2006 Atlanta Falcons season The 2006 Atlanta Falcons season began with the team trying to improve on their 8 – 8 record in 2005 . Offseason . NFL Draft . In the 2006 NFL Draft , the Falcons used their first pick ( originally from the Packers , Broncos , and the 49ers ) on Virginia Tech DB Jimmy Williams . They then used their next pick on Mississippi St . RB Jerious Norwood . The rest of their picks included Syracuse OT Quinn Ojinnaka , Fresno St . WR Adam Jennings , and Georgia QB D . J . Shockley . Regular season . Week 1 : at Carolina Panthers . " at Bank of America Stadium , Charlotte , North Carolina " < br > The Falcons opened the regular season on the road against the Carolina Panthers on September 10 . Even though the Panthers scored first , with opposing kicker John Kasay getting a 54 - yard field goal , the Falcons responded with a field goal of their own , as kicker Michael Koenen booted a 25 - yarder . In the second quarter , the Falcons unleashed their best , as Koenen got a 32 - yard field goal and QB Michael Vick completed a 34 - yard pass to WR Michael Jenkins . The Panthers tried to respond in the third quarter with Kasay kicking a 46 - yard field goal , but Vick and the Falcons put the game away with a 1 - yard TD pass to TE Alge Crumpler . Other than Vick having a good game , Warrick Dunn contributed with 132 rushing yards , while Atlanta ' s newest member , defensive end John Abraham , had 5 tackles , 2 sacks and two forced fumbles . Week 2 : vs . Tampa Bay Buccaneers . " at the Georgia Dome , Atlanta , Georgia " < br > The Falcons entered their Week 2 home - opener against another NFC South rival , the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . The only Atlanta scores of the game came in the first quarter , with a 1 - yard TD run on QB Michael Vick ' s QB sneak . The only other Falcons score came in the second quarter , with RB Fred McCrary getting a 4 - yard TD run . The Buccaneers only score of the game came in the second quarter , with opposing kicker Matt Bryant kicking a 22 - yard field goal . The ground game made short work of the Tampa Defense , with Michael Vick and Warrick Dunn combining for 261 rushing yards . Rookie running back Jerious Norwood added 45 more rushing yards to the Falcon ' s total . The Falcons set a new franchise record for rushing yards in a game with 306 . On the other side of the ball , the Falcons defense shut down the Tampa offense , with DeAngelo Hall picking off two passes and Jason Webster picking off one . Also , they held Tampa Bay RB Carnell " Cadillac " Williams to just 37 yards on 15 carries . Special teams struggled as kicker Michael Koenen missed three field goals and had one blocked , making him 2 / 8 so far this season . Week 3 : at New Orleans Saints . " at the Louisiana Superdome , New Orleans , Louisiana " < br > Following two - straight wins over two division opponents ( the Bucs and the Panthers ) , the Falcons flew to the Louisiana Superdome to take on the New Orleans Saints ( who were playing in the Superdome for the first time since Dec . ' 04 ) for an NFC South match - up on Monday Night . From the get - go the Falcons trailed , when they had a punt blocked by Saints safety Steve Gleason and DB Curtis Deloatch landed on the ball in the end zone for the touchdown . The Falcons would respond , as kicker Morten Andersen ( who used to play for the Saints ) kicked a 26 - yard field goal . That would be their only score of the night , as WR Devery Henderson ran for an 11 - yard TD on a reverse . Then , Saints kicker John Carney would provide the remaining points for the New Orleans , as he kicked two field goals in the second quarter ( a 37 - yarder and a 51 - yarder ) and one field goal in the third ( a 20 - yarder ) . The Falcons would fall to 2 - 1 , as their offense got swapped , battered , and bruised . QB Michael Vick got sacked five times , while he and RB Warrick Dunn would only combine for 101 rushing yards . Week 4 : vs . Arizona Cardinals . " at the Georgia Dome , Atlanta , Georgia " < br > Coming into this game , the Falcons were ( once again ) the number one rushing team in the NFL . Against the hapless Arizona Cardinals , QB Mike Vick and RB Jerious