2007 Atlanta Falcons season The 2007 Atlanta Falcons season was the 42nd season for the team in the National Football League . They finished the 2007 season with a disappointing record of 4 – 12 and failed to improve upon their 7 – 9 record in 2006 after finishing third place in the NFC South . The team attempted to overcome the controversy surrounding starting quarterback Michael Vick and his involvement in an illegal dog fighting ring . Bobby Petrino was hired to help develop Vick into a more complete quarterback , but with Vick ' s absence , journeyman quarterbacks Joey Harrington and Byron Leftwich were used to patch - in holes . Petrino ' s game plan didn ' t fit , both on the field and in the locker room , with veteran players Alge Crumpler and DeAngelo Hall voicing their displeasure . Petrino later resigned just 13 games into the season to coach the Arkansas Razorbacks . Petrino resigned the day after Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison and also a day after Petrino coached the Falcons in a 41 – 14 loss to the New Orleans Saints on " Monday Night Football " . Offseason . Head coach change . Head coach Bobby Petrino spent less than a year with the Atlanta Falcons . He was hired on January 7 , 2007 after the Falcons fired Jim Mora , Jr . , who was fired on New Year ' s Day . On December 11 , 2007 , Petrino announced his resignation just 13 games into his first year . Departures . On March 2 , the Falcons released linebackers Edgerton Hartwell and Ike Reese . < br > On March 5 , the Falcons released guard Matt Lehr and long - snapper Gavin Tarquinio . < br > On March 6 , wide receiver Ashley Lelie signed a contract with the San Francisco 49ers . < br > On March 7 , defensive end Patrick Kerney signed a contract with the Seattle Seahawks . < br > On March 9 , fullback Justin Griffith signed a contract with the Oakland Raiders . Signings . On March 2 , the Falcons signed fullback Ovie Mughelli , formerly with the Baltimore Ravens , to a contract . < br > On March 3 , the Falcons signed linebacker Marcus Wilkins , formerly with the Cincinnati Bengals , to a contract . < br > On March 7 , the Falcons signed cornerback Lewis Sanders , formerly with the Houston Texans , to a contract . < br > On March 8 , the Falcons signed wide receiver Joe Horn , formerly with the New Orleans Saints , to a contract . < br > On March 15 , the Falcons signed guard Toniu Fonoti , formerly with the Miami Dolphins , to a contract . < br > On March 15 , the Falcons signed wide receiver Derrick Hamilton , formerly with the San Francisco 49ers , to a contract . < br > On March 22 , the Falcons signed kicker Aaron Elling , formerly with the Baltimore Ravens , to a contract . < br > On March 23 , the Falcons signed quarterback Chris Redman to a contract . < br > On April 9 , the Falcons signed quarterback Joey Harrington , formerly with the Miami Dolphins , to a contract . < br > On May 4 , the Falcons signed kicker Billy Cundiff to a contract . < br > On May 9 , the Falcons signed tackle Leander Jordan , formerly with the San Diego Chargers , to a contract . Regular season week - by - week results . Week 1 : at Minnesota Vikings . Game summary . Hoping to put a troublesome offseason behind them , the Falcons began their 2007 campaign on the road against the Minnesota Vikings . In the first quarter , Atlanta immediately trailed as Vikings DT Kevin Williams returned an interception 54 yards for a touchdown , which would be the only score of the half . In the third quarter , Minnesota increased its lead with kicker Ryan Longwell getting a 49 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , the Falcons got their only score of the game , with kicker Matt Prater getting a 45 - yard field goal . From there , the Vikings put the game away with QB Tarvaris Jackson completing