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2020 Atlanta Falcons season

{{Short description|55th season in franchise history; final one with Dan Quinn}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox NFL team season

| team = Atlanta Falcons

| logo =

| year = 2020

| record = 4–12

| division_place = 4th NFC South

| coach = Dan Quinn (fired Oct. 11; 0–5 record)
Raheem Morris (interim; 4–7 record)

| owner = Arthur Blank

| general manager = Thomas Dimitroff (fired Oct. 11)

| stadium = Mercedes-Benz Stadium

| playoffs = Did not qualify

| pro bowlers = DT Grady Jarrett
K Younghoe Koo

| AP_All-pros = WR Calvin Ridley (2nd team)

| uniform = Atlanta Falcons Uniforms 2020-2021.png

| shortnavlink = Falcons seasons

}}

The 2020 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 55th season in the National Football League (NFL), their fourth playing their home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, their thirteenth and final season under general manager Thomas Dimitroff and their sixth and final season under head coach Dan Quinn.

For the first time since the 2003 season, the Falcons wore new uniforms, which were unveiled on April 8, 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/new-uniforms-2020|title=Official Website of the Atlanta Falcons Football Club|website=atlantafalcons.com|access-date=2020-04-09|archive-date=2020-04-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408184316/https://www.atlantafalcons.com/new-uniforms-2020|url-status=dead}}

The Falcons failed to improve on their 7–9 season from the previous year following a Week 14 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers and failed to make the playoffs for the third consecutive season the same week. They suffered their worst record since 2013, and finished last place in the NFC South for the first time since 2007. This was in part of the Falcons beginning the season 0–5, their first 0–5 start since 1997, which included two squandered fourth-quarter leads by more than 15 points in back-to-back weeks. This season was plagued by blown leads and an inability to close out games, with the Falcons squandering six total leads which led to losses and lost eight games with a deficit of 7 or less points.{{Cite web |agency=Associated Press |date=2020-09-27 |title=Falcons fans fume after team blows big lead in loss for second straight game |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/falcons-fans-fume-team-blows-big-lead |access-date=2020-10-11 |website=Associated Press }} On October 11, following a Week 5 loss to the Carolina Panthers, the Falcons fired head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff.{{cite web |title=Atlanta Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff, coach Dan Quinn relieved of their duties |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/atlanta-falcons-gm-thomas-dimitroff-coach-dan-quinn-relieved-of-their-duties |website=atlantafalcons.com |access-date=October 11, 2020}} The following day, the Falcons named defensive coordinator Raheem Morris interim head coach.{{cite web|title=Atlanta Falcons name Raheem Morris interim head coach |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/atlanta-falcons-name-raheem-morris-interim-head-coach|website=AtlantaFalcons.com|publisher=Atlanta Falcons |date=October 12, 2020}} The next day their special teams coordinator Ben Kotwicka was fired.

{{TOC limit|3}}

Draft

{{main|2020 NFL draft}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}}"| 2020 Atlanta Falcons Draft

RoundSelectionPlayerPositionCollegeNotes
1 ||16

| A. J. Terrell || CB || Clemson ||

2 || 47

| Marlon Davidson || DT || Auburn ||

3 || 78

| Matt Hennessy || C || Temple ||

rowspan="2" | 4 || 119

|Mykal Walker||LB||Fresno State||

134

|Jaylinn Hawkins||S||California|| from Baltimore

7 || 228

|Sterling Hofrichter||P||Syracuse|| from Philadelphia

Trades

=Undrafted free agents=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}}"| Player

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}}"| Position

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}}"| College

Mikey DanielRBSouth Dakota State
Jalen McCleskeyWRTulane
Juwan GreenWRAlbany
Chris RowlandWRTennessee State
Jared PinkneyTEVanderbilt
Caleb ReppTEUtah State
Evin KsiezarczykOLBuffalo
Hunter AtkinsonTGeorgia State
Austin CappsOLArkansas
Scottie DillTMemphis
Sailosi LatuDTSan Jose State
Hinwa AllieuDENebraska-Kearney
Austin EdwardsDEFerris State
Bryson YoungLBOregon
Rayshawn WilbornLBBall State
Jordan WilliamsLBBaylor
Rojesterman Farris IICBHawaii
Tyler HallCBWyoming
Delrick Abrams Jr.CBColorado

Staff

{{NFL final staff

|Year=2020

|TeamName=Atlanta Falcons

|Front Office=

  • Owner/chairman – Arthur Blank
  • President/CEO – Rich McKay
  • General manager – Thomas Dimitroff (fired Oct. 11)
  • Director of pro personnel – Shepley Heard
  • Director of football operations – Nick Polk
  • Director of college scouting – Anthony Robinson
  • Director of player personnel – Steve Sabo
  • Vice president of player affairs – Kevin Winston
  • National scouts – Ruston Webster, Phil Emery, and Joel Collier

|Head Coaches=

  • Head coach – Dan Quinn
  • Interim head coach/defensive coordinator – Raheem Morris
  • Assistant head coach/interim defensive coordinator/linebackers – Jeff Ulbrich
  • Assistant to the head coach – Steve Scarnecchia

|Offensive Coaches=

|Defensive Coaches=

|Special Teams Coaches=

  • Special teams coordinator – Ben Kotwica
  • Assistant special teams – Mayur Chaudhari
  • Game management coordinator – Will Harriger

|Strength and Conditioning=

  • Head strength and conditioning – Jesse Ackerman
  • Assistant strength – Brandon Ireland

}}

Final roster

{{NFL final roster

|Year=2020

|TeamName=Atlanta Falcons

|Active=52

|Inactive=3

|PS=15

|PS-exempt=1

|Quarterbacks=

{{NFLplayer| 2|Matt Ryan|d=American football}}

{{NFLplayer| 8|Matt Schaub}}

|Running Backs=

{{NFLplayer|21|Todd Gurley}}

{{NFLplayer|23|Brian Hill|d=American football}}

{{NFLplayer|30|Qadree Ollison}}

{{NFLplayer|25|Ito Smith}}

{{NFLplayer|40|Keith Smith|d=fullback|FB}}

|Wide Receivers=

{{NFLplayer|13|Christian Blake}}

{{NFLplayer|83|Russell Gage}}

{{NFLplayer|19|Devin Gray|d=American football}}

{{NFLplayer|11|Julio Jones}}

{{NFLplayer|15|Brandon Powell}}

{{NFLplayer|18|Calvin Ridley}}

{{NFLplayer|14|Chris Rowland|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|80|Laquon Treadwell}}

|Tight Ends=

{{NFLplayer|87|Jaeden Graham}}

{{NFLplayer|81|Hayden Hurst}}

{{NFLplayer|89|Jared Pinkney|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|88|Luke Stocker}}

|Offensive Linemen=

{{NFLplayer|77|James Carpenter|d=offensive lineman|G}}

{{NFLplayer|73|Matt Gono|T}}

{{NFLplayer|61|Matt Hennessy|G|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|63|Chris Lindstrom|G}}

