2015 Atlanta Falcons season
NFL team season
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The 2015 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 50th in the National Football League (NFL) and their first under new head coach Dan Quinn.
| 2015 Atlanta Falcons season | |
|---|---|
| |
| Owner | Arthur Blank |
| General manager | Thomas Dimitroff |
| Head coach | Dan Quinn |
| Home stadium | Georgia Dome |
| Results | |
| Record | 8–8 |
| Division place | 2nd NFC South |
| Playoffs | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | RB Devonta Freeman WR Julio Jones CB Desmond Trufant FB Patrick DiMarco |
The Falcons started the season 5–0, their best start since 2012. However, they struggled throughout the rest of the season, losing eight of their remaining eleven games to finish at .500 for the first time since 2005. After their Week 15 win at EverBank Field against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Falcons managed to improve their record from the previous season. The highlight of the season was the team's Week 16 victory over their divisional rival Carolina Panthers who were 14–0 coming into the game. The Falcons thus denied the Panthers a perfect regular season, which would have made them the second team since the NFL expanded to a 16-game schedule to achieve that feat.[note 1]
The Falcons' 2015 coaching staff produced three future head coaches: quarterbacks coach Matt LaFleur, offensive assistant Mike McDaniel, and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.
Offseason
Coaching staff changes
- On December 29, 2014 head coach Mike Smith was fired after back-to-back losing seasons.
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced the hiring of Dirk Koetter as their new offensive coordinator.
- On January 15, 2015, the New York Jets announced the hiring of Joe Danna as their new defensive backs coach.
- On January 16, 2015, the Oakland Raiders announced the hiring of Mike Tice as their new offensive line coach.
- On January 18, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Kyle Shanahan as their new offensive coordinator.
- On January 23, 2015, the Chicago Bears announced the hiring of Glenn Pires as their new linebackers coach.
- On January 24, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Raheem Morris as their defensive backs coach and assistant head coach.
- On January 26, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Richard Smith as their defensive coordinator.
- On January 25, 2015, the Falcons promoted Wade Harman Tight Ends Coach, formally the assistant offensive line coach.
- On January 29, 2015, the San Diego Chargers announced the hiring of Mike Nolan as their linebackers coach.
- On January 31, 2015, the San Francisco 49ers announced the hiring of Tim Lewis as their defensive backs coach.
- On February 2, 2015, Dan Quinn was hired as the Falcons' 16th head coach.
- On February 2, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Chris Morgan as their offensive line coach.
- On February 3, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Bobby Turner as their running backs coach.
- On February 3, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Mike LaFleur as their offensive assistant.
- On February 3, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Marquand Manuel as their defensive backs coach and senior defensive consultant.
- On February 4, 2015, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced the hiring of Andrew Weidinger as their offensive assistant.
- On February 4, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Steve Scarnecchia as their assistant to head coach coach.
- On February 8, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Jeff Ulbrich as their linebackers coach.
- On February 10, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Matt LaFleur as their Quarterback coach.
- On February 10, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Doug Mallory as their defensive Assistant & Linebackers coach.
- On February 10, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Mike McDaniel as their offensive assistant.
- On February 10, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Chad Walker as their defensive assistant & defensive backs coach.
- On February 10, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Keith Carter as their assistant offensive line coach.
Free agents
Re-signings
| Date | Player | Position | Contract | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 24, 2015 | Cliff Matthews | Defensive end | 2 years / $1,505,000 | [1] |
| February 24, 2015 | Patrick DiMarco | Fullback | 2 years / $1,495,000 | [1] |
| February 25, 2015 | Matt Bryant | Kicker | 3 years / $8,500,000 | [2] |
| March 3, 2015 | Nate Stupar | Linebacker | 1 years / $585,000 | [3] |
| March 5, 2015 | Charles Godfrey | Safety | 1 years / $1,500,000 | [4] |
| March 6, 2015 | Eric Weems | Wide receiver | 2 years / $3,000,000 | [5] |
| March 9, 2015 | T. J. Yates | Quarterback | 1 years / $1,500,000 | [6] |
| March 10, 2015 | Antone Smith | Running back | 1 years / $1,400,000 | [7] |
| March 18, 2015 | Kroy Biermann | Linebacker | 1 years / $1,925,000 | [8] |
Team additions
Departures
2015 draft class
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | Vic Beasley | Linebacker | Clemson | |
| 2 | 42 | Jalen Collins | Cornerback | LSU | |
| 3 | 73 | Tevin Coleman | Running back | Indiana | |
| 4 | 107 | Justin Hardy | Wide receiver | East Carolina | |
| 5 | 137 | Grady Jarrett | Defensive tackle | Clemson | |
| 6 | 185 | None – see below | |||
| 7 | 225 | Jake Rodgers | Offensive tackle | Eastern Washington | |
| 249 | Akeem King | Safety | San Jose State | ||
Notes
- The Falcons acquired an additional seventh-round selection (No. 249 overall) as part of a trade that sent the team's 2013 first-, third- and sixth-round selections to the St. Louis Rams.