a 60 - yard TD pass to RB Adrian Peterson , along with CB Antoine Winfield returning an interception 14 - yards for a touchdown . QB Joey Harrington , in his Falcons debut , completed 23 out of 32 passes for 199 yards with no touchdowns and 2 interceptions . With the loss , Atlanta began its season at 0 - 1 . Scoring summary . Q1 - MIN - 7 : 56 - Kevin Williams 54 yard interception return TD ( Ryan Longwell kick ) ( MIN 7 - 0 ) Q3 - MIN - 1 : 51 - Ryan Longwell 49 yard FG ( MIN 10 - 0 ) Q4 - ATL - 9 : 28 - Matt Prater 45 yard FG ( MIN 10 - 3 ) Q4 - MIN - 7 : 31 - 60 yard TD pass from Tarvaris Jackson to Adrian Peterson ( Longwell kick ) ( MIN 17 - 3 ) Q4 - MIN - 2 : 48 - Antoine Winfield 14 yard interception return TD ( Longwell kick ) ( MIN 24 - 3 ) Week 2 : at Jacksonville Jaguars . Game summary . Trying to rebound from their road loss to the Vikings , the Falcons went to Jacksonville Municipal Stadium for a Week 2 interconference fight with the Jacksonville Jaguars . After a scoreless first quarter , Atlanta trailed early as Jaguars kicker John Carney got a 35 - yard field goal . Afterwards , the Falcons would get their only score of the game as RB Warrick Dunn got a 4 - yard TD run . After a scoreless third quarter , Jacksonville would seal the win with QB David Garrard ' s 14 - yard TD pass to WR Reggie Williams and Carney ' s 27 - yard field goal . With the loss , the Falcons would fall to 0 - 2 . Scoring summary . Q2 - JAC - 13 : 30 - John Carney 35 yard FG ( JAC 3 - 0 ) Q2 - ATL - 1 : 51 - Warrick Dunn 4 yard TD run ( Matt Prater kick ) ( ATL 7 - 3 ) Q4 - JAC - 14 : 10 - 45 yard TD pass from David Garrard to Reggie Williams ( Carney kick ) ( JAC 10 - 7 ) Q4 - JAC - 3 : 39 - Carney 27 yard FG ( JAC 13 - 7 ) Week 3 : vs . Carolina Panthers . Game summary . Trying to avoid their first 0 - 3 start since 1999 , the Falcons played their Week 3 homeopener against their divisional rival , the Carolina Panthers . After a scoreless first quarter , Atlanta trailed early as Panthers kicker John Kasay got a 45 - yard field goal . Afterwards , the Falcons took the lead with QB Joey Harrington completing a 69 - yard TD pass to WR Roddy White . However , Carolina retook the lead with QB Jake Delhomme completing a 13 - yard TD pass to RB DeShaun Foster . Atlanta would tie the game prior to halftime with kicker Morten Andersen getting a 24 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Falcons regained the lead with Harrington completing a 13 - yard TD pass to TE Alge Crumpler , yet the Panthers regained the lead with Delhomme completing a 5 - yard TD pass to TE Jeff King , along with Foster ' s 10 - yard TD run . In the fourth quarter , Carolina ended its scoring with Kasay kicking a 49 - yard field goal . Atlanta tried to mount a comeback , yet the only score was Andersen ' s 25 - yard field goal . With the loss , the Falcons fell to 0 - 3 . Scoring summary . Q2 - CAR - 10 : 53 - John Kasay 45 yard FG ( CAR 3 - 0 ) Q2 - ATL - 9 : 19 - 69 yard TD pass from Joey Harrington to Roddy White ( Andersen kick ) ( ATL 7 - 3 ) Q2 - CAR - 4 : 32 - 13 yard TD pass from Jake Delhomme to DeShaun Foster ( Kasay kick ) ( CAR 10 - 7 ) Q2 - ATL - 0 : 11 - Morten Andersen 24 yard FG ( 10 - 10 ) Q3 - ATL - 9 : 09 - 13 yd TD pass from Joey Harrington to Alge Crumpler ( Andersen kick ) ( ATL 17 - 10 ) Q3 - CAR - 7 : 13 - 5 yd TD pass from Jake Delhomme to Jeff King ( Kasay kick ) ( 17 - 17 ) Q3 - CAR - 0 : 47 - DeShaun Foster 10 yard TD run ( Kasay kick ) ( CAR 24 - 17 ) Q4 - CAR - 7 : 36 - John Kasay 49 yard FG ( CAR 27 - 17 ) Q4 - ATL - 3 : 03 - Morten Andersen 25 yard FG ( CAR 27 - 20 ) Week 4 : vs . Houston Texans . Game Summary . Still searching for their first win of the year , the Falcons stayed at home for an interconference duel with the Houston Texans , featuring a former teammate in QB Matt Schaub . In the first quarter , Atlanta delivered the first punch with kicker Morten Andersen getting a 28 - yard field goal . However , the Texans took the lead with Schaub completing a 35 - yard TD pass to WR André Davis . Fortunately , the Falcons would regain the lead with QB Joey Harrington completing a 5 - yard TD pass to WR Michael Jenkins . In the second quarter , Harrington and Jenkins would hook up with each other again on a 7 - yard TD pass . Also , Andersen contributed to Atlanta ' s cause by kicking a 22 - yard field goal . Houston would end the half with kicker Kris Brown getting a 42 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Texans drew close with Brown kicking a 37 - yard field goal . Fortunately , the Falcons responded with Andersen getting a 36 - yard field goal . In the fourth quarter , Houston tried to retaliate with Brown kicking a 19 - yard field goal . Again , Atlanta answered with Andersen nailing a 46 - yard field goal . Afterwards , the Falcons managed to hold on to give head coach Bobby Petrino his first NFL victory . With the win , the Falcons snap a six - game losing skid and improve to 1 - 3 . Scoring Summary . Q1 - ATL - 8 : 14 - Morten Andersen 28 yard FG ( ATL 3 - 0 ) Q1 - HOU - 5 : 34 - 35 yard TD pass from Matt Schaub to André Davis ( Brown kick ) ( HOU 7 - 3 ) Q1 - ATL - 1 : 13 - 5 yard TD pass from Joey Harrington to Michael Jenkins ( Andersen kick ) ( ATL 10 - 7 ) Q2 - ATL - 8 : 22 - 7 yard TD pass from Joey Harrington to Michael Jenkins ( Andersen kick ) ( ATL 17 - 7 ) Q2 - ATL - 1 : 52 - Morten Andersen 22 yard FG ( ATL 20 - 7 ) Q2 - HOU - 0 : 05 - Kris Brown 42 - yard FG ( ATL 20 - 10 ) Q3 - HOU - 10 : 13 - Kris Brown 37 yard FG ( ATL 20 - 13 ) Q3 - ATL - 4 : 00 - Morten Andersen 36 yard FG ( ATL 23 - 13 ) Q4 - HOU - 14 : 52 - Kris Brown 19 yard FG ( ATL 23 - 16 ) Q4 - ATL - 8 : 16 - Morten Andersen 46 yard FG ( ' | stadium = L 26 - 16 ) Week 5 : at Tennessee Titans . Game summary . Coming off their home win over the Texans , the Falcons flew to LP Field for a Week 5 interconference duel with the Tennessee Titans . In the first quarter , Atlanta got off to a fast start as CB DeAngelo Hall returned a LenDale White fumble 56 yards for a touchdown . The Titans tied the game with RB Chris Brown getting a 3 - yard TD run . In the second quarter , the Falcons flew back into the lead with kicker Morten Andersen getting a 32 - yard field goal . Tennessee ended the half with kicker Rob Bironas getting a 30 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , Atlanta got their lead back with Andersen kicking a 28 - yard field goal . However , the Titans took the lead with Bironas nailing a 40 - yard field goal , along with DB [ Vincent Fuller intercepting QB Joey Harrington and returning it 76 yards for a touchdown . In the fourth quarter , with Harrington being ineffective ( 16 / 31 for 87 yards and 1 interception ) , back - up QB Byron Leftwich came to try to lead the Falcons to victory . Near the end of the game , Atlanta came close ( at Tennessee ' s 1 - yard line ) . On four - straight plays , they were held out of the end zone . With the loss , not only did the Falcons fall to 1 – 4 , but it also marked their fifth straight loss to the Titans . Scoring summary . Q1 - ATL - 10 : 00 - DeAngelo Hall 56 - yard TD fumble return ( Andersen kick ) ( ATL 7 - 0 ) Q1 - TEN - 6 : 15 - Chris Brown ( Bironas kick ) ( 7 - 7 ) Q2 - ATL - 11 : 15 - Morten Andersen 32 - yard FG ( ATL 10 - 7 ) Q2 - TEN - 0 : 00 - Rob Bironas 30 - yard FG ( 10 - 10 ) Q3 - ATL - 10 : 08 - Morten Andersen 28 - yard FG ( ATL 13 - 10 ) Q3 - TEN - 6 : 56 - Rob Bironas 40 - yard FG ( 13 - 13 ) Q3 – TEN – 1 : 00 – Vincent Fuller 76 - yard TD interception return ( Bironas kick ) ( TEN 20 – 13 ) Week 6 : vs New York Giants . Game Summary . Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Titans , the Falcons came home for Monday Night Football has they hosted the New York Giants . In the first quarter , Atlanta took flight early as kicker Morten Andersen got a 47 - yard field goal . However , the Giants responded with QB Eli Manning completing a 5 - yard TD pass to WR Amani Toomer . The Falcons answered with RB Jerious Norwood getting a 67 - yard TD run . Afterwards , New York replied with RB Reuben Droughns getting a 1 - yard TD run . In the second quarter , Atlanta ' s struggles continued as Manning completed a 43 - yard TD pass to WR Plaxico Burress to increase the Giants ' lead . After a scoreless third quarter , New York sealed the win with kicker Lawrence Tynes nailing a 32 - yard field goal , while RB Derrick Ward got a 9 - yard TD run . With their second - straight loss , the Falcons fell to 1 - 5 . Scoring Summary . Q1 - ATL - 11 : 47 - Morten Andersen 47 yard FG ( ATL 3 - 0 ) Q1 - NYG - 5 : 32 - Amani Toomer 5 yd TD pass from Eli Manning ( Tynes kick ) ( NYG 7 - 3 ) Q1 - ATL - 5 : 14 - Jerious Norwood 67 yard TD run ( Andersen kick ) ( ATL 10 - 7 ) Q1 - NYG - 2 : 13 - Reuben Droughns 1 yard TD run ( NYG 14 - 10 ) Q2 - NYG - 8 : 21 - Plaxico Burress 43 yard TD pass from Manning ( NYG 21 - 10 ) Q4 - NYG - 10 : 52 - Lawrence Tynes 32 yard FG ( NYG 24 - 10 ) Q4 - NYG - 3 : 08 - Derrick Ward 9 yard TD run ( Tynes kick ) ( NYG 31 - 10 ) Week 7 : at New Orleans Saints . Game Summary . Trying to snap a two - game skid , the Falcons flew to the Louisiana Superdome for a Week 7 divisional duel with the New Orleans Saints . Due to QB Joey Harrington ' s ineffectiveness from last week ' s loss to the Giants , QB Byron Leftwich was given the start . In the first quarter , Atlanta trailed early as Saints QB Drew Brees completed a 37 - yard TD pass to WR Devery Henderson . The Falcons would respond with former Saints kicker Morten Andersen 38 - yard field goal . In the second quarter , Atlanta began to play well as Andersen got a 33 - yard field goal , while Leftwich completed a 9 - yard TD pass to WR Roddy White . In the third quarter , New Orleans retook the lead with RB Pierre Thomas getting a 24 - yard TD run . Even worse , on the Falcons next possession , Leftwich ' s left leg got injured during a sack by Saints DE Will Smith . Harrington would take over for the rest of the game . In the fourth quarter , Andersen gave Atlanta a 21 - yard field goal . Unfortunately , the Saints sealed the win with Brees hooking up with RB Reggie Bush on a 4 - yard TD pass , along with Bush getting a 2 - point conversion run . With their third - straight loss , the Falcons entered their bye week at 1 - 6 . Scoring Summary . Q1 - NO - 7 : 16 - Devery Henderson 37 yard TD pass from Drew Brees ( Mare kick ) ( NO 7 - 0 ) Q1 - ATL - 6 : 15 - Morten Andersen 38 yard FG ( NO 7 - 3 ) Q2 - ATL - 10 : 21 - Morten Andersen 33 yard FG ( NO 7 - 6 ) Q2 - ATL - 3 : 31 - Roddy White 9 yard TD pass from Byron Leftwich ( Andersen kick ) ( ATL 13 - 7 ) Q3 - NO - 10 : 15 - Pierre Thomas 24 yard TD run ( Mare kick ) ( NO 14 - 13 ) Q4 - ATL - 10 : 19 - Morten Andersen 21 yard FG ( ATL 16 - 14 ) Q4 - NO - 5 : 04 - Reggie Bush 4 yard TD pass from Brees ( Bush run ) ( NO 22 - 16 ) Week 9 : vs . San Francisco 49ers . Game summary . Trying to snap a three - game skid , the Falcons went home and played a Week 9 interconference duel with the San Francisco 49ers . In the first quarter , Atlanta trailed early as 49ers RB Maurice Hicks managed to get a 9 - yard TD run . Fortunately , the Falcons responded with RB Warrick Dunn getting a 9 - yard TD run . In the second quarter , Atlanta increased its lead with RB Ovie Mughelli getting a 1 - yard TD run for the only score of the period . In the third quarter , San Francisco crept close as kicker Joe Nedney got a 49 - yard and a 32 - yard field goal . Fortunately , in the fourth quarter , the Falcons answered with kicker Morten Andersen getting a 33 - yard field goal . The 49ers would respond with Nedney kicking a 22 - yard field goal , yet Atlanta managed to get the win with Andersen nailing a 27 - yard field goal . With the win , the Falcons improved to 2 - 6 . The struggling Falcons rushing attack had its best performance ( to date ) with 155 total rushing yards . Scoring Summary . Q1 - SF - 9 : 10 - Maurice Hicks 37 yard TD run ( Joe Nedney kick ) ( SF 7 - 0 ) Q1 - ATL - 4 : 49 - Warrick Dunn 9 yard TD run ( Morten Andersen kick ) ( 7 - 7 ) Q2 - ATL - 3 : 48 - Ovie Mughelli 1 yard TD run ( ATL 14 - 7 ) Q3 - SF - 12 : 08 - Joe Nedney 49 yard FG ( ATL 14 - 10 ) Q3 - SF - 7 : 54 - Joe Nedney 32 yard FG ( ATL 14 - 13 ) Q4 - ATL - 10 : 19 - Morten Andersen 33 yard FG ( ATL 17 - 13 ) Q4 - NO - 7 : 56 - Joe Nedney 22 yard FG ( ATL 17 - 16 ) Q4 - ATL - 1 : 10 - Morten Andersen 27 yard FG ( ' | stadium = L 20 - 16 ) Week 10 : at Carolina Panthers . Game Summary . Coming off their home win over the 49ers , the Falcons flew to Bank of America Stadium for an NFC South rematch with the Carolina Panthers . In the first quarter , Atlanta took flight as RB Warrick Dunn got a 30 - yard TD run for the only score of the period . In the second quarter , the Panthers took the lead as CB Ken Lucas returned a fumble 27 yards for a touchdown , while kicker John Kasay managed to get a 29 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , the Falcons tied the game with kicker Morten Andersen getting a 36 - yard field goal for the only score of the period . In the fourth quarter , Atlanta took the lead with Andersen kicking a 47 - yard field goal . Carolina tied the game with Kasay nailing a 31 - yard field goal . Fortunately , the Falcons got the win with QB Joey Harrington completing a 30 - yard TD pass to TE Alge Crumpler . With the win , Atlanta improved to 3 - 6 . Scoring Summary . Q1 - ATL - 8 : 43 - Warrick Dunn 30 yard TD run ( Morten Andersen kick ) ( 7 - 0 ATL ) Q2 - CAR - 4 : 20 - Ken Lucas 27 yard TD fumble return ( John Kasay kick ) ( 7 - 7 ) Q2 - CAR - 0 : 00 - John Kasay 29 yard FG ( CAR 10 - 7 ) Q3 - ATL - 3 : 24 - Morten Andersen 36 yard FG ( 10 - 10 ) Q4 - ATL - 11 : 35 - Morten Andersen 47 yard FG ( ATL 13 - 10 ) Q4 - CAR - 7 : 56 - John Kasay 31 yard FG ( 13 - 13 ) Q4 - ATL - 0 : 20 - Alge Crumpler 30 yard TD pass from Joey Harrington ( ' | stadium = L 20 - 13 ) Week 11 : vs . Tampa Bay Buccaneers . Game Summary . Coming off their divisional road win over the Panthers , the Falcons went home a Week 11 divisional duel with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . Despite QB Joey Harrington giving Atlanta two - straight wins , QB Byron Leftwich was given the start . In the first quarter , the Falcons trailed early as Buccaneers QB Jeff Garcia completed a 44 - yard TD pass to WR Joey Galloway for the only score of the period . In the second quarter , Atlanta continued to trail as Tampa Bay CB Ronde Barber returned a fumble 41 yards for a touchdown . In the third quarter , the Buccaneers continued their beatdown with kicker Matt Bryant nailing a 23 - yard field goal , while Garcia completed a 21 - yard TD pass to TE Alex Smith . In the fourth quarter , Tampa Bay sealed the win with RB Earnest Graham getting a 26 - yard TD run . The Falcons would avoid the shutout as Harrington came onto the field as completed a 7 - yard TD pass to WR Adam Jennings . With the loss , Atlanta fell to 3 - 7 . Scoring Summary . Q1 - TB - 7 : 43 - Joey Galloway 44 yard TD pass from Jeff Garcia ( Matt Bryant kick ) ( 7 - 0 TB ) Q2 - TB - 10 : 42 - Ronde Barber 41 yard TD fumble return ( Bryant kick ) ( TB 14 - 0 ) Q3 - TB - 6 : 35 - Matt Bryant 23 yard FG ( TB 17 - 0 ) Q3 - TB - 4 : 51 - