| Team: | Atlanta Falcons |
| Year: | 2022 |
| Record: | 7–10 |
| Division Place: | 4th NFC South |
| Owner: | Arthur Blank |
| General Manager: | Terry Fontenot |
| Stadium: | Mercedes-Benz Stadium |
| Playoffs: | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers: | G Chris Lindstrom |
| Ap All-Pros: | G Chris Lindstrom (2nd team) |
| Uniform: | File:Atlanta Falcons Uniforms 2022.png |
| Shortnavlink: | Falcons seasons |
The 2022 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 57th in the National Football League (NFL), their sixth playing their home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and their second under head coach Arthur Smith.
The Falcons matched their 7–10 record from the previous season, but failed to qualify for the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.[1] Despite the setbacks, the Falcons defeated quarterback Tom Brady for the first time ever in his career during the last game of the regular season, avenging their Super Bowl LI loss.[2] Also notable for the first time since 2007, long-time quarterback Matt Ryan was not on the roster as the Falcons traded him to Indianapolis on March 21.[3] The team signed former Tennessee Titans and Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota as their new quarterback on the same day. Mariota was reunited with Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, who served as the tight ends coach and offensive coordinator during Mariota's tenure with Tennessee (2015–2019).[4]
It was the first season since 2017 that Calvin Ridley was not on the roster.
See main article: 2022 NFL draft.
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | ||||||
| 2 | 38 | from Carolina via NY Jets and NY Giants | ||||
| 43 | Traded to the New York Giants | |||||
| 58 | from Tennessee | |||||
| 3 | 74 | |||||
| 82 | from Indianapolis | |||||
| 4 | 114 | Traded to the New York Giants | ||||
| 5 | 151 | |||||
| 6 | 190 | |||||
| 213 | Compensatory pick | |||||
| 7 | 231 | Traded to Buffalo | ||||
| Name | Position | College | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| WR | Ferris State | [5] | |
| Stanley Berryhill | Arizona | ||
| Kuony Deng | OLB | California | |
| Matt Hankins | CB | Iowa | |
| Brad Hawkins | S | Michigan | |
| Timmy Horne | DT | Kansas State | |
| Tyshaun James | WR | Central Connecticut | |
| Nate Landman | LB | Colorado | |
| Clint Ratkovich | FB | Northern Illinois | [6] |
| Bryce Rodgers | DT | UC Davis | |
| Derrick Tangelo | Penn State | ||
| Seth Vernon | P | Portland State | |
| Tyler Vrabel | OT | Boston College | |
| Leroy Watson | TE | UTSA |
The Falcons' preseason opponents and schedule were announced in the spring.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | at Detroit Lions | W 27–23 | 1–0 | Ford Field | Recap | ||
| 2 | at New York Jets | L 16–24 | 1–1 | Metlife Stadium | Recap | ||
| 3 | Jacksonville Jaguars | W 28–12 | 2–1 | Mercedes Benz Stadium | Recap |
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 11 | New Orleans Saints | L 26–27 | 0–1 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Recap | |
| 2 | September 18 | at Los Angeles Rams | L 27–31 | 0–2 | SoFi Stadium | Recap | |
| 3 | September 25 | at Seattle Seahawks | W 27–23 | 1–2 | Lumen Field | Recap | |
| 4 | October 2 | Cleveland Browns | W 23–20 | 2–2 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Recap | |
| 5 | October 9 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 15–21 | 2–3 | Raymond James Stadium | Recap | |
| 6 | October 16 | San Francisco 49ers | W 28–14 | 3–3 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Recap | |
| 7 | October 23 | at Cincinnati Bengals | L 17–35 | 3–4 | Paycor Stadium | Recap | |
| 8 | October 30 | Carolina Panthers | W 37–34 | 4–4 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Recap | |
| 9 | November 6 | Los Angeles Chargers | L 17–20 | 4–5 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Recap | |
| 10 | at Carolina Panthers | L 15–25 | 4–6 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap | ||
| 11 | November 20 | Chicago Bears | W 27–24 | 5–6 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Recap | |
| 12 | November 27 | at Washington Commanders | L 13–19 | 5–7 | FedExField | Recap | |
| 13 | December 4 | Pittsburgh Steelers | L 16–19 | 5–8 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Recap | |
| 14 | Bye | ||||||
| 15 | December 18 | at New Orleans Saints | L 18–21 | 5–9 | Caesars Superdome | Recap | |
| 16 | at Baltimore Ravens | L 9–17 | 5–10 | M&T Bank Stadium | Recap | ||
| 17 | January 1 | Arizona Cardinals | W 20–19 | 6–10 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Recap | |
| 18 | January 8 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 30–17 | 7–10 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Recap | |
Despite this game having no playoff implications for either team, the Falcons beat the Buccaneers 30-17, officially getting the franchise's first ever victory against Tom Brady.[7] The game featured several milestones for the Falcons rookie class. Quarterback Desmond Ridder threw his first (and second) career touchdown pass,[8] running back Tyler Allgeier passed the 1,000 yard rushing mark while setting the franchise rookie record, and wide receiver Drake London passed tight-end Kyle Pitts for the most receptions by a rookie in franchise history.[9] Following their victory and the rest of the Week 18 results, the Falcons secured the 8th spot in the 2023 NFL draft.[10]
| Category | Player(s) | Value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | Marcus Mariota | 2,219 | |
| Passing touchdowns | Marcus Mariota | 15 | |
| Rushing yards | Tyler Allgeier | 1,035 | |
| Rushing touchdowns | Cordarrelle Patterson | 8 | |
| Receptions | Drake London | 72 | |
| Receiving yards | Drake London | 866 | |
| Receiving touchdowns | 4 | ||
| Points | Younghoe Koo | 129 | |
| Kickoff return yards | Avery Williams | 313 | |
| Punt return yards | Avery Williams | 296 | |
| Tackles | Rashaan Evans | 159 | |
| Sacks | Grady Jarrett | 6.0 | |
| Forced fumbles | Arnold Ebiketie | 2 | |
| Interceptions | Richie Grant Jaylinn Hawkins Mykal Walker | 2 | |
| Pass deflections | A. J. Terrell | 9 |
| Category | Total points | Points per game | NFL rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offensive points scored | 365 | 21.5 | 15th | |
| Defensive points allowed | 386 | 22.7 | 23rd |