Norwood both ran for over 100 yards each , making the Falcons the only NFL team in history to have a quarterback and running back run for 100 + yards in a game " twice " in a franchise ' s history . ( Vick and RB Warrick Dunn both surpassed the 100 - yard rushing mark in Week 2 ) . Jerious Norwood also set a new franchise record for the longest run in team history with a 78 yard touchdown . They took on Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals . Atlanta ' s victory was led by their defense and they ended Kurt Warner ' s undefeated streak at the Georgia Dome . Warner was promptly benched because of his sub - par play ; Patrick Kerney ' s two sacks didn ' t help his cause either . Matt Leinart played in his first NFL game as a rookie . Even with Arizona ' s adjustments , the Falcons managed to rebound and held on to win 32 - 10 . Atlanta would end into its Bye Week at 3 - 1 . Week 6 : vs . New York Giants . " at the Georgia Dome , Atlanta , Georgia " < br > Coming off their Bye Week , the Falcons lost their second game of the season against the New York Giants . A defensive battle early in the game , the first quarter went scoreless . The Giants got on the board first when former Falcons kicker Jay Feely connected on a 21 yard field goal midway through the second quarter . The Falcons responded when quarterback Michael Vick scored on a 22 yard rushing touchdown to take a 7 - 3 halftime lead . Falcons running back Warrick Dunn opened the second half in a big way , scoring on a franchise record 90 yard touchdown run . That was all the Falcons had left as the Giants proceeded to score 24 unanswered points to take control of the game when many of the Falcons ' vaunted defensive starters had to leave the game due to injury . Quarterback Eli Manning hit tight end Jeremy Shockey twice for touchdowns in the second half , and backup running back Brandon Jacobs ran one in . Giants running back Tiki Barber rushed for a season high 185 yards , and Feely added another field goal . Week 7 : vs . Pittsburgh Steelers . " at the Georgia Dome , Atlanta , Georgia " < br > The Falcons welcomed the defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers to town . The Falcons knew they would be in a battle but no one knew what to expect . In what would turnout to be the shootout of the year the Falcons beat the Steelers in overtime 41 - 38 . The Falcons recovered a Steelers fumble after they punted to start the game . On the very next play Michael Vick hit Alge Crumpler for a 22 - yard touchdown pass . It was the first of what would be a career - high four touchdown pass game for Vick . After Steelers ' kicker Jeff Reed kicked a 28 - yard the Steelers defense held tough and forced the Falcons to give up the ball again when Steeler ' s safety Troy Polamalu intercepted Vick . Steelers ' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hit , Georgia native and Steelers ' receiver , Hines Ward for a 11 - yard touchdown pass to give the Steelers a 10 - 7 lead after one quarter of play . On the next Steeler ' s drive Ben Roethlisberger found Heath Miller for a 1 - yard touchdown pass to give the Steelers a 17 - 7 lead . The Steelers than fumbled on the first play of their following drive and the Falcons took over . Six plays later Vick found Crumpler again this time for a 3 yard touchdown pass to cut the Steelers lead to 17 - 14 . The teams would exchange touchdowns and the Steelers lead at halftime 24 - 21 . The first score of the 2nd half came after another Steelers fumble when Warrick Dunn scored on a 3 - yard touchdown run to put the Falcons ahead for the 2nd time in the game 28 - 24 . Steeler ' s backup quarterback Charlie Batch , who came in for an injured Roethlisberger , hit Ward for a 70 - yard touchdown pass to give the Steelers a 31 - 28 lead . The Falcons answered right back when Vick found Crumpler for a 3rd time in the game with a 31 - yard touchdown pass that put the Falcons ahead 35 - 31 . After the Falcon ' s Morten Andersen kicked a 25 yard field goal to give the Falcons a 38 - 31 lead the Steelers came back again with a Batch 17 - yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 38 and force overtime . In overtime the Falcons won the coin toss . Falcons kicker Morten Andersen , after a 11 play 65 yard drive , put the capper on the game with a 32 - yard field goal to give the Falcons an overtime victory over the defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers . Week 8 : at Cincinnati Bengals . " at Paul Brown Stadium , Cincinnati , Ohio " < br > In Week 8 , the Falcons traveled to Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati to take on the Bengals . The star of the game would once again be QB Michael Vick . Vick had the 2nd best game of his career with a quarterback rating of 140 . 