{{NFLplayer|70|Jake Matthews|d=American football|T}}

{{NFLplayer|65|Justin McCray|C}}

{{NFLplayer|76|Kaleb McGary|T}}

{{NFLplayer|75|John Wetzel|d=American football|G}}

|Defensive Linemen=

{{NFLplayer|93|Allen Bailey|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|50|John Cominsky|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|90|Marlon Davidson|DT|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|96|Tyeler Davison|DT}}

{{NFLplayer|56|Dante Fowler|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|92|Charles Harris|d=American football|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|97|Grady Jarrett|DT}}

{{NFLplayer|55|Steven Means|DE}}

{{NFLplayer|94|Deadrin Senat|DT}}

{{NFLplayer|91|Jacob Tuioti-Mariner|DT}}

|Linebackers=

{{NFLplayer|45|Deion Jones|MLB}}

{{NFLplayer|54|Foyesade Oluokun|OLB}}

{{NFLplayer|59|LaRoy Reynolds|MLB}}

{{NFLplayer|46|Edmond Robinson|OLB}}

{{NFLplayer|43|Mykal Walker|OLB|rookie=y}}

|Defensive Backs=

{{NFLplayer|37|Ricardo Allen|FS}}

{{NFLplayer|34|Darqueze Dennard|CB}}

{{NFLplayer|44|Tyler Hall|d=American football|CB|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|32|Jaylinn Hawkins|SS|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|22|Keanu Neal|SS}}

{{NFLplayer|41|Sharrod Neasman|SS}}

{{NFLplayer|26|Isaiah Oliver|CB}}

{{NFLplayer|20|Kendall Sheffield|CB}}

{{NFLplayer|24|A. J. Terrell|rookie=y|CB}}

{{NFLplayer|33|Blidi Wreh-Wilson|CB}}

|Special Teams=

{{NFLplayer|47|Josh Harris|d=long snapper|LS}}

{{NFLplayer| 4|Sterling Hofrichter|P|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer| 7|Younghoe Koo|K}}

|Reserve Lists=

{{NFLplayer|27|Damontae Kazee|FS|IR}}

{{NFLplayer|51|Alex Mack|C|COVID}}

{{NFLplayer|17|Olamide Zaccheaus|WR|IR}}

|Practice Squad=

{{NFLplayer|42|Delrick Abrams|CB|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|71|Willie Beavers|G}}

{{NFLplayer| 6|Kurt Benkert|QB|Protected}}

{{NFLplayer|35|Tony Brooks-James|RB}}

{{NFLplayer|16|Greg Dortch|WR}}

{{NFLplayer|95|Austin Edwards|DE|rookie=y|COVID}}

{{NFLplayer| 1|Elliott Fry|K}}

{{NFLplayer|12|Juwan Green|WR|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|39|T. J. Green|FS}}

{{NFLplayer|64|Sean Harlow|OG|Protected}}

{{NFLplayer|79|Chris Slayton|DT}}

{{NFLplayer|52|Pita Taumoepenu|OLB}}

{{NFLplayer|31|Chris Williamson|d=American football|CB|rookie=y}}

{{NFLplayer|66|Willie Wright|d=American football, born 1996|T}}

}}

Preseason

The Falcons' preseason schedule was announced on May 7, but was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news |last=Shook |first=Nick |title=Roger Goodell writes letter to NFL fans as training camps start across U.S. |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/roger-goodell-letter-nfl-fans-training-camps |work=NFL |date=July 27, 2020 |access-date=July 27, 2020}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}}"| Week

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}}"| Date

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}}"| Opponent

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}}"| Venue

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}}"| Result

style="background:#bababa"

! 1

| {{dow tooltip|August 14, 2020}}

| Miami Dolphins

| Mercedes-Benz Stadium

| rowspan=4| Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic

style="background:#bababa"

! 2

| {{dow tooltip|August 21, 2020}}

| at Buffalo Bills

| New Era Field

style="background:#bababa"

! 3

| {{dow tooltip|August 28, 2020}}

| Cincinnati Bengals

| Mercedes-Benz Stadium

style="background:#bababa"

! 4

| {{dow tooltip|September 3, 2020}}

| at Jacksonville Jaguars

| TIAA Bank Field

Regular season

=Schedule=

The Falcons' 2020 schedule was announced on May 7.

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}}"| Week

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}}"| Date

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}}"| Opponent

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}}"| Result

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}}"| Record

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}}"| Venue

!style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}}"| Recap

style="background:#fcc"

! 1

| September 13

| Seattle Seahawks

| L 25–38

| 0–1

| Mercedes-Benz Stadium

| [https://www.nfl.com/games/seahawks-at-falcons-2020-reg-1 Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 2

| September 20

| at Dallas Cowboys

| L 39–40

| 0–2

| AT&T Stadium

| [https://www.nfl.com/games/falcons-at-cowboys-2020-reg-2 Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 3

| September 27

| Chicago Bears

| L 26–30

| 0–3

| Mercedes-Benz Stadium

| [https://www.nfl.com/games/bears-at-falcons-2020-reg-3 Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 4

| {{dow tooltip|October 5, 2020}}

| at Green Bay Packers

| L 16–30

| 0–4

| Lambeau Field

| [https://www.nfl.com/games/falcons-at-packers-2020-reg-4 Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 5

| October 11

| Carolina Panthers

| L 16–23

| 0–5

| Mercedes-Benz Stadium

| [https://www.nfl.com/games/panthers-at-falcons-2020-reg-5 Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 6

| October 18

| at Minnesota Vikings

| W 40–23

| 1–5

| U.S. Bank Stadium

| [https://www.nfl.com/games/falcons-at-vikings-2020-reg-6 Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 7

| October 25

| Detroit Lions

| L 22–23

| 1–6

| Mercedes-Benz Stadium

| [https://www.nfl.com/games/lions-at-falcons-2020-reg-7 Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 8

| {{dow tooltip|October 29, 2020}}

| at Carolina Panthers

| W 25–17

| 2–6

| Bank of America Stadium

| [https://www.nfl.com/games/falcons-at-panthers-2020-reg-8 Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 9

| November 8

| Denver Broncos

| W 34–27

| 3–6

| Mercedes-Benz Stadium

| [https://www.nfl.com/games/broncos-at-falcons-2020-reg-9 Recap]

