The
2002 season was the
Atlanta Falcons' 37th in the
National Football League (NFL) and their first in the newly formed
NFC South. It was also the team's first season under new owner
Arthur Blank, who acquired the team during the 2002 offseason. The team improved upon their
previous season's output of 7–9 and qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 1998. The team was also involved in a rare tie, matching
the Pittsburgh Steelers 34–34 at the end of overtime.[1] This was the last time the Atlanta Falcons ended a season with a tie.
Before the season, the Falcons acquired running back
Warrick Dunn to help with the team’s running game. Their running game had suffered the past three years. Dunn finished the season with 927 rushing yards and 9 total touchdowns. With the boost of Dunn, the Falcons rushed for 2,368 yards (148 yards per game) and 23 touchdowns, both the fourth-best in the NFL.
After seeing limited action as a rookie, this was
Michael Vick's first full season as starting quarterback.
This was
Dan Reeves' last full season as head coach as he was replaced by interim
Wade Phillips during the following season.
Vick and linebacker
Keith Brooking were voted to play in the Pro Bowl after the season. However, neither Vick not Brooking actually participated in the game. The Pro Bowl was Vick's first and Brooking's second. It was the final season the Falcons used their traditional black falcon helmet logo.
The last remaining active member of the 2002 Atlanta Falcons was quarterback
Michael Vick, who played his final NFL game in the
2015 season, although he missed the
2007 and
2008 seasons.
^
abcPhiladelphia finished ahead of Tampa Bay and Green Bay based on conference record (11–1 vs 9–3/9–3).
^
abTampa Bay finished ahead of Green Bay based on head-to-head victory.
^
abSt. Louis finished ahead of Seattle based on division record (4–2 to 2–4).
^
abWashington finished ahead of Carolina based on common games (2–3 to 1–4)
^
abArizona finished ahead of Dallas based on head-to-head victory.
^When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.
The
2002 season was the
Atlanta Falcons' 37th in the
National Football League (NFL) and their first in the newly formed
NFC South. It was also the team's first season under new owner
Arthur Blank, who acquired the team during the 2002 offseason. The team improved upon their
previous season's output of 7–9 and qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 1998. The team was also involved in a rare tie, matching
the Pittsburgh Steelers 34–34 at the end of overtime.[1] This was the last time the Atlanta Falcons ended a season with a tie.
Before the season, the Falcons acquired running back
Warrick Dunn to help with the team’s running game. Their running game had suffered the past three years. Dunn finished the season with 927 rushing yards and 9 total touchdowns. With the boost of Dunn, the Falcons rushed for 2,368 yards (148 yards per game) and 23 touchdowns, both the fourth-best in the NFL.
After seeing limited action as a rookie, this was
Michael Vick's first full season as starting quarterback.
This was
Dan Reeves' last full season as head coach as he was replaced by interim
Wade Phillips during the following season.
Vick and linebacker
Keith Brooking were voted to play in the Pro Bowl after the season. However, neither Vick not Brooking actually participated in the game. The Pro Bowl was Vick's first and Brooking's second. It was the final season the Falcons used their traditional black falcon helmet logo.
The last remaining active member of the 2002 Atlanta Falcons was quarterback
Michael Vick, who played his final NFL game in the
2015 season, although he missed the
2007 and
2008 seasons.
^
abcPhiladelphia finished ahead of Tampa Bay and Green Bay based on conference record (11–1 vs 9–3/9–3).
^
abTampa Bay finished ahead of Green Bay based on head-to-head victory.
^
abSt. Louis finished ahead of Seattle based on division record (4–2 to 2–4).
^
abWashington finished ahead of Carolina based on common games (2–3 to 1–4)
^
abArizona finished ahead of Dallas based on head-to-head victory.
^When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.