| Team: | Atlanta Falcons |
| Year: | 2018 |
| Record: | 7–9 |
| Division Place: | 2nd NFC South |
| Coach: | Dan Quinn |
| Owner: | Arthur Blank |
| General Manager: | Thomas Dimitroff |
| Stadium: | Mercedes-Benz Stadium |
| Playoffs: | Did not qualify |
| Uniform: | File:Atlanta falcons unif 16.png |
| Shortnavlink: | Falcons seasons |
The 2018 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 53rd in the National Football League (NFL), their second playing their home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (the venue for Super Bowl LIII) and their fourth under head coach Dan Quinn. The Falcons attempted to be the first team to play the Super Bowl in their home stadium as an expected Super Bowl contender. However, the Falcons were riddled with injuries, losing 7 starters to IR with the Falcons stumbling to a 1–4 start.
Following a 31–17 loss to the Saints in Week 12, the Falcons fell to 4–7 and failed to match their 10–6 campaign from 2017. With a 34–20 loss to the Green Bay Packers, the Falcons fell to 4–9 and suffered their first losing season since the 2014 season. Despite beating the Arizona Cardinals 40–14 in Week 15, the Falcons were eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since 2015 with a win by the Minnesota Vikings. From 2018 to present, the Falcons have failed to make the playoffs along with having a losing season.[1] However, they were able to end their season with a 3 game win streak to finish 7–9.
| Position | Player | 2018 Team | Date signed | Contract | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 5, 2018 | 1 year, $880,000 | ||||
| March 10, 2018 | 3 years, $10.1 million | ||||
| March 13, 2018 | 4 years, $26 million | ||||
| March 15, 2018 | 3 years, $28 million |
See main article: 2018 NFL draft.
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Calvin Ridley | Alabama | |||
| 2 | 58 | ||||
| 3 | 90 | ||||
| 4 | 126 | ||||
| 6 | 194 | from Los Angeles Rams | |||
| 200 |
Draft trades
The Falcons' preseason opponents and schedule was announced on April 11.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | at New York Jets | L 0–17 | 0–1 | MetLife Stadium | Recap | ||
| 2 | Kansas City Chiefs | L 14–28 | 0–2 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Recap | ||
| 3 | at Jacksonville Jaguars | L 6–17 | 0–3 | EverBank Field | Recap | ||
| 4 | Miami Dolphins | L 7–34 | 0–4 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Recap |
The Falcons were the only NFC South team to lose to all of their AFC North opponents in 2018.
Matt Ryan eclipsed 4,000 yards, becoming the third quarterback in NFL history to reach 4,000 in at least eight consecutive seasons, joining Drew Brees (2006-2017) & Peyton Manning (2006-2014).[4] Julio Jones eclipsed 1,400 yards and became the first player in NFL history to register five consecutive seasons with at least 1,400 yards.[5]
Despite this win, Minnesota's win to Miami eliminated the Falcons from post-season contention and once again assures that the Super Bowl host team will not play the championship game on their own field.