10

| colspan="6" | Bye

style="background:#fcc"

! 11

| November 22

| at New Orleans Saints

| L 9–24

| 3–7

| Mercedes-Benz Superdome

| [https://www.nfl.com/games/falcons-at-saints-2020-reg-11 Recap]

style="background:#cfc"

! 12

| November 29

| Las Vegas Raiders

| W 43–6

| 4–7

| Mercedes-Benz Stadium

| [https://www.nfl.com/games/raiders-at-falcons-2020-reg-12 Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 13

| December 6

| New Orleans Saints

| L 16–21

| 4–8

| Mercedes-Benz Stadium

| [https://www.nfl.com/games/saints-at-falcons-2020-reg-13 Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 14

| December 13

| at Los Angeles Chargers

| L 17–20

| 4–9

| SoFi Stadium

| [https://www.nfl.com/games/falcons-at-chargers-2020-reg-14 Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 15

| December 20

| Tampa Bay Buccaneers

| L 27–31

| 4–10

| Mercedes-Benz Stadium

| [https://www.nfl.com/games/buccaneers-at-falcons-2020-reg-15 Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 16

| December 27

| at Kansas City Chiefs

| L 14–17

| 4–11

| Arrowhead Stadium

| [https://www.nfl.com/games/falcons-at-chiefs-2020-reg-16 Recap]

style="background:#fcc"

! 17

| January 3

| at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

| L 27–44

| 4–12

| Raymond James Stadium

| [https://www.nfl.com/games/falcons-at-buccaneers-2020-reg-17 Recap]

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

=Game summaries=

==Week 1: vs. Seattle Seahawks==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 1: Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary

|date=September 13

|time=1:00 p.m. EDT

|road=Seahawks

|R1=14|R2=0|R3=14|R4=10

|home=Falcons

|H1=3|H2=9|H3=0|H4=13

|stadium=Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

|attendance=0

|weather=Mostly cloudy, {{convert|80|F|C}} (retractable roof open)

|referee=Shawn Hochuli

|TV=Fox

|TVAnnouncers=Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth and Lindsay Czarniak

|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/seahawks-at-falcons-2020-reg-1 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/58169/ATL_Gamebook.pdf Game Book]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 49-yard field goal, 11:06. Falcons 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 44 yards, 3:54.
  • SEA – Chris Carson 3-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Jason Myers kick), 4:43. Seahawks 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 77 yards, 6:23.
  • SEA – Chris Carson 3-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Jason Myers kick), 0:53. Seahawks 14–3. Drive: 3 plays, 60 yards, 1:17.

Second quarter

  • ATL – Todd Gurley 1-yard run (kick failed), 11:25. Seahawks 14–9. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:28.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 49-yard field goal, 0:00. Seahawks 14–12. Drive: 11 plays, 60 yards, 1:37.

Third quarter

  • SEA – DK Metcalf 38-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Jason Myers kick), 9:41. Seahawks 21–12. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:19.
  • SEA – Greg Olsen 7-yard pass from Russell Wilson (Jason Myers kick), 5:05. Seahawks 28–12. Drive: 5 plays, 36 yards, 2:48.

Fourth quarter

  • SEA – Jason Myers 42-yard field goal, 11:19. Seahawks 31–12. Drive: 8 plays, 57 yards, 4:50.
  • ATL – Calvin Ridley 18-yard pass from Matt Ryan (pass failed), 9:35. Seahawks 31–18. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 1:44.
  • SEA – Carlos Hyde 1-yard run (Jason Myers kick), 3:45. Seahawks 38–18. Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 2:30.
  • ATL – Calvin Ridley 7-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 0:33. Seahawks 38–25. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 3:12.

|stats=Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

}}

With the loss, the Falcons failed to win their opening game for the third straight season and lost their first home opener since 2016.

==Week 2: at Dallas Cowboys==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 2: Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary

|date=September 20

|time=1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT

|road=Falcons

|R1=20|R2=9|R3=0|R4=10

|home=Cowboys

|H1=0|H2=10|H3=14|H4=16

|stadium=AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

|attendance=21,708

|weather=Sunny, {{convert|73|F|C}} (retractable roof open)

|referee=Brad Rogers

|TV=Fox

|TVAnnouncers=Kevin Burkhardt, Daryl Johnston and Pam Oliver

|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/falcons-at-cowboys-2020-reg-2 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/58186/DAL_Gamebook.pdf Game Book]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • ATL – Calvin Ridley 22-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 10:58. Falcons 7–0. Drive: 1 play, 22 yards, 0:08.
  • ATL – Hayden Hurst 42-yard pass from Calvin Ridley (Younghoe Koo kick), 7:37. Falcons 14–0. Drive: 4 plays, 52 yards, 1:49.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 42-yard field goal, 4:26. Falcons 17–0. Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 1:26.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 27-yard field goal, 1:06. Falcons 20–0. Drive: 7 plays, 31 yards, 3:04.

Second quarter

  • DAL – Ezekiel Elliott 1-yard run (Greg Zuerlein kick), 12:09. Falcons 20–7. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 3:57.
  • ATL – Calvin Ridley 3-yard pass from Matt Ryan (pass failed), 5:58. Falcons 26–7. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 6:11.
  • DAL – Greg Zuerlein 33-yard field goal, 1:46. Falcons 26–10. Drive: 11 plays, 60 yards, 4:12.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 41-yard field goal, 0:02. Falcons 29–10. Drive: 7 plays, 56 yards, 1:44.

