 passes from Vick, for 17, 5, and, 24 yard gains, that put the Falcons in range for Jay Feely

Jay Feely

to kick a 47 yard field goal, which put the Falcons back on top 10 to 7. Early in the second quarter the Falcons put together another good drive which resulted in a successful Feely Field goal attempt. Feely’s 2nd field goal extended the Falcons’ lead to 6 points, and capped off the Falcons third consecutive scouring drive. Late in the first half Carolina quarterback Jake Delhomme

Jake Delhomme

Jake Christopher Delhomme is an American football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. Delhomme played college football at Louisiana-Lafayette before being signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 1997...

completed 8 of 9 passes to put Carolina kicker John Kasay

John Kasay

John David Kasay is an American football kicker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 1991 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia...

in range to hit a 26 yard field goal with 46 seconds left in the half. Kasay’s kick brought the score to 13 to 10 going in to half time. Neither team scored again until early in the fourth quarter when Falcon defensive back Kevin Mathis

Kevin Mathis

Kevin Bryant Mathis is an American football cornerback in the National Football League who is currently a free agent. He has played for the Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, and the Atlanta Falcons...

intercepted a Delhomme pass, and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown. Later in the fourth quarter Carolina punter Todd Sauerbrun

Todd Sauerbrun

Todd Scott Sauerbrun is an American football punter who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 1995 NFL Draft...

punted the ball to Atlanta return man Allen Rossum

Allen Rossum

who returned the punt 25 yards to the Carolina 40 yard line. Following the return by Rossum, Atlanta turned to running back T.J. Duckett. Duckett carried the ball 5 times for 36 yards, the last of which was a 4 yard touchdown. Duckett’s touchdown gave the Falcons a 17 point lead with only 4:16 left in the ball game. The panthers were unable to score in the last 4 minutes, and the Falcons won 27 to 10. After the game Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers

Julius Peppers

Julius Frazier Peppers is an American football defensive end for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. Nicknamed The Freak of Nature, he was drafted by the Carolina Panthers second overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...

spoke about how they might have paid too much attention to Vick. "We get sidetracked as a team, as a defensive unit, in thinking we've got to stop one person. There's 10 other people out there ... if you focus on just one, someone else will kill you," said Peppers after the game.

Week 5

In week 5, the Falcons played the Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...

at the Georgia Dome

Georgia Dome

. The Lions came in to the game with 2 wins and 1 loss, and the Falcons were at a perfect 4 wins and 0 losses. Neither team scored until the Falcons’ first drive of the second quarter. On fourth and 6, at their own 36 yard line, the Falcons faked a punt, and punter Chris Mohr

Chris Mohr

Christopher Garrett Mohr is a former American football punter. Mohr grew up in Thomson, Georgia, where he played football at Briarwood Academy. He was recruited by the University of Alabama, where he was the team's starting punter for three years...

completed a 26 yard pass to wide receiver Brian Finneran

Brian Finneran

Brian Finneran is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1998...

. 4 plays later the Falcons faced another fourth down. With 5 yards to go for the first down, Michael Vick

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...

completed a 10 yard pass to Finneran for the first down. With the help of some fourth down conversions and Detroit penalties the Falcons managed to find the end zone when Warrick Dunn

Warrick Dunn

scored on a 2 yard touchdown run. Detroit followed with a scouring drive of their own when Lions’ quarterback Joey Harrington

Joey Harrington

John Joseph "Joey" Harrington, Jr. is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions third overall in the 2002 NFL Draft, where he played for most of his professional career. He ranks third all-time in Detroit history in pass completions, with 986...

completed a 39 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Az-Zahir Hakim

Az-Zahir Hakim

Az-Zahir Ali Hakim is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL Draft...

. The Hakim touchdown evened the score at 7. The Falcons got the ball back with 3:20 left in the half. The first play of the Falcons’ drive was also their last. Vick threw an interception to Lions’ linebacker Alex Lewis

Alex Lewis

Alex Lewis is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Wisconsin where he currently holds the record for most sacks in a game with 6.5 on October 18, 2003 vs. Purdue...

who returned the ball to the Atlanta 2 yard line. 3 plays after the interception Detroit running back Artose Pinner

Artose Pinner

Artose Deonce Pinner is an American football running back who is currently a free-agent. He was originally drafted by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...

ran in for a 1 yard touchdown that gave the Lions a 7 point advantage. The Falcons got the ball back with less than 2 minutes left in the half. Vick completed a 49 yard pass to wide receiver Peerless Price

Peerless Price

Peerless Jilo Price is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Bills in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft...

, but 4 plays later the Falcons turned the ball over after an unsuccessful fourth down conversion. The teams went in to half time with the Lions winning 14 to 7. The only scoring in the third quarter was a 23 yard field goal by Jason Hanson

Jason Hanson

Jason Douglas Hanson is an American football placekicker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League, where he has spent his entire 20 year career. He was drafted by the Lions in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft...