6 . Vick passed for a season high 291 yards and 3 touchdowns finding Alge Crumpler , Michael Jenkins and Justin Griffith . The Falcons were down early to the Bengals 14 - 6 , but were leading 29 - 20 with 7 minutes remaining . A late touchdown to the Bengals set up a thrilling finish to the match , with Atlanta ' s defence proving too tough for Cincinnati , sacking Bengal ' s QB Carson Palmer to seal the match . Week 9 : at Detroit Lions . " at Ford Field , Detroit , Michigan " < br > Coming off an impressive road performance against the Bengals , the Falcons flew to Ford Field for Week 9 as they took on the Detroit Lions . In the first quarter , Atlanta would trail early , as Lions kicker Jason Hanson would kick a 28 - yard field goal , which would be followed up by a 35 - yard TD run by RB Kevin Jones . The Falcons would score on QB Michael Vick ' s 19 - yard TD pass to TE Alge Crumpler . In the second quarter , Detroit would get Jones scoring a touchdown on a 2 - yard run , while Atlanta had RB Warrick Dunn getting a 1 - yard TD run . In the third quarter , Hanson would get a 19 - yard field goal for the Lions with the only score of the period . In the fourth quarter , the Falcons would fall as QB Jon Kitna completed a 60 - yard TD pass to WR Roy Williams and Hanson would kick a 36 - yard field goal to end the game in favor of Detroit . With the loss , the Falcons fell to 5 - 3 . Week 10 : vs . Cleveland Browns . " at the Georgia Dome , Atlanta , Georgia " < br > It wasn ' t any easier for the Falcons hosting the Browns . Another below . 500 team and favored to win against the Browns and get back on track , the Falcons offense was stifled by the hard fighting defense of the Browns , limiting the Falcons offensive production . After a battle of field position in which the Browns generally won , they decided to go for it on a 4th and 1 inside the 5 yard line of Falcons territory . After getting the touchdown from their running back , the Browns scored again on a slant rout to their receiver once again burning the Falcons secondary . . . going up 14 - 0 . The Falcons could only manage to score a field goal before the half , but not before a wacky play of laterals on the Falcons half failing to find the endzone . But they did manage to get a drive going scoring a touchdown to Michael Jenkins diving in the endzone , it seemed that the Falcons would make a stand . However the Falcons did not get a call for a safety , and on the next drive the Browns scored another field goal . With a chance to go for the winning touchdown on the two minute offense thanks to Roddy White ' s leaping catch , the Falcons threaten deep inside Browns territory . But soon a weary Michael Vick , unable to find open receivers tried to make the play for himself and scrambled , but he held the ball loosely like in the lions game . Without a guy hitting him , he fumbled the ball bouncing twice into his chest , but then popped loose to the Browns ending their chance for a victory . Week 11 : at Baltimore Ravens . " at M & T Bank Stadium , Baltimore , Maryland " < br > The Falcons traveled to M & T Bank Stadium in Baltimore to take on the Ravens only to succumb to the first - place AFC North Ravens . In the start of the game Falcons jumped out a 7 - 0 lead . Michael Vick completed a 12 - yard pass to WR Michael Jenkins for a touchdown , but the Ravens using the kick / punt returns by returner B . J . Sams , to pick up a total impressive 212 yards on six carries to dominate the second half . Michael Vick had six carries also , but could not gain sufficient yards against the sturdy Raven ' s defense . Michael Vick was sacked a total five times . The Falcons managed to get a field goal to make a score of 10 - 17 in second half , but RB Jamal Lewis ran for one more touchdown for 5 yards , which set the score 10 - 24 . RB Jamal Lewis finished with a 91 - yard , 3 - TD performance , ending his 35 - game multi - TD drought . Michael Vick had 6 carries for 54 yards and completed 11 out of 21 passes for 127 yards . Falcons drop to a disappointing record of 5 - 5 and has had their third consecutive loss this season . Week 12 : vs . New Orleans Saints . " at the Georgia Dome , Atlanta , Georgia " < br > Trying to end a three - game skid , the Falcons returned home for an NFC South rematch with the New Orleans Saints . From the get - go , the Falcons trailed as in the first quarter , QB Drew Brees completed a 76 - yard TD pass to WR Devery Henderson , while RB Deuce McAllister got a 1 - yard TD run . Atlanta would respond with kicker Morten Andersen kicking a 22 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , Andersen gave the Falcons a 30 - yard field goal , yet New Orleans continued dominating with Brees completing an incredible 48 - yard TD pass to WR Terrance Copper on the very last offensive play of the half . In the third quarter , RB Warrick Dunn gave Atlanta some room to operate , as he a 1 - yard TD run for the only score of the half . However , in the fourth quarter , the Saints wrapped up the game with kicker John Carney getting a 25 - yard field goal , while McAllister got a 9 - yard TD run . After the game , as QB Michael Vick was leaving the field , he flicked off an insulting fan with both hands . He was fined $ 10 , 000 from the NFL and had to donate another $ 10 , 000 to charity . With their fourth - straight loss , the Falcons fell to 5 - 6 . Week 13 : at Washington Redskins . " at FedExField , Landover , Maryland " < br > The Falcons visited FedExField in Landover , Maryland and defeated the Washington Redskins , ending a four - game losing skid . In the first quarter , the Redskins started strong with two touchdowns on their first two possessions . The first coming off an 8 - yard TD run by RB Ladell Betts , and the second with QB Jason Campbell completing a 42 - yard TD pass to WR Santana Moss . In the second quarter , the Falcons got on the board with a 34 - yard field goal by kicker Morten Andersen and QB Michael Vick ' s 16 - yard TD pass to TE Alge Crumpler . In the third quarter , Atlanta finally gained the lead when Vick connected with WR Michael Jenkins for a 22 - yard TD pass . In the fourth quarter , the Falcons sealed the win with RB Jerious Norwood ' s 69 - yard touchdown run . With the victory , Atlanta improved to 6 - 6 . Week 14 : at Tampa Bay Buccaneers . " at Raymond James Stadium , Tampa , Florida " < br > The Falcons traveled to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa , Florida on December 10 and squared off in an NFC South rematch against their division rival , the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . Their victory completed a season sweep . The first quarter started off with the Falcons punting away on their first possession . The Bucs then came back with a 10 - play drive that resulted in a 42 - yard field goal by kicker Matt Bryant . The second quarter saw Tampa Bay scoring another Bryant FG after a 12 - play drive . In the third quarter , Atlanta scored their first points of the game off a 54 - yard fumble return by OLB Demorrio Williams . The fumble occurred after Tampa QB Bruce Gradkowski lost the ball upon being sacked by Falcons DE John Abraham . Later in the same quarter , the Falcons went on to score another touchdown after a 21 - yard run up the middle by FB Justin Griffith that completed a 9 - play drive . Finally , in the fourth quarter , Atlanta sealed the game victory after picking up a field goal by kicker Morten Andersen that followed another Tampa Bay fumble by RB Carnell " Cadillac " Williams . Atlanta picked up its second win in a row , raising their record to 7 - 6 . Week 15 : vs . Dallas Cowboys . " at the Georgia Dome , Atlanta , Georgia " < br > Coming off their season - sweep in Tampa over the Buccaneers , the Falcons went home for a crucial