Third quarter

  • DAL – Dak Prescott 2-yard run (Greg Zuerlein kick), 12:23. Falcons 29–17. Drive: 7 plays, 74 yards, 2:37.
  • DAL – Dak Prescott 1-yard run (Greg Zuerlein kick), 4:14. Falcons 29–24. Drive: 8 plays, 83 yards, 2:47.

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – Russell Gage 8-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 14:23. Falcons 36–24. Drive: 11 plays, 74 yards, 4:51.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 32-yard field goal, 7:57. Falcons 39–24. Drive: 10 plays, 30 yards, 4:49.
  • DAL – Dalton Schultz 10-yard pass from Dak Prescott (run failed), 4:57. Falcons 39–30. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 3:00.
  • DAL – Dak Prescott 1-yard run (Greg Zuerlein), 1:49. Falcons 39–37. Drive: 9 plays, 76 yards, 1:08.
  • DAL – Greg Zuerlein 46-yard field goal, 0:00. Cowboys 40–39. Drive: 6 plays, 26 yards, 1:49.

|stats=

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

}}

The Falcons got off to a 29–10 lead in the first half, but the Cowboys outscored them 30–10 in the second half, including three straight scoring drives in the fourth quarter to win 40–39. In the waning moments of the game, with the Falcons clinging to a 39–37 lead, the Cowboys managed to recover an onside kick despite three Falcons being there to recover it; the Falcons then allowed a game-winning field goal. With this loss, the Atlanta Falcons dropped to 0–2 on the season, their first such start to a season since 2007. The team also dropped to 11–18 all-time against the Cowboys. The Falcons' 39 points scored were the second-most by a losing team all season (only the Browns scored more in a loss, with 42 points against the Ravens in Week 15).

The Falcons recorded three takeaways (all in the first half), but also gave up 572 yards to the Cowboys offense. Atlanta's loss marked the first time a team that scored 39+ points with no giveaways lost a game; teams were previously 440–0 in said situation.{{cite web | last=Hennessey | first=Stephen | title=This wasn’t 28-3, but the Atlanta Falcons’ latest loss was historically heartbreaking | website=Golf Digest | date=2020-09-20 | url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/falcons-cowboys-2020-historic-loss | access-date=2024-11-24}}

==Week 3: vs. Chicago Bears==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 3: Chicago Bears at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary

|date=September 27

|time=1:00 p.m. EDT

|road=Bears

|R1=3|R2=7|R3=0|R4=20

|home=Falcons

|H1=6|H2=10|H3=10|H4=0

|stadium=Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

|attendance=0

|weather=Partly cloudy, {{convert|79|F|C}} (retractable roof open)

|referee=Jerome Boger

|TV=Fox

|TVAnnouncers=Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Shannon Spake

|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/bears-at-falcons-2020-reg-3 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/58201/ATL_Gamebook.pdf Game Book]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • ATL – Hayden Hurst 1-yard pass from Matt Ryan (kick failed), 9:43. Falcons 6–0. Drive: 3 plays, 64 yards, 1:09.
  • CHI – Cairo Santos 35-yard field goal, 2:43. Falcons 6–3. Drive: 12 plays, 58 yards, 7:00.

Second quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 29-yard field goal, 8:31. Falcons 9–3. Drive: 12 plays, 53 yards, 6:18.
  • ATL – Brian Hill 35-yard run (Younghoe Koo kick), 4:37. Falcons 16–3. Drive: 5 plays, 62 yards, 1:17.
  • CHI – Jimmy Graham 2-yard pass from Mitchell Trubisky (Cairo Santos kick), 1:50. Falcons 16–10. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:47.

Third quarter

  • ATL – Todd Gurley 10-yard run (Younghoe Koo kick), 12:34. Falcons 23–10. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:26.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 36-yard field goal, 9:58. Falcons 26–10. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 0:55.

Fourth quarter

  • CHI – Jimmy Graham 3-yard pass from Nick Foles (pass failed), 6:20. Falcons 26–16. Drive: 9 plays, 62 yards, 2:50.
  • CHI – Allen Robinson 37-yard pass from Nick Foles (Cairo Santos kick), 4:21. Falcons 26–23. Drive: 3 plays, 55 yards, 0:59.
  • CHI – Anthony Miller 37-yard pass from Nick Foles (Cairo Santos kick), 1:53. Bears 30–26. Drive: 5 plays, 44 yards, 2:06.

|stats=

Top passers

  • CHI – Nick Foles – 16/29, 188 yards, 3 TD, INT
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 19/38, 238 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

  • CHI – David Montgomery – 14 rushes, 45 yards
  • ATL – Todd Gurley – 14 rushes, 80 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • CHI – Allen Robinson – 10 receptions, 123 yards, TD
  • ATL – Calvin Ridley – 5 receptions, 110 yards

}}

For the second consecutive week, the Falcons blew a 15+ point lead entering the fourth quarter. With yet another defeat, the Atlanta Falcons lost their first three games of the season for the first time since 2007. The Falcons became the first team in NFL history to lose at least two games in the same season after leading by at least 15 points entering the fourth quarter.

==Week 4: at Green Bay Packers==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 4: Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers – Game summary

|date={{dow tooltip|October 5, 2020}}

|time=9:00 p.m. EDT/8:00 p.m. CDT

|road=Falcons

|R1=0|R2=3|R3=6|R4=7

|home=Packers

|H1=7|H2=13|H3=7|H4=3

|stadium=Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

|attendance=0

|weather=Clear, {{convert|53|F|C}}

|referee=Carl Cheffers

|TV=ESPN

|TVAnnouncers= Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick, Lisa Salters and John Parry

|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/falcons-at-packers-2020-reg-4 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/58231/GB_Gamebook.pdf Game Book]

|scoring=

First quarter

Second quarter

  • ATL – Elliott Fry 23-yard field goal, 7:38. Packers 7–3. Drive: 20 plays, 94 yards, 10:36.
  • GB – Robert Tonyan 19-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (kick failed), 2:28. Packers 13–3. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:10.
  • GB – Robert Tonyan 8-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Matt Crosby kick), 0:46. Packers 20–3. Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 0:51.

Third quarter

  • ATL – Todd Gurley 5-yard run (kick failed), 7:20. Packers 20–9. Drive: 8 plays, 67 yards, 4:22.
  • GB – Robert Tonyan 21-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Matt Crosby kick), 5:18. Packers 27–9. Drive: 4 plays, 51 yards, 2:02.