. The field goal was setup by Atlanta return man Allen Rossum

Allen Rossum

who muffed a punt to give the Lions the ball at Atlanta’s 16 yard line. Atlanta kicked another field goal before the game ended. . The Falcons lost 10 to 17. It was the Falcons’ first loss of the 2004 season. Vick fumbled 3 times in the loss and had this to say about it after the game: “I was caught up looking for receivers and got careless with the ball. The bottom line is I should have had the ball tucked away."

Week 6

The Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

came into week 6 trying to avoid back to back losses. Their opponent in week 6 was the San Diego Chargers

San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...

who were 3 and 2. The Falcons scored first when Michael Vick

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...

completed a 19 yard touchdown pass to Alge Crumpler

Alge Crumpler

in the second quarter. The touchdown gave the Falcons the lead 7 to 0. On the next drive San Diego quarterback Drew Brees

Drew Brees

Drew Christopher Brees is a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue....

completed 2 passes to wide receiver Eric Parker for 15 and 14 yards. Parker’s receptions helped move the Chargers to the 1 yard line where running back LaDainian Tomlinson

LaDainian Tomlinson

LaDainian Tramayne Tomlinson is an American football running back for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers fifth overall in the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas Christian.Tomlinson, often referred to by his initials, L...

scored, on a 1 yard touchdown rush, to tie the game at 7 points. The Falcons got the ball back with 1:13 left before half time, but their drive was ended when Vick threw an interception to Chargers corner back Drayton Florence

Drayton Florence

Drayton Florence, Jr. is an American football cornerback for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft...

. The interception gave the Chargers the ball at Atlanta’s 39 yard line, and it only took Brees 3 plays find Parker for a 17 yard touchdown pass. At half time the Chargers were winning 14 to 7. The Chargers extended their lead in the third quarter when kicker Nate Kaeding

Nate Kaeding

Nathaniel James Kaeding is an American football placekicker who plays for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chargers in the 2004 NFL Draft in the 3rd round with a pick acquired from the Phillip Rivers-Eli Manning trade. He played college football at Iowa...

hit a 53 yard field goal to make the score 17 to 7. Early in the fourth quarter Vick completed a 50 yard pass to wide receiver Peerless Price

Peerless Price

Peerless Jilo Price is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Bills in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft...

. 3 plays later Vick ran for a 14 yard touchdown, which made the score 17 to 14. The Falcons defense then forced the Chargers to punt the ball back to the Falcons. Atlanta got the ball back at the Chargers’ 47 yard line. 3 plays after the punt, Vick threw a 32 yard touchdown to wide receiver Dez White

Dez White

. Vick’s second touchdown pass of the game gave the Falcons a 4 point lead. The Chargers kicked a field goal on their next possession which brought them within one point of the Falcons. The Falcons got the ball back with 5:55 left in the game. They held on to the ball for the rest of the game, and they won 21 to 20. The Falcons sixth game was their fifth win of the year. In 2003 the Falcons did not get 5 wins until their 17th game. "Michael Vick did what Michael Vick can do, and that's run all over the place with the ball and create first downs," San Diego head coach Marty Schottenheimer

Marty Schottenheimer

Martin Edward "Marty" Schottenheimer is the current head coach of the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. Over his career, he has served as head coach of the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Washington Redskins, and San Diego Chargers. He has the most wins of any NFL coach...

commented.

Week 7

In week 7, the 5-1 Falcons traveled to Kansas City to play the 1-4 Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...

. On the Falcons first drive Michael Vick’s 32 yard run got the Falcons into field goal Range, and 3 plays later the Falcons scored when kicker Jay Feely

Jay Feely

hit a 19 yard field goal to give the Falcons the lead 3 to 0. On the Chiefs first offensive play from scrimmage Falcons defensive tackle Ed Jasper

Ed Jasper

Edward Jasper is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas A&M....

forced and recovered a fumble by Chiefs running back Priest Holmes

Priest Holmes

Priest Anthony Holmes is a former American football running back of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 1997. He played college football at Texas.Holmes earned a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens in Super Bowl XXXV...

. The Falcons were unable to capitalize on the turnover, and turned the ball over on downs 4 plays later. The Chiefs were able to get points from the Falcons’ turn over. On the Chiefs drive following the turnover, Holmes ran for 38 yards on 4 rushes including a 15 yard touchdown run which gave the Chiefs the lead 7 to 3. Later in the first quarter Michael Vick

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...

was intercepted by Chiefs defensive back Greg Wesley

Greg Wesley

Gregory Lashon Wesley is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2000 NFL Draft...

. When the Chiefs got the ball back, after the interception, Holmes quickly got his team in to the red zone when he took a pass from quarterback Trent Green

Trent Green

Trent Jason Green is a retired professional American football quarterback. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the eighth round of the 1993 NFL Draft. He played college football at Indiana University....