Saturday night fight with the Dallas Cowboys . In the first quarter , Atlanta trailed early with Cowboys QB Tony Romo completing a 7 - yard TD pass to WR Terrell Owens for the only score of the period . In the second quarter , Dallas ' lead increased with OLB returning an interception 41 yards for a touchdown on the very first play of the period . Fortunately , the Falcons fought back with QB Michael Vick throwing a 1 - yard TD pass to FB Justin Griffith and a 9 - yard TD pass to WR Michael Jenkins . It was after the second touchdown that an NFL record was set . After kicker Morten Andersen ' s extra point , he became the league ' s all - time leading scorer with 2 , 435 points . His total after the game would be 2 , 437 points . After Atlanta ' s second score of the game , the Cowboys jumped back into action , with Romo completing a 51 - yard TD pass to Owens . Fortunately , the Falcons managed to tie the game going into halftime with Vick ' s 8 - yard TD pass to WR Ashley Lelie . In the third quarter , Atlanta took the lead with Vick ' s 5 - yard TD pass to Griffith . However , the joy was short - lived as Dallas took over for the rest of the game with kicker Martin Gramatica ' s 48 - yard field goal and RB Marion Barber ' s 9 - yard TD run . In the fourth quarter , the Cowboys wrapped up the game with Barber ' s 3 - yard TD run . With the loss , the Falcons fell to 7 - 7 . Fortunately , not all was bad . Along with Andersen ' s record - setting night , Vick also managed to set a record for the most single - season rushing yards by a quarterback with 934 yards at game ' s end . Also , the entire Falcons rushing corps broke the single - season rushing record that they set two seasons ago ( which was 2 , 672 ) with a new record of 2 , 697 yards . Week 16 : vs . Carolina Panthers . " at the Georgia Dome , Atlanta , Georgia " < br > Hoping to rebound from their Saturday night loss to the Cowboys and keep any playoff hope alive , the Falcons stayed at home for Christmas Eve as they played an NFC South grudge match with the Carolina Panthers . In the first quarter , Atlanta struck first with kicker Morten Andersen nailing a 40 - yard field goal for the only score of the period . However , in the second quarter , the Panthers took the lead and won with QB Chris Weinke completing a 1 - yard TD pass to TE Jeff King and kicker John Kasay completing a 42 - yard field goal . Afterwards , defense ruled the game and the Falcons ended up on the losing end . QB Michael Vick would end up with a dismal 9 / 20 for 109 yards with No Touchdowns and 2 Interceptions , yet he would become the very first quarterback in NFL history to rush for 1 , 000 yards in a season . The Bad News : Atlanta fell to 7 - 8 and also fell out of the playoff race with the New York Giants Week 17 Sat . night win over the Washington Redskins . The Good News : Carolina also failed to make the playoffs . Week 17 : at Philadelphia Eagles . " at Lincoln Financial Field , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania " < br > Trying to end their season on a positive note , the Falcons flew to Lincoln Financial Field for a Week 17 intraconference fight with the playoff - bound Philadelphia Eagles . In the first quarter , the Eagles drew first blood as kicker David Akers nailed a 41 - yard field goal . Afterwards , Atlanta took the lead with QB Michael Vick completing a 7 - yard TD pass to RB Warrick Dunn . However , Philadelphia flew back into the lead with back - up QB A . J . Feeley completing a 14 - yard TD pass to TE Matt Schobel . In the second quarter , the Falcons tied the game with kicker Morten Andersen nailing a 45 - yard field goal . However , the Eagles responded with Feeley completing a 5 - yard TD pass to WR Jason Avant . After a scoreless third quarter , Atlanta responded in the fourth quarter with back - up QB Matt Schaub completing a 9 - yard TD pass to TE Alge Crumpler . However , Philadelphia wrapped up the game with Feeley completing a 89 - yard touchdown pass to WR Hank Baskett . With the loss , the Falcons ended its season at 7 - 9 . In the aftermath , Jim Mora , Jr . ended up getting fired on New Year ' s Day , ending his three - year tenure as head coach .