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – Todd Gurley 3-yard run (Elliott Fry kick), 12:52. Packers 27–16. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 7:26.
  • GB – Matt Crosby 48-yard field goal, 5:55. Packers 30–16. Drive: 10 plays, 45 yards, 6:57.

|stats=

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

}}

==Week 5: vs. Carolina Panthers==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 5: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary

|date=October 11

|time=1:00 p.m. EDT

|road=Panthers

|R1=3|R2=17|R3=0|R4=3

|home=Falcons

|H1=7|H2=0|H3=3|H4=6

|stadium=Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

|attendance=6,656

|weather=None (retractable roof closed)

|referee=Brad Allen

|TV=Fox

|TVAnnouncers=Chris Myers, Brock Huard and Jen Hale

|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/panthers-at-falcons-2020-reg-5 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/58233/ATL_Gamebook.pdf Game Book]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • ATL – Todd Gurley 35-yard run (Younghoe Koo kick), 8:19. Falcons 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 92 yards, 4:36.
  • CAR – Joey Slye 38-yard field goal, 0:57. Falcons 7–3. Drive: 14 plays, 64 yards, 7:22.

Second quarter

  • CAR – Joey Slye 39-yard field goal, 9:06. Falcons 7–6. Drive: 8 plays, 52 yards, 4:53.
  • CAR – D. J. Moore 57-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Joey Slye kick), 2:30. Panthers 13–7. Drive: 5 plays, 88 yards, 2:23.
  • CAR – Mike Davis 3-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Joey Slye kick), 0:23. Panthers 20–7. Drive: 9 plays, 89 yards, 1:11.

Third quarter

  • ATL – Youngoe Koo 46-yard field goal, 12:19. Panthers 20–10. Drive: 7 plays, 51 yards, 2:41.

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – Youngoe Koo 31-yard field goal, 14:48. Panthers 20–13. Drive: 15 plays, 67 yards, 5:29.
  • CAR – Joey Slye 22-yard field goal, 1:10. Panthers 23–13. Drive: 14 plays, 76 yards, 7:39.
  • ATL – Youngoe Koo 54-yard field goal, 0:04. Panthers 23–16. Drive: 8 plays, 39 yards, 1:06.

|stats=

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

}}

==Week 6: at Minnesota Vikings==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 6: Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary

|date=October 18

|time=1:00 p.m. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT

|road=Falcons

|R1=10|R2=10|R3=10|R4=10

|home=Vikings

|H1=0|H2=0|H3=7|H4=16

|stadium=U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

|attendance=0

|weather=None (indoor stadium)

|referee=Craig Wrolstad

|TV=Fox

|TVAnnouncers=Brandon Gaudin, Daryl Johnston and Pam Oliver

|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/falcons-at-vikings-2020-reg-6 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/58251/MIN_Gamebook.pdf Game Book]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • ATL – Julio Jones 20-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 12:02. Falcons 7–0. Drive: 5 plays, 29 yards, 2:41.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 50-yard field goal, 3:02. Falcons 10–0. Drive: 13 plays, 54 yards, 6:51.

Second quarter

  • ATL – Calvin Ridley 8-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 1:54. Falcons 17–0. Drive: 7 plays, 40 yards, 3:52.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 21-yard field goal, 0:01. Falcons 20–0. Drive: 9 plays, 46 yards, 1:05.

Third quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 47-yard field goal, 10:45. Falcons 23–0. Drive: 10 plays, 56 yards, 4:15.
  • MIN – Justin Jefferson 11-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Dan Bailey kick), 6:25. Falcons 23–7. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:20.
  • ATL – Julio Jones 40-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 2:01. Falcons 30–7. Drive: 8 plays, 69 yards, 4:24.

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 43-yard field goal, 7:07. Falcons 33–7. Drive: 8 plays, 42 yards, 3:33.
  • MIN – Adam Thielen 2-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Kirk Cousins-Irv Smith Jr. pass), 3:58. Falcons 33–15. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:09.
  • ATL – Hayden Hurst 35-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 2:11. Falcons 40–15. Drive: 4 plays, 44 yards, 1:47.
  • MIN – Justin Jefferson 49-yard pass from Kirk Cousins (Kirk Cousins-Justin Jefferson pass), 1:26. Falcons 40–23. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 0:45.

|stats=

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

}}

==Week 7: vs. Detroit Lions==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons 04thru19|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 7: Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary

|date=October 25

|time=1:00 p.m. EDT

|road=Lions

|R1=7|R2=3|R3=3|R4=10

|home=Falcons

|H1=0|H2=14|H3=0|H4=8

|stadium=Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

|attendance=7,796

|weather=Cloudy, {{convert|71|F|C}} (retractable roof open)

|referee=Land Clark

|TV=Fox

|TVAnnouncers=Chris Myers, Greg Jennings, Brock Huard and Jen Hale

|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/lions-at-falcons-2020-reg-7 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/58262/ATL_Gamebook.pdf Game Book]

|scoring=

First quarter

Second quarter

  • ATL – Todd Gurley 1-yard run (Younghoe Koo kick), 10:55. Tied 7–7. Drive: 13 plays, 89 yards, 3:10.
  • ATL – Calvin Ridley 4-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 0:29. Falcons 14–7. Drive: 14 plays, 98 yards, 5:48.
  • DET – Matt Prater 50-yard field goal, 0:00. Falcons 14–10. Drive: 5 plays, 43 yards, 0:29.

Third quarter

  • DET – Matt Prater 51-yard field goal, 7:34. Falcons 14–13. Drive: 11 plays, 53 yards, 7:26.

Fourth quarter

  • DET – Matt Prater 49-yard field goal, 3:16. Lions 16–14. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 2:13.
  • ATL – Todd Gurley 10-yard run (Matt Ryan-Calvin Ridley pass), 1:04. Falcons 22–16. Drive: 9 plays, 76 yards, 2:12.
  • DET – T. J. Hockenson 11-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 0:00. Lions 23–22. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 1:04.

|stats=

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

}}

In the final seconds of the game, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford would throw a walk-off touchdown pass to tight end T. J. Hockenson to tie the game. The extra point was successfully converted, giving the Lions a 23–22 victory. Previously during the game, Falcons running back Todd Gurley had accidentally scored a touchdown on a play where the Falcons intended to down the ball at the Lions' 1, run out the clock and kick a field goal.