33 yards to the Atlanta 7 yard line. One play after Holmes’ reception Chiefs running back Derrick Blaylock

Derrick Blaylock

Derrick Blaylock is an American football running back in the National Football League who is currently a free agent.-High school career:...

scored on a 7 yard touchdown run. The Falcons fell behind 14 to 3. Holmes scored on the Chiefs next 2 possessions which extended the Chiefs’ lead to a huge 25 point margin (28 to 3). Before the half was over Holmes scored again giving the Chiefs a 35 to 3 lead. The Chiefs got the ball back after half time, but were forced to punt. They punted the ball away to Allen Rossum

Allen Rossum

who returned it 75 yards for a touchdown. Rossum’s return was the only touchdown the Falcons scored the entire game. The Chiefs followed Rossum’s return with an 80 yard scoring drive which was capped off by Blaylock’s second touchdown of the game. The Falcons could not answer back. On their next drive the Falcons turned the ball over on downs again. Following the Atlanta turnover the Chiefs again drove the ball down the field, and Blaylock scored his 3rd touchdown. The Falcons next 2 drives ended in failed fourth down conversions. The Chiefs final drive of the game ended with Blaylock’s 4th rushing touchdown of the game. The final score was 56 to 10. Both Holmes and Blaylock scored 4 rushing touchdowns in the game. The Falcons only gained 222 total yards which was their worst total in the 2004 season. The Falcons also gave up 271 rushing yards which was also their worst total for the season. The Chiefs 8 rushing touch downs set a new NFL record. Blaylock commented on the record setting day after the game, "They had, like, the No. 1 rushing defense, but once we started moving the ball on them we just kept moving the ball. We got in a rhythm. And eight touchdowns later, we've got the record." Falcons coach Jim Mora

Jim L. Mora

James Lawrence "Jim" Mora is an American former NCAA defensive back and National Football League head coach. As of 2010, he is currently an analyst for the NFL Network....

could only joke about the circumstance, "I am honored to be a part of history. We have done a tremendous job of stopping the run. So it just emphasized how well they played. Their O-line was doing such an excellent, tremendous job, it might not have mattered who was in there."

Week 8

In week 8 the 5-2 Falcons went to Denver to play the 5-2 Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...

. The Broncos began the game with a 69 yard scoring drive that ended with a 1 yard touchdown pass from Jake Plummer

Jake Plummer

Jason Steven "Jake" Plummer is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arizona State....

to tight end Patrick Hape

Patrick Hape

Patrick Hape is a former American football fullback and tight end for the Denver Broncos, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Houston Texans of the NFL.Patrick Hape played 4 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a tight end, and 5 seasons with the Denver Broncos, although he did not play in 2005...

. On the Falcons first drive, Michael Vick

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...

broke away for a 44 yard run which got the Falcons to the Denver 23 yard line. The Falcons were forced to settle for a field goal which made the score 7 to 3. Denver got the ball back and it only took one play for Plummer to find wide receiver Rod Smith for a 80 yard touchdown pass. Smith’s reception made the score 14 to 3. Early in the second quarter the Falcons got their first touchdown of the game when T.J. Duckett scored on a 21 yard touchdown run. The Broncos next drive ended in a turnover. Falcons’ defensive end Patrick Kerney

Patrick Kerney

intercepted Plummer. Following Kerney’s Interception Atlanta scored again when Vick threw a 34 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Peerless Price

Peerless Price

Peerless Jilo Price is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Bills in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft...

. Price’s touchdown gave Atlanta the lead and made the score 17 to 14. Later in the second quarter Atlanta line backer Keith Brooking

Keith Brooking

Keith Howard Brooking is a linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia Tech...

intercepted Plummer and gave Atlanta the ball in Denver territory with just over a minute left in the first half. Atlanta was able to get a field goal before half time. On Atlanta’s first drive of the second half, tight end Alge Crumpler

Alge Crumpler

caught passes for 12 and 18 yards. Vick then ran for a 15 yard gain and moved the ball to the Denver 5 yard line. On the next play, Warrick Dunn

Warrick Dunn

scored with a 5 touchdown run. Late in the 3rd quarter, Atlanta’s rookie wide receiver Michael Jenkins made his first reception in the NFL. Jenkins’ first reception was a 46 yard gain to the Denver 36 yard line. 2 plays later Vick threw his second touchdown pass of the game to Price. The 25 yard touchdown made the score 34 to 14. On the ensuing drive, Plummer threw for his 3rd touchdown of the game. His 3rd touchdown was a 7 yard pass to Darius Watts

Darius Watts

Darius Orlando Watts is an arena football offensive specialist for the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League. He was originally drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft.In his career, Watts has also played for the New York Giants...

. Later in the 4th quarter, Falcons corner back Kevin Mathis

Kevin Mathis

intercepted a pass from Plummer and returned it 66 yards for a touchdown. It was Plummer 3rd pick of the game. Before the game ended Plummer threw his 4th touchdown of the game. His final touchdown of the game was a 35 yard pass to wide receiver Ashley Lelie

Ashley Lelie

Ashley Jovon Lelie [] is a retired American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos 19th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...

. The Falcons won their 6th game of the year with a final score of 41 to 28. Crumpler finished the game with 7 receptions for 86 yards. Plummer threw for 499 yards in his loss to the Falcons and had this to say about it "If I had thrown for 2 yards and we'd won, I'd be the happiest guy in here right now."

Week 10

In week 10, the Falcons played the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...

at the Georgia Dome. Michael Vick

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...

’s 45 yard pass to Alge Crumpler

Alge Crumpler

helped put the Falcons in field goal range on their first drive. 4 plays after Vick’s long completion, Jay Feely

Jay Feely

hit a 33 yard field goal to give Atlanta an early 3 point lead. On the Falcons second drive Vick helped set up a second touchdown when he broke away for a 41 yard run. 2 plays later running back T.J. Duckett scored on a 2 yard touchdown run. Early in the second quarter, Duckett ran for his second touchdown of the game. Duckett’s second touchdown was from 1 yard out and gave the Falcons a 17 point lead. The Buccaneers scored their first points of the game with 5:48 left in the 2nd quarter. Tampa Bay quarterback Brian Griese

Brian Griese

Brian David Griese is a former American football quarterback. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played high school football at Christopher Columbus High School and later college football at Michigan....

hit wide receiver Michael Clayton for a 25yard touchdown pass, and made the score 17 to 3. In the 3rd quarter Ronde Barber

Ronde Barber

Jamael Orondé "Rondé" Barber is an American football cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was drafted in the third round of the 1997 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...

intercepted a pass from Vick and gave Tampa Bay the ball in Atlanta territory. 4 plays after the turnover Griese threw a 22 yard touchdown to tight end Ken Dilger

Ken Dilger

Kenneth Ray Dilger is a retired professional American football player.-Early years:Ken Dilger was raised in Mariah Hill, Spencer County, Indiana. He attended Heritage Hills High School in Lincoln City, Indiana where he played quarterback; he also starred in basketball and baseball...

. Griese’s second touchdown cut the Falcons lead to 3 points. The Falcons brought their lead back to 10 points in the 4th quarter when Vick threw a 49 yard touchdown to Crumpler. The Falcons defense had 7 sacks in the game. Crumpler had 118 yards in the game which was a career high. Falcons defensive tackle Rod Coleman

Rod Coleman

Roderick Dwayne Coleman is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the fifth round of the 1999 NFL Draft...

had this to say about Atlanta’s 7 sack performance, "Sometimes, they had three guys on me. I was just laughing. They were wasting three guys on me, but their quarterback was on the ground."

Week 11

In week 11 the Falcons went to New York to play the New York Giants

New York Giants

The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

. Giant’s quarterback Eli Manning

Eli Manning

Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...

made his first NFL start in the game. On the Falcons opening drive, Michael Vick

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...

ran for gains of 7, 20, and 24 yards and finished the drive with a 6 yard touchdown pass to Alge Crumpler

Alge Crumpler

.Early in the 2nd quarter, Vicks threw another touchdown pass to Crumpler to make the score 14 to 0. Late in the 2nd quarter, Manning threw his first interception of his career. Manning’s pass was picked off by Atlanta corner Jason Webster

Jason Webster

Jason Richmond Webster is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2000 NFL Draft...

. Atlanta tried to kick a 46 yard field goal before the half expired, but Jay Feely

Jay Feely

’s attempt was no good. In the 3rd quarter Manning moved the Giant’s offense down the field and finished it with his first touchdown of his NFL career. Mannings first touchdown was a 6 yard touchdown pass to tight end Jeremy Shockey

Jeremy Shockey

Jeremy Charles Shockey is an American football tight end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants 14th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...

. Later in the 3rd quarter Manning threw another interception. Manning’s second interception was made by Atlanta defensive end Brady Smith

Brady Smith (American football)

Brady McKay Smith is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft...

. In the 4th quarter Giants kicker Steve Christie

Steve Christie

Geoffrey Stephen Christie is a former Canadian American football placekicker in the National Football League, who, as a member of the Buffalo Bills, became known for his ability to kick clutch field goals, even in poor weather.-Early career:Christie, who grew up in nearby Oakville, Ontario,...

hit a 24 yard field goal to make the score 14 to 10. The win brought the Falcons to 8-2. Falcons coach Jim Mora

Jim L. Mora

James Lawrence "Jim" Mora is an American former NCAA defensive back and National Football League head coach. As of 2010, he is currently an analyst for the NFL Network....

had this to say about Vick after the game, "Mike wins. You look at his record, it's not always pretty in terms of statistics and quarterback rating. You might need to throw those things out when you talk about Mike Vick. He just wins."

Week 12

In week 12, the Falcons played the New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....

at the Georgia Dome. In the 1st quarter Michael Vick

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...

threw a 24 yard pass to Alge Crumpler

Alge Crumpler

which put the ball at the New Orleans 16 yard line. Vick ran for a 16 yard touchdown one play after his completion to Crumpler. In the 2nd quarter Vick threw a 25 yard pass to receiver Peerless Price

Peerless Price

Peerless Jilo Price is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Bills in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft...