- The Falcons were not rewarded with any compensatory picks this year.
- The Falcons traded their fifth- (No. 146 overall) and sixth-round (No. 185 overall) picks to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for the Vikings' fifth-round selection (No. 137 overall).
Staff
|
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
|
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
|
Final roster
Preseason
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 14 | Tennessee Titans | W 31–24 | 1–0 | Georgia Dome | Recap |
| 2 | August 21 | at New York Jets | L 22–30 | 1–1 | MetLife Stadium | Recap |
| 3 | August 29 | at Miami Dolphins | L 9–13 | 1–2 | Sun Life Stadium | Recap |
| 4 | September 3 | Baltimore Ravens | W 20–19 | 2–2 | Georgia Dome | Recap |
Regular season
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 14 | Philadelphia Eagles | W 26–24 | 1–0 | Georgia Dome | Recap | ||
| 2 | September 20 | at New York Giants | W 24–20 | 2–0 | MetLife Stadium | Recap | ||
| 3 | September 27 | at Dallas Cowboys | W 39–28 | 3–0 | AT&T Stadium | Recap | ||
| 4 | October 4 | Houston Texans | W 48–21 | 4–0 | Georgia Dome | Recap | ||
| 5 | October 11 | Washington Redskins | W 25–19 (OT) | 5–0 | Georgia Dome | Recap | ||
| 6 | October 15 | at New Orleans Saints | L 21–31 | 5–1 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap | ||
| 7 | October 25 | at Tennessee Titans | W 10–7 | 6–1 | Nissan Stadium | Recap | ||
| 8 | November 1 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 20–23 (OT) | 6–2 | Georgia Dome | Recap | ||
| 9 | November 8 | at San Francisco 49ers | L 16–17 | 6–3 | Levi's Stadium | Recap | ||
| 10 | Bye | |||||||
| 11 | November 22 | Indianapolis Colts | L 21–24 | 6–4 | Georgia Dome | Recap | ||
| 12 | November 29 | Minnesota Vikings | L 10–20 | 6–5 | Georgia Dome | Recap | ||
| 13 | December 6 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 19–23 | 6–6 | Raymond James Stadium | Recap | ||
| 14 | December 13 | at Carolina Panthers | L 0–38 | 6–7 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap | ||
| 15 | December 20 | at Jacksonville Jaguars | W 23–17 | 7–7 | EverBank Field | Recap | ||
| 16 | December 27 | Carolina Panthers | W 20–13 | 8–7 | Georgia Dome | Recap | ||
| 17 | January 3 | New Orleans Saints | L 17–20 | 8–8 | Georgia Dome | Recap | ||
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week One: Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagles | 0 | 3 | 14 | 7 | 24 |
| Falcons | 3 | 17 | 0 | 6 | 26 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: September 14
- Game time: 7:10 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 70,516
- Referee: Terry McAulay
- TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
With the win, the Falcons began their season 1–0.
Week 2: at New York Giants
Week Two: Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons | 7 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 24 |
| Giants | 0 | 13 | 7 | 0 | 20 |
at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Date: September 20
- Game time: 1:00 pm. EDT
- Game weather: 74 °F (23 °C), sunny
- Game attendance: 77,678
- Referee: Brad Allen
- TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Pam Oliver
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
The Giants would lead 20–17 with below 2 minutes left, but Atlanta was able to pull off the comeback, scoring with 1:14 remaining after Devonta Freeman took it in from a yard out. New York tried to come back, but the Falcons would force a turnover on downs to end the game.
With the win, Atlanta improved to 2–0.
Week 3: at Dallas Cowboys
Week Three: Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons | 7 | 10 | 8 | 14 | 39 |
| Cowboys | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
- Date: September 27
- Game time: 1:00 pm. EDT/12:00 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 90,345
- Referee: Pete Morelli
- TV announcers (Fox): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Erin Andrews
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
The Falcons would trail 14–28 at one point, but they would pull off their second comeback in as many weeks, as they scored 25 unanswered points afterwards to ultimately win 39–28.
With the win, the Falcons improved to 3–0 for the first time since 2012.