With the loss, the Falcons fell to 1–6. The Falcons wore their red to black gradient uniforms for the first time ever in this game.

==Week 8: at Carolina Panthers==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 8: Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers – Game summary

|date={{dow tooltip|October 29, 2020}}

|time=8:20 p.m. EDT

|road=Falcons

|R1=6|R2=10|R3=3|R4=6

|home=Panthers

|H1=7|H2=7|H3=3|H4=0

|stadium=Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

|attendance=5,240

|weather=Partly cloudy, {{convert|76|F|C}}

|referee=Shawn Hochuli

|TV=Fox/NFLN/Amazon Prime Video

|TVAnnouncers=Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews and Kristina Pink

|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/falcons-at-panthers-2020-reg-8 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/58275/CAR_Gamebook.pdf Game Book]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 20-yard field goal, 11:14. Falcons 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 72 yards, 3:46.
  • CAR – Curtis Samuel 12-yard run (Joey Slye kick), 0:29. Panthers 7–3. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:00.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 37-yard field goal, 2:36. Panthers 7–6. Drive: 12 plays, 57 yards, 5:38.

Second quarter

  • CAR – Curtis Samuel 29-yard pass from Teddy Bridgewater (Joey Slye kick), 12:40. Panthers 14–6. Drive: 4 plays, 40 yards, 2:07.
  • ATL – Matt Ryan 13-yard run (Younghoe Koo kick), 8:02. Panthers 14–13. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:38.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 36-yard field goal, 0:00. Falcons 16–14. Drive: 10 plays, 47 yards, 3:55.

Third quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 29-yard field goal, 6:22. Falcons 19–14. Drive: 10 plays, 46 yards, 5:10.
  • CAR – Joey Slye 39-yard field goal, 2:59. Falcons 19–17. Drive: 11 plays, 48 yards, 3:23.

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – Todd Gurley 3-yard run (kick failed), 11:01. Falcons 25–17. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 6:58.

|stats=

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

}}

With the win, the Atlanta Falcons got their only win in their division.

==Week 9: vs. Denver Broncos==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 9: Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary

|date=November 8

|time=1:00 p.m. EST

|road=Broncos

|R1=0|R2=3|R3=3|R4=21

|home=Falcons

|H1=10|H2=10|H3=7|H4=7

|stadium=Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

|attendance=7,665

|weather=Cloudy, {{convert|72|F|C}} (retractable roof open)

|referee=Jerome Boger

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers=Greg Gumbel, Rich Gannon and Jay Feely

|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/broncos-at-falcons-2020-reg-9 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/58289/ATL_Gamebook.pdf Game Book]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 52-yard field goal, 9:51. Falcons 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 41 yards, 5:09.
  • ATL – Olamide Zaccheaus 51-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 1:24. Falcons 10–0. Drive: 11 plays, 85 yards, 5:38.

Second quarter

  • DEN – Brandon McManus 43-yard field goal, 12:27. Falcons 10–3. Drive: 9 plays, 52 yards, 2:57.
  • ATL – Brandon Powell 9-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 9:18. Falcons 17–3. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:09.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 35-yard field goal, 1:44. Falcons 20–3. Drive: 12 plays, 67 yards, 5:28.

Third quarter

  • DEN – Brandon McManus 41-yard field goal, 11:02. Falcons 20–6. Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards, 3:58.
  • ATL – Julio Jones 21-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 6:20. Falcons 27–6. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:08.

Fourth quarter

  • DEN – Jerry Jeudy 20-yard pass from Drew Lock (Brandon McManus kick), 13:15. Falcons 27–13. Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 4:03.
  • ATL – Todd Gurley 4-yard run (Younghoe Koo kick), 9:05. Falcons 34–13. Drive: 2 plays, 12 yards, 0:31.
  • DEN – Tim Patrick 9-yard pass from Drew Lock (Brandon McManus kick), 3:53. Falcons 34–20. Drive: 7 plays, 69 yards, 1:45.
  • DEN – Drew Lock 10-yard run (Brandon McManus kick), 1:52. Falcons 34–27. Drive: 5 plays, 28 yards, 1:30.

|stats=

Top passers

  • DEN – Drew Lock – 25/48, 313 yards, 2 TD, INT
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 25/35, 284 yards, 3 TD, INT

Top rushers

  • DEN – Drew Lock – 7 rushes, 47 yards, TD
  • ATL – Todd Gurley – 19 rushes, 53 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • DEN – Jerry Jeudy – 7 receptions, 125 yards, TD
  • ATL – Olamide Zaccheaus – 4 receptions, 103 yards, TD

}}

The Falcons wore white at home for the first time since 2003 against the Broncos. The Falcons would jump out to a 20–3 at halftime, but the Broncos would attempt a comeback, and outscored Falcons 24–14 in the second half, but the Falcons held on to get the win. With the win, the Falcons advanced to 3–6.

==Week 11: at New Orleans Saints==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 11: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints – Game summary

|date=November 22

|time=1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST

|road=Falcons

|R1=3|R2=6|R3=0|R4=0

|home=Saints

|H1=3|H2=7|H3=7|H4=7

|stadium=Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

|attendance=6,000

|weather=None (indoor stadium)

|referee=Brad Allen

|TV=Fox

|TVAnnouncers=Kevin Burkhardt, Daryl Johnston and Pam Oliver

|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/falcons-at-saints-2020-reg-11 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/58323/NO_Gamebook.pdf Game Book]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 28-yard field goal, 11:21. Falcons 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 3:39.
  • NO – Wil Lutz 22-yard field goal, 2:47. Tied 3–3. Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 4:30.

Second quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 51-yard field goal, 13:56. Falcons 6–3. Drive: 10 plays, 42 yards, 3:51.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 52-yard field goal, 4:31. Falcons 9–3. Drive: 8 plays, 36 yards, 2:54.
  • NO – Alvin Kamara 3-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 1:46. Saints 10–9. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 2:45.

Third quarter

  • NO – Taysom Hill 2-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 9:11. Saints 17–9. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:49.