. Price’s reception moved the ball to the Saint’s 1 yard line and set up Vicks 1 yard touchdown pass to fullback Stanley Pritchett

Stanley Pritchett

Stanley Jerome Pritchett is a former professional American football player. A 6'1", 245-lb. fullback from the University of South Carolina, Pritchett was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the 4th round of the 1996 NFL Draft...

on the next play. Saints’ kicker John Carney made 2 field goals in the second quarter to make the score 14 to 6. With 38 seconds left in the 1st half Michael Vicks’s second cousin Aaron Brooks threw an interception to Falcons cornerback Allen Rossum

Allen Rossum

. Rossum returned the pick 14 yards to the Saint’s 26 yard line and the Falcons were able to kick a field goal before halftime. The Saints got the ball to start the 3rd quarter. On their first drive the Saints offense moved the ball to the Atlanta 19 yard line but their field goal attempt was blocked by Falcons defensive tackle Ed Jasper

Ed Jasper

. Later in the 3rd quarter, Brooks scored on a 1 yard touchdown run. The Saints scored on a 2 point conversion. The 2 point conversion was caught by New Orleans receiver Joe Horn

Joe Horn

Joseph Horn is a retired American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the 1996 NFL Draft, and also played for the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons...

. In the 4th quarter Brooks threw a 7 yard touchdown to Horn and gave New Orleans the lead 21 to 17. With 1:56 left in the game Atlanta was down by 4 points and had the ball at the New Orleans 47 yard line. On their first play of the drive Vick completed a 27 yard pass to Crumpler and on their second play Vick threw a 20 yard touchdown pass to Crumpler. On the Saints final drive, Brooks threw an interception to Atlanta cornerback DeAngelo Hall

DeAngelo Hall

DeAngelo Eugene Hall is an American football cornerback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons eighth overall in the 2004 NFL Draft...

. Crumpler had this to say about his game winning touchdown grab, "Me and Mike have a great connection. We work on that all week in practice -- the scramble drill. Mike put the ball in a great spot."

Week 13

In week 13, the Falcons played the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay running back Michael Pittman

Michael Pittman

Michael Pittman is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 1998 NFL Draft. He played college football at Fresno State....

finished the Bucks first drive of the game with a 4 yard rushing touchdown. Early in the second quarter, Michael Vick

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...

threw an interception to Tampa Bay line backer Derrick Brooks

Derrick Brooks

Derrick Dewan Brooks is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buccaneers 28th overall in the 1995 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State....

. Brooks intercepted the ball in his own end zone for a touchback. Tampa Bay’s drive following the interception ended with a 50 yard Jay Taylor

Jay Taylor

James "Jay" Taylor is an American professional football kicker for the Orlando Predators in the Arena Football League. He played collegiately for the West Virginia Mountaineers.-High school years:...

field goal. The Falcons’ next drive was ended when Brooks forced Vick to fumble. Tampa Bay recovered Vick’s fumble at their own 47 yard line. Taylor capitalized on Vick’s second fumble with a 30 yard field goal and extended the Bucks lead to 13 to 0. In the 3rd quarter, Vick Fumbled again when he was sacked by Tampa Bay defensive end Simeon Rice

Simeon Rice

Simeon James Rice [] is a former American football defensive end, last playing in 2009. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals third overall in the 1996 NFL Draft...

. Just one play after Vick’s fumble, Tampa Bay quarterback Brian Griese

Brian Griese

connected with wide receiver Joey Galloway

Joey Galloway

Joseph Scott Galloway is an American football wide receiver. He most recently played for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks eighth overall in the 1995 NFL Draft...

for a 36 yard touchdown. In the 4th quarter Tampa Bay fullback Mike Alstott

Mike Alstott

Michael Joseph Alstott , nicknamed "A-Train", is a former American football fullback in the National Football League. He spent his entire 12-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played college football at Purdue...

scored on a 1 yard touchdown run. The Buccaneers won 27 to 0. The Falcons turned the ball over 5 times in the game.

Week 14

In week 14, the Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

played the Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...

at the Georgia Dome. The Raiders scored on their second drive with a 52 yard field goal by kicker Sebastian Janikowski

Sebastian Janikowski

Sebastian Janikowski is a left-footed Polish placekicker who plays for the National Football League's Oakland Raiders. He is nicknamed The Polish Cannon because he is considered to have one of the strongest kicking legs in the league, and leads the NFL in kickoffs for touchbacks. He lives in...

. Atlanta scored their first points of the game in the second quarter. T.J. Duckett ran for a 28 ran touchdown and gave Atlanta the lead 7 to 3. On the ensuing drive Falcon’s safety Aaron Beasley

Aaron Beasley

Aaron Bruce Beasley is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League. He played collegially at West Virginia University...

forced a fumble from Oakland running back J.R. Redmond

J.R. Redmond

Joseph Robert "J.R." Redmond is an American football running back who is a free agent in the National Football League...