Week 4: vs. Houston Texans
Week Four: Houston Texans at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texans | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 21 |
| Falcons | 7 | 21 | 14 | 6 | 48 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: October 4
- Game time: 1:00 pm. EDT
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 69,904
- Referee: Carl Cheffers
- TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
The Falcons routed the Texans 48–21 at home. Atlanta would build a 42–0 lead, but Houston put up a fight, as they would outscore Atlanta 21–6 for the remainder of the game. However, the Falcons still won in a blowout.
With the win, the Falcons improved to 4–0.
Week 5: vs. Washington Redskins
Week Five: Washington Redskins at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redskins | 0 | 7 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 19 |
| Falcons | 0 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 6 | 25 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: October 11
- Game time: 1:00 pm. EDT
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 70,178
- Referee: Bill Vinovich
- TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
the Falcons would win this game in overtime against the Redskins. In overtime, the game was sealed away after Robert Alford returned an interception 59 yards for a touchdown to end the game.
With the win, Atlanta started 5–0 for the first time since 2012.
Week 6: at New Orleans Saints
Week Six: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 21 |
| Saints | 14 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 31 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Date: October 15
- Game time: 8:25 pm. EDT/7:25 pm. CDT
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 73,018
- Referee: Gene Steratore
- TV announcers (CBS/NFLN): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Tracy Wolfson
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
The Falcons suffered their first loss of the season in New Orleans on Thursday Night Football. The Saints would lead the entire game. The Falcons would tie it, but that was the closest they would come to striking distance, as the Saints won 31–21.
With the loss, the Falcons fell to 5–1.
Week 7: at Tennessee Titans
Week Seven: Atlanta Falcons at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
| Titans | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
- Date: October 25
- Game time: 1:00 pm. EDT/12:00 pm. CDT
- Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C), cloudy
- Game attendance: 63,329
- Referee: Brad Allen
- TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis and Tony Siragusa
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
With the win, the Falcons improved to 6–1.
Week 8: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week Eight: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buccaneers | 3 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 23 |
| Falcons | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 20 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: November 1
- Game time: 1:00 pm. EST
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 70,524
- Referee: Ron Torbert
- TV announcers (Fox): Justin Kutcher, Charles Davis and Tony Siragusa
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
With the loss, the Falcons fell to 6–2.
Week 9: at San Francisco 49ers
Week Nine: Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons | 3 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 16 |
| 49ers | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California
- Date: November 8
- Game time: 4:05 pm. EST/1:05 p.m. PST
- Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C), cloudy
- Game attendance: 70,799
- Referee: Tony Corrente
- TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
This game was notable for Dan Quinn choosing to kick a field goal at 1 yard line with 1:49 left in the fourth quarter rather than going for it on 4th down, resulting in a bitter loss that dropped the Falcons to 6–3.
Week 11: vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week Eleven: Indianapolis Colts at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colts | 0 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 24 |
| Falcons | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: November 22
- Game time: 1:00 pm. EST
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 70,433
- Referee: Walt Anderson
- TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Trent Green and Jamie Erdahl
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
The Falcons would lead 21–7 at one point, but Indianapolis would rally to erase it after D'Qwell Jackson returned an interception 6 yards to tie it at 21. The Colts would eventually go down the field to win it with an Adam Vinatieri field goal from 43 yards with 52 seconds left.
With the loss, Atlanta fell to 6–4.
Week 12: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Week Twelve: Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vikings | 7 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 20 |
| Falcons | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: November 29
- Game time: 1:00 pm. EST
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 70,610
- Referee: Clete Blakeman
- TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Pam Oliver
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
With the loss, the Falcons fell to 6–5.
Week 13: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week Thirteen: Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons | 0 | 9 | 3 | 7 | 19 |
| Buccaneers | 7 | 0 | 9 | 7 | 23 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
- Date: December 6
- Game time: 1:00 pm. EST
- Game weather: 79 °F (26 °C), cloudy
- Game attendance: 58,221
- Referee: Ed Hochuli
- TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, David Diehl and Kristina Pink
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
With the loss, the Falcons fell to 6–6.
Week 14: at Carolina Panthers
Week Fourteen: Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Panthers | 21 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 38 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
The Falcons would suffer a blowout and shutout loss to undefeated Carolina. The Falcons would struggle all day, as the Panthers romped them 38–0, their worst shutout loss since 2004.
With the loss, the Falcons fell to 6–7. This is the first and only time they had been under .500 all season.
Week 15: at Jacksonville Jaguars
Week Fifteen: Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons | 7 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 23 |
| Jaguars | 0 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 17 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
With the win, the Falcons improved to 7–7. They finished 3-1 vs AFC South.
Week 16: vs. Carolina Panthers
Week Sixteen: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panthers | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 13 |
| Falcons | 0 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 20 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: December 27
- Game time: 1:00 pm. EST
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 70,981
- Referee: John Parry
- TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Pam Oliver
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
In a major upset win, the Atlanta Falcons defeated Carolina 20–13, spoiling the Panthers' run at a perfect season. Unfortunately for the Falcons, they were eliminated from playoff contention due to the Minnesota Vikings' 49–17 win against the New York Giants later in the day.
Week 17: vs. New Orleans Saints
Week Seventeen: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saints | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 20 |
| Falcons | 3 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: January 3, 2016
- Game time: 1:00 pm. EST
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 69,699
- Referee: Craig Wrolstad
- TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen, Matt Millen and Peter Schrager
- Recap, Gamebook
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
With the loss, the Falcons ended their season 8–8, and finished 1–5 against their division. For the first time since the 2013 season, they were swept by the New Orleans Saints who also finished their season with a 7-9 Record.
Statistics
Team leaders
| Category | Player(s) | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Passing yards | Matt Ryan | 4,591 |
| Passing touchdowns | Matt Ryan | 21 |
| Rushing yards | Devonta Freeman | 1,061 |
| Rushing touchdowns | Devonta Freeman | 11 |
| Receptions | Julio Jones | 136 |
| Receiving yards | Julio Jones | 1,871 |
| Receiving touchdowns | Julio Jones | 8 |
| Points | Matt Bryant | 83 |
| Kickoff return yards | Eric Weems | 403 |
| Punt return yards | Eric Weems | 221 |
| Tackles | Paul Worrilow | 95 |
| Sacks | Vic Beasley | 4.0 |
| Interceptions | Ricardo Allen | 3 |
| Forced fumbles | Vic Beasley | 2 |
Stats as of week 16.[47]
Standings
Division
| NFC South | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
| (1) Carolina Panthers | 15 | 1 | 0 | .938 | 5–1 | 11–1 | 500 | 308 | W1 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 1–5 | 5–7 | 339 | 345 | L1 |
| New Orleans Saints | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 3–3 | 5–7 | 408 | 476 | W2 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 3–3 | 5–7 | 342 | 417 | L4 |
Conference
| # | Team | Division | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | SOS | SOV | STK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division Leaders | |||||||||||
| 1 | Carolina Panthers | South | 15 | 1 | 0 | .938 | 5–1 | 11–1 | .441 | .438 | W1 |
| 2 | Arizona Cardinals | West | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 4–2 | 10–2 | .477 | .457 | L1 |
| 3 | Minnesota Vikings | North | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 5–1 | 8–4 | .504 | .449 | W3 |
| 4 | Washington Redskins | East | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 4–2 | 8–4 | .465 | .403 | W4 |
| Wild Cards | |||||||||||
| 5[a] | Green Bay Packers | North | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 3–3 | 7–5 | .531 | .450 | L2 |
| 6[a] | Seattle Seahawks | West | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 3–3 | 7–5 | .520 | .431 | W1 |
| Did not qualify for the postseason | |||||||||||
| 7 | Atlanta Falcons | South | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 1–5 | 5–7 | .480 | .453 | L1 |
| 8[b] | St. Louis Rams | West | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 4–2 | 6–6 | .527 | .482 | L1 |
| 9[b] | Detroit Lions | North | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 3–3 | 6–6 | .535 | .429 | W3 |
| 10[b] | Philadelphia Eagles | East | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 3–3 | 4–8 | .508 | .473 | W1 |
| 11[b] | New Orleans Saints | South | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 3–3 | 5–7 | .504 | .402 | W2 |
| 12[c] | New York Giants | East | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 2–4 | 4–8 | .500 | .396 | L3 |
| 13[c] | Chicago Bears | North | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 1–5 | 3–9 | .547 | .469 | L1 |
| 14[c] | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | South | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 3–3 | 5–7 | .484 | .406 | L4 |
| 15 | San Francisco 49ers | West | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 4–8 | .539 | .463 | W1 |
| 16 | Dallas Cowboys | East | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 3–3 | 3–9 | .531 | .438 | L4 |
| Tiebreakers[d] | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
Notes
- The 2007 Patriots were the first; however, the Patriots lost to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. When the NFL regular season was only 14 games long, the 1972 Miami Dolphins achieved a complete perfect season finishing 17—0, while when it was still shorter, the Chicago Bears achieved perfect regular seasons in both 1934 and 1942, but lost the NFL Championship game on both occasions.