Fourth quarter

  • NO – Taysom Hill 10-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 12:41. Saints 24–9. Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 4:00.

|stats=

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 19/37, 232 yards, 2 INT
  • NO – Taysom Hill – 18/23, 233 yards

Top rushers

  • ATL – Todd Gurley – 8 rushes, 26 yards
  • NO – Taysom Hill – 10 rushes, 51 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

}}

==Week 12: vs. Las Vegas Raiders==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 12: Las Vegas Raiders at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary

|date=November 29

|time=1:00 p.m. EST

|road=Raiders

|R1=0|R2=3|R3=3|R4=0

|home=Falcons

|H1=6|H2=10|H3=14|H4=13

|stadium=Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

|attendance=9,124

|weather=None (retractable roof closed)

|referee=Land Clark

|TV=CBS

|TVAnnouncers= Kevin Harlan, Trent Green and Melanie Collins

|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/raiders-at-falcons-2020-reg-12 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/58332/ATL_Gamebook.pdf Game Book]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 38-yard field goal, 8:26. Falcons 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 25 yards, 3:01.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 39-yard field goal, 7:06. Falcons 6–0. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 1:08.

Second quarter

  • LV – Daniel Carlson 29-yard field goal, 12:59. Falcons 6–3. Drive: 9 plays, 51 yards, 4:25.
  • ATL – Calvin Ridley 4-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 2:17. Falcons 13–3. Drive: 13 plays, 82 yards, 7:21.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 30-yard field goal, 0:02. Falcons 16–3. Drive: 8 plays, 49 yards, 0:59.

Third quarter

  • ATL – Deion Jones 67-yard interception return (Younghoe Koo kick), 11:36. Falcons 23–3.
  • LV – Daniel Carlson 24-yard field goal, 6:39. Falcons 23–6. Drive: 12 plays, 69 yards, 4:57.
  • ATL – Brandon Powell 4-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 2:01. Falcons 30–6. Drive: 11 plays, 88 yards, 4:39.

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 29-yard field goal, 13:34. Falcons 33–6. Drive: 6 plays, 16 yards, 3:07.
  • ATL – Ito Smith 8-yard run (Younghoe Koo kick), 10:48. Falcons 40–6. Drive: 4 plays, 35 yards, 1:25.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 54-yard field goal, 4:57. Falcons 43–6. Drive: 7 plays, 33 yards, 4:27.

|stats=

Top passers

  • LV – Derek Carr – 22/34, 215 yards, INT
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 22/39, 185 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

}}

==Week 13: vs. New Orleans Saints==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons 90thru03|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 13: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary

|date=December 6

|time=1:00 p.m. EST

|road=Saints

|R1=7|R2=7|R3=7|R4=0

|home=Falcons

|H1=3|H2=6|H3=0|H4=7

|stadium=Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

|attendance=8,713

|weather=None (retractable roof closed)

|referee=Adrian Hill

|TV=Fox

|TVAnnouncers=Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Shannon Spake

|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/saints-at-falcons-2020-reg-13 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/58346/ATL_Gamebook.pdf Game Book]

|scoring=

First quarter

Second quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 30-yard field goal, 4:51. Saints 7–6. Drive: 8 plays, 52 yards, 2:49.
  • NO – Jared Cook 11-yard pass from Taysom Hill (Wil Lutz kick), 1:45. Saints 14–6. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:06.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 28-yard field goal, 0:00. Saints 14–9. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 1:45.

Third quarter

  • NO – Alvin Kamara 11-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 9:01. Saints 21–9. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 5:59.

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – Russell Gage 10-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 7:43. Saints 21–16. Drive: 8 plays, 85 yards, 3:26.

|stats=

Top passers

  • NO – Taysom Hill – 27/37, 232 yards, 2 TD
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 19/39, 273 yards, TD

Top rushers

  • NO – Alvin Kamara – 15 rushes, 88 yards, TD
  • ATL – Ito Smith – 8 rushes, 36 yards

Top receivers

}}

==Week 14: at Los Angeles Chargers==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 14: Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Chargers – Game summary

|date=December 13

|time=4:25 p.m. EST/1:25 p.m. PST

|road=Falcons

|R1=7|R2=10|R3=0|R4=0

|home=Chargers

|H1=7|H2=3|H3=7|H4=3

|stadium=SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California

|attendance=0

|weather=None (indoor stadium)

|referee=Tony Corrente

|TV=Fox

|TVAnnouncers=Joe Davis, Brock Huard, Jenny Taft

|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/falcons-at-chargers-2020-reg-14 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/58371/LAC_Gamebook.pdf Game Book]

|scoring=

First quarter

Second quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 45-yard field goal, 9:47. Falcons 10–7. Drive: 8 plays, 40 yards, 3:46
  • LAC – Michael Badgley 35-yard field goal, 8:13. Tied 10–10. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards 1:34
  • ATL – Laquon Treadwell 9-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 4:51. Falcons 17–10. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:22

Third quarter

  • LAC – Tyron Johnson 12-yard pass from Justin Herbert (Michael Badgley kick), 1:10. Tied 17–17. Drive: 13 plays, 85 yards, 8:21

Fourth quarter

  • LAC – Michael Badgley 43-yard field goal, 0:00. Chargers 20–17. Drive: 6 plays, 49 yards, 0:30

|stats=

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 21/31, 224 yards, TD, 3 INT
  • LAC – Justin Herbert – 33/40, 195 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • ATL – Calvin Ridley – 8 receptions, 124 yards, TD
  • LAC – Austin Ekeler – 9 receptions, 67 yards

}}

With the loss to a game-winning field goal, the Falcons were eliminated from playoff contention for the third straight season and failed to achieve a winning season.

==Week 15: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 15: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary

|date=December 20

|time=1:00 p.m. EST

|road=Buccaneers

|R1=0|R2=0|R3=21|R4=10

|home=Falcons

|H1=7|H2=10|H3=7|H4=3

|stadium=Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

|attendance=10,703

|weather=None (retractable roof closed)

|referee=Brad Rogers

|TV=Fox

|TVAnnouncers=Kevin Burkhardt, Daryl Johnston and Pam Oliver

|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/buccaneers-at-falcons-2020-reg-15 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/58382/ATL_Gamebook.pdf Game Book]

|scoring=

First quarter

Second quarter

  • ATL – Calvin Ridley 12-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 7:48. Falcons 14–0. Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 5:10.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 32-yard field goal, 0:15. Falcons 17–0. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 3:29.

Third quarter

  • TB – Leonard Fournette 1-yard run (Ryan Succop kick), 11:28. Falcons 17–7. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 3:32.
  • ATL – Hayden Hurst 7-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 7:34. Falcons 24–7. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:54.
  • TB – Chris Godwin 4-yard pass from Tom Brady (Ryan Succop kick), 3:44. Falcons 24–14. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:50.
  • TB – Leonard Fournette 1-yard run (Ryan Succop kick), 0:05. Falcons 24–21. Drive: 7 plays, 76 yards, 2:48.

Fourth quarter

  • TB – Ryan Succop 27-yard field goal, 11:10. Tied 24–24. Drive: 9 plays, 42 yards, 3:15.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 52-yard field goal, 8:22. Falcons 27–24. Drive: 6 plays, 41 yards, 2:48.
  • TB – Antonio Brown 46-yard pass from Tom Brady (Ryan Succop kick), 6:19. Buccaneers 31–27. Drive: 4 plays, 78 yards, 2:03.

|stats=

Top passers

  • TB – Tom Brady – 31/45, 390 yards, 2 TD
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 34/49, 356 yards, 3 TD

Top rushers

  • TB – Leonard Fournette – 14 rushes, 49 yards, 2 TD
  • ATL – Ito Smith – 6 rushes, 24 yards

Top receivers

  • TB – Mike Evans – 6 receptions, 110 yards
  • ATL – Calvin Ridley – 10 receptions, 163 yards, TD

}}

The Falcons jumped out to a 17–0 lead by halftime, but, in a turn of events similar to Super Bowl LI, Atlanta allowed Tom Brady and the Buccaneers to outscore the Falcons 31–10 in the second half en route to a Tampa Bay victory.

==Week 16: at Kansas City Chiefs==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 16: Atlanta Falcons at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary

|date=December 27

|time=1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST

|road=Falcons

|R1=0|R2=7|R3=0|R4=7

|home=Chiefs

|H1=0|H2=7|H3=0|H4=10

|stadium=Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

|attendance=13,470

|weather={{convert|49|F|C}}

|referee=Craig Wrolstad

|TV=Fox

|TVAnnouncers=Kevin Burkhardt, Daryl Johnston and Pam Oliver

|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/falcons-at-chiefs-2020-reg-16 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/58401/KC_Gamebook.pdf Game Book]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

  • KC – Harrison Butker 53-yard field goal, 14:08. Chiefs 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 28 yards, 2:31.
  • ATL – Laquon Treadwell 5-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 4:33. Falcons 14–10. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:25.
  • KC – Demarcus Robinson 25-yard pass from Patrick Mahomes (Harrison Butker kick), 1:55. Chiefs 17–14. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 2:38.

|stats=

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 27/35, 300 yards, 2 TD
  • KC – Patrick Mahomes – 24/44, 278 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • ATL – Calvin Ridley – 5 receptions, 130 yards
  • KC – Travis Kelce – 7 receptions, 98 yards, TD

}}

Late in the game, the Falcons were in position to tie the game against the defending Super Bowl champions, but Younghoe Koo missed a 39-yard field goal which was partially deflected. With this loss, the Falcons fell to 4-11.

==Week 17: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers==

{{Americanfootballbox

|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2020|border=2}};text-align:center;

|state=autocollapse

|title=Week 17: Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary

|date=January 3, 2021

|time=1:00 p.m. EST

|road=Falcons

|R1=3|R2=7|R3=10|R4=7

|home=Buccaneers

|H1=10|H2=13|H3=0|H4=21

|stadium=Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

|attendance=16,009

|weather=Cloudy, {{convert|65|F|C}}

|referee=Alex Kemp

|TV=Fox

|TVAnnouncers=Chris Myers, Greg Jennings and Jen Hale

|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/falcons-at-buccaneers-2020-reg-17 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/58418/TB_Gamebook.pdf Game Book]

|scoring=

First quarter

  • TB – Chris Godwin 29-yard pass from Tom Brady (Ryan Succop kick), 11:06. Buccaneers 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 68 yards, 3:54.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 22-yard field goal, 3:33. Buccaneers 7–3. Drive: 13 plays, 70 yards, 7:33.
  • TB – Ryan Succop 29-yard field goal, 0:07. Buccaneers 10–3. Drive: 9 plays, 62 yards, 3:26.

Second quarter

  • TB – Antonio Brown 25-yard pass from Tom Brady (Ryan Succop kick), 12:30. Buccaneers 17–3. Drive: 6 plays, 57 yards, 2:14.
  • TB – Ryan Succop 38-yard field goal, 8:44. Buccaneers 20–3. Drive: 6 plays, 19 yards, 2:27.
  • ATL – Matt Ryan 1-yard run (Younghoe Koo kick), 1:56. Buccaneers 20–10. Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 6:48.
  • TB – Ryan Succop 25-yard field goal, 0:00. Buccaneers 23–10. Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 1:56.

Third quarter

  • ATL – Russell Gage 19-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 8:49. Buccaneers 23–17. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 6:11.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 21-yard field goal, 0:30. Buccaneers 23–20. Drive: 15 plays, 79 yards, 6:43.

Fourth quarter

  • TB – Ronald Jones II 3-yard run (Ryan Succop kick), 11:13. Buccaneers 30–20. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:17.
  • ATL – Hayden Hurst 1-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 8:19. Buccaneers 30–27. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:54.
  • TB – Chris Godwin 4-yard pass from Tom Brady (Ryan Succop kick), 3:54. Buccaneers 37–27. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:25.
  • TB – Antonio Brown 30-yard pass from Tom Brady (Ryan Succop kick), 2:52. Buccaneers 44–27. Drive: 3 plays, 38 yards, 0:19.

|stats=

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 29/44, 265 yards, 2 TD
  • TB – Tom Brady – 26/41, 399 yards, 4 TD, INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

}}

With the loss, the Falcons finished last place in the NFC South for the first time since 2007.

=Standings=

==Division==

{{2020 NFC South standings|team=ATL}}

==Conference==

{{2020 NFC standings|team=ATL}}

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • {{official website|http://www.atlantafalcons.com}}

{{Atlanta Falcons}}

{{Atlanta Falcons seasons}}

{{2020 NFL season by team}}

Atlanta

Category:Atlanta Falcons seasons

Atlanta Falcons