. The Falcons turned Redmond’s turnover into points when Duckett finished another drive with a touchdown. Atlanta scored again in the 2nd quarter when Falcons’ defensive tackle Rod Coleman

Rod Coleman

Roderick Dwayne Coleman is an American football defensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the fifth round of the 1999 NFL Draft...

intercepted a pass from Kerry Collins

Kerry Collins

Kerry Michael Collins is an American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers with the fifth overall pick of the 1995 NFL Draft, the first choice in the franchise's history...

and returned it 39 yards for a touchdown. Coleman played for the Raiders for 5 years before becoming a Falcon. The Falcons went into half time winning 21 to 3. On the opening drive of the 2nd half, Duckett scored his 3rd rushing touchdown of the game. Duckett’s 3rd touchdown was from 4 yards out and gave extended Atlanta’s lead to 28 to 3. Duckett also scored a 1 yard touchdown to cap off the Falcons first drive of the fourth quarter. The Raiders also scored a touchdown in the 4th quarter when running back Zack Crockett

Zack Crockett

Zack Crockett is a scout for the Oakland Raiders and former American football fullback who is a retired NFL player. He was originally drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 1995 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.-Early years:Crockett attended Ely High...

scored a 1 yard touchdown. With the win Atlanta clinched the NFC South division championship. Duckett scored a career high 4 touchdown in the game.

Week 15

In week 15, the Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

played the Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers

in the Georgia Dome. Early in the 1st quarter Panther’s quarterback Jake Delhomme

Jake Delhomme

was sacked by Falcon’s linebacker Keith Brooking

Keith Brooking

. Delhomme then fumbled and the ball was recovered by Atlanta defensive tackle Chad Lavalais

Chad Lavalais

Chad Douglas Lavalais is an American football free-agent who played two seasons for the Atlanta Falcons. Although a former starter, he was released by the Atlanta Falcons on September 1, 2006 after mediocre performance and poor pre-season conditioning.-High School and College:Lavalais lettered in...

at the Carolina 40 yard line. The Falcons scored after the turnover when Michael Vick

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...

threw a 3 yard pass to Falcon’s wide receiver Brian Finneran

Brian Finneran

Brian Finneran is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1998...

for a touchdown. The Falcons kicked a field goal early in the second quarter to make the score 10 to 0. Following the Falcon’s field goal, the Panthers drove down the field goal and scored when Delhomme threw a 6 yard touchdown to Muhsin Muhammad

Muhsin Muhammad

. The Panthers kicked a field goal before half time to make the score 10 to 10 at halftime. Running back Warrick Dunn

Warrick Dunn

carried the ball 9 times for 45 yards including a 6 yard touchdown run on the opening drive of the 2nd half. The Falcons scored again in the 3rd quarter when Vick threw a 12 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Dez White

Dez White

. Late in the 3rd quarter Vick was intercepted for the second time of the game by Panthers cornerback Chris Gamble

Chris Gamble

Chris Lee Gamble is an American football player with the Carolina Panthers. During his NFL career Gamble has only played cornerback, but was briefly a wide receiver at the Ohio State University. He was converted into a cornerback during his sophomore year...

. The Panthers turned Vicks second interception in to points when Delhomme threw a 11 yard touchdown to tight end Kris Mangum

Kris Mangum

Kris Thomas Mangum is a former American football player who played tight end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League throughout his entire NFL career. He attended the University of Mississippi. His father, John Mangum, Sr. and his brother, John Mangum, Jr...

. 2 minutes later in the 4th quarter, Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers

Julius Peppers

recovered a fumble by Vick and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown. Peppers touchdown tied the game at 24 to 24. The next time the Panthers offence got the ball Delhomme threw a 43 yard pass to wide receiver Keary Colbert

Keary Colbert

Patrick Keary Jerel Colbert is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft...

. 4 plays later Panther’s running back Nick Goings

Nick Goings

Nick Aaron Goings is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2001...

scored on a 5 yard touchdown run. Goings’ touchdown gave the Panthers their first lead of the game with only 3:41 left in the game. With 1:44 left in the game the Falcons offense faced a 4th and goal at the Panther’s 12 yard line. The Falcons were down by 7, and if they didn’t score on that 4th down, the Panthers would have retained possession and been able to run out the clock. Vick ran up the middle for the 12 yard touchdown which tied the game at 31 to 31. The Panthers were unable to score on the final drive of the 4th quarter so the game went into overtime. The Panthers got the ball first to start sudden death overtime but on 3rd and 9 Delhomme was intercepted by Falcons’ safety Aaron Beasley

Aaron Beasley

Aaron Bruce Beasley is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League. He played collegially at West Virginia University...

. 3 plays later the Falcons kicked a field goal and won 34 to 31.There were 4 touchdowns scored in the 4th quarter. Vick commented on his spectacular game tying touchdown run after the game, "Everyone else had their backs turned to me, so that is why I was able to make it to the end zone. I was lucky to get in there."

Week 16

In week 16, the Falcons played the New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints

in the Louisiana Super Dome. With a record of 11-3, the Falcons were set to be the second seed in the 2004 NFC Playoffs. Quarterback Matt Schaub

Matt Schaub

Matthew Rutledge Schaub is the starting quarterback for the Houston Texans. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia.-College career:...

started in place of Michael Vick

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...

. In the 1st quarter Schaub was sacked in the end zone by Saint’s defensive tackle Tony Bryant

Tony Bryant

Tony Bryant is a former American football defensive end who played for the Oakland Raiders and the New Orleans Saints in the National Football League.He was born and raised in Marathon, Florida.-High school:...

for a safety. The Saints also kicked a field goal in the 1st quarter to give them a 5 to 0 lead. On the first play of the 2nd quarter Schaub threw a short pass to Warrick Dunn

Warrick Dunn

, who ran 59 yards to the New Orleans yard line. 4 plays later Jay Feely

Jay Feely

kicked a 25 yard field goal. On the Saint’s next drive Aaron Brooks threw an interception to Keith Brooking

Keith Brooking

who returned the pick 27 yards to the New Orleans’s 11 yard line. Feely kicked a 20 yard field goal to give the Falcons the lead 6 to 5. Brooks’ 18 yard pass to Joe Horn

Joe Horn

helped the Saint’s move the ball down the field for a touchdown. The drive ended when Brooks’ scored on a 1 yard touchdown run which put the Saints back up 12 to 6. In the 3rd quarter Donte Stallworth scored on a 39 yard pass from Brooks. Dunn scored on a 16 yard touchdown run, but on the following kickoff Saint’s return man Michael Lewis returned the kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown. Neither team scored in the in the 4th quarter, and the Saints won 26 to 13. The Falcons playoff status was unaffected by the loss.

Week 17

In week 17 the Falcons played the Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...

at Quest Field. It was the final game of the regular season for the Falcons and Seahawks. The Seahawks were forced to punt on their first drive and Falcon’s line backer Demorrio Williams

Demorrio Williams

Demorrio Dwain Williams is an American football linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...

blocked Ken Walter

Ken Walter

Ken Walter is a former American football punter for the New England Patriots in the National Football League. From 1997 – 2000, he played for the Carolina Panthers, from 2001 – 2003 he played for the Patriots, and in 2004 played for the Seattle Seahawks...

’s punt. The Falcons scored on their next drive when Vick threw a 2 yard touchdown to Peerless Price

Peerless Price

Peerless Jilo Price is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Bills in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft...

. Later in the 1st quarter Seahawk’s running back Shaun Alexander

Shaun Alexander

Shaun Edward Alexander is a former American football running back who played for the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Redskins. He was drafted by the Seahawks 19th overall in the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Alabama.- Early career :Alexander was born and...

scored a 1 yard touchdown. In the second quarter Jay Feely

Jay Feely

kicked a 33 yard field goal. On the 4th play of the Seahawk’s next drive cornerback DeAngelo Hall

DeAngelo Hall

DeAngelo Eugene Hall is an American football cornerback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons eighth overall in the 2004 NFL Draft...

intercepted a pall from Seahawk’s quarterback Matt Hasselbeck

Matt Hasselbeck

Matthew Michael Hasselbeck is a National Football League quarterback for the Tennessee Titans. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round of the 1998 NFL Draft, and traded to Seattle in 2001. After becoming the starter in 2003, Hasselbeck led Seattle to six playoff appearances and...

, and returned the pick 48 yards for a touchdown. Hasselbeck’s pass was intended for, the NFL’s all-time leading receiver, Jerry Rice

Jerry Rice

Jerry Lee Rice is a retired American football wide receiver. He is generally regarded as the greatest wide receiver of all time and one of the greatest players in National Football League history...

. Hasselbeck redeemed himself on the next drive when he threw a 3 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Darrell Jackson

Darrell Jackson

Darrell Lamont Jackson is a former American college and professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League for nine seasons...

. In the 3rd quarter Matt Schaub

Matt Schaub

was intercepted by Seattle cornerback Marcus Trufant

Marcus Trufant

Marcus Lavon Trufant is an American football cornerback who plays for the Seattle Seahawks. He was originally drafted by the Seahawks 11th overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played college football at Washington State.-Early years:...

. Hasselbeck finished off the next drive with another 3 yard touchdown pass. Hasselbeck’s second touchdown was to tight end Jerramy Stevens

Jerramy Stevens

Jerramy Stevens is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks 28th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Washington.-Early years:...

. Early in the 4th quarter Feely kicked a 40 yard field goal. The Seahawks followed Feely’s field goal with another touchdown drive. Seattle’s scouring drive was capped off by a 1 yard touchdown run by Hasselbeck. On the final timed play from scrimmage Schaub threw a 3 yard touchdown wide receiver Brian Finneran

Brian Finneran

Brian Finneran is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1998...

. Atlanta’s final touchdown made the score 26 to 28 with Seattle still leading. The Falcons attempted a 2 point conversion, but Warrick Dunn

Warrick Dunn

failed to cross the goal line.

Divisional Playoffs

In the Divisional round of the playoffs the Falcons played the St. Louis Rams

St. Louis Rams

at the Georgia Dome. On the Falcons first drive Michael Vick

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...

ran for a 47 yard gain to the St. Louis 21 yard line. 2 plays later Vick threw a 18 yard touchdown to Alge Crumpler

Alge Crumpler

. The Rams also scored on their first drive when quarterback Mark Bulger threw a 57 yard touchdown to wide receiver Kevin Curtis

Kevin Curtis

-St. Louis Rams:Curtis was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the 3rd round of the 2003 NFL Draft. Curtis was inactive for the first five games of 2003 after suffering a broken fibula in the final preseason game at Buffalo. In 2004, Curtis played in all but one game, totaling 32 catches for 421...

. On the Falcons next drive Warrick Dunn

Warrick Dunn

ran for a 62 yard touchdown. On the Falcon’s 3rd possession Dunn scored again. Dunn’s 2nd rushing touchdown was from 19 yards out. The Ram’s offence scored again on their next possession. Bulger’s 2nd touchdown was a 2 yard pass to wide receiver Torry Holt

Torry Holt

After injuring his knee at the Senior Bowl, Holt, at 192 pounds, ran a 4.44 second 40-yard dash and had a vertical jump of 37 inches at the 1999 NFL Combine-St. Louis Rams:...

. Running back T.J. Duckett ran 3 times for 29 yards on the Falcon’s next drive, but the drive ended when a fumble by Vick was recovered by Ram’s linebacker Tommy Polley

Tommy Polley

Tommy William Polley was an American football player in the NFL. He originally played for the St. Louis Rams from 2001 to 2004 before signing with the Ravens as a free agent in 2005. He played only one season with the Ravens before signing with the Saints on June 2, 2006...

. The Ram’s then went 3 and out, and were forced to punt. Kevin Stemke

Kevin Stemke

Kevin Stemke is a former professional American football punter.Stemke was born in 1978 to Horst Stemke, a U.S. Olympic soccer player. He graduated from Green Bay's Preble High School in 1997, where he played quarterback, and went on to play for the University of Wisconsin Badgers...

’s punt was returned 68 for a touchdown by Allen Rossum

Allen Rossum

. Ram’s kicker Jeff Wilkins

Jeff Wilkins

made a 55 yard field goal at the end of the 1st half. The Falcon’s had the lead at half time 28 to 17. Early in the 2nd quarter Rossum returned a punt 39 yards to the St. Louis 32 yard line. Vick threw a 6 yard touchdown to wide receiver Peerless Price

Peerless Price

Peerless Jilo Price is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Bills in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft...

on the Falcons next drive. The Rams were forced to punt to Rossum again and he returned it 45 yards to the St. Louis 13 yard line. Jay Feely

Jay Feely

then kicked a 38 yard field goal which made the score 38 to 17 going into the 4th quarter. In the 4th quarter Falcon’s defensive end Brady Smith

Brady Smith (American football)

Brady McKay Smith is a former American football defensive end in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft...

sacked Bulger in the Ram’s end zone for a safety. Duckett scored a 4 yard touchdown late in the 4th quarter. The Falcon’s won 47 to 17. The Falcon’s ran for 327 yards which was a new franchise records. Rossum’s 152 return yards set a new NFL postseason record. Vick ran for 119 yard in the game which was also a new NFL postseason record. Dunn ran for 142 yards which was the most in Falcons postseason history. Ram’s safety Antuan Edwards

Antuan Edwards

Antuan Edwards is a retired American football player. He played safety in the National Football League...

had this to say about the loss: "Every person in this locker room is a little stunned. In all phases of the game, we got whipped."

NFC Championship

In the NFC Championship the Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

played the Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

at Lincoln Financial Field. In the first quarter on the Eagles first scouring, the Eagles’ running back Brian Westbrook

Brian Westbrook

Brian Collins Westbrook is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft after playing college football at Villanova...

broke a 36 yard run to the Atlanta 25 yard line. On the next play Eagles’ Donavan McNabb completed a 21 yard pass to tight end L.J. Smith

L.J. Smith

John Smith III , commonly known as L.J., which stands for "Little John", is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft...

. Dorsey Levens

Dorsey Levens

Herbert Dorsey Levens is a retired American football running back in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 1994 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame and later Georgia Tech.In his career, Levens also played for the...

scored from 4 yards out on the next play. The Falcons scored their first points on their first drive of the 2nd quarter. Jay Feely

Jay Feely

’s 23 yard field goal shrunk the Eagles’ lead to 4 points. On the Eagles’ next drive McNabb completed a 45 yard pass to wide receiver Greg Lewis and 2 plays later he threw a 3 yard touchdown pass to tight end Chad Lewis

Chad Lewis

Chad Wayne Lewis is a former American football tight end in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles and St. Louis Rams.-Early life:...

. The Falcons countered on their next drive when Warrick Dunn

Warrick Dunn

ran for a 10 yard touchdown. On the first drive of the 2nd half Westbrook ran the ball 4 times for 34 yards which helped put the Eagles in field goal range. The drive was capped off by a 31 yard David Akers

David Akers

David Roy Akers is a left footed American football placekicker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Falcons in 1997. He played college football at Louisville....

field goal. Akers also kicked a 34 yard field goal later in the 3rd quarter. McNabb sealed the game in the 4th quarter when he threw another touchdown pass to Chad Lewis

Chad Lewis

Chad Wayne Lewis is a former American football tight end in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles and St. Louis Rams.-Early life:...

. The Eagles won 27 to 10 and advanced to the Super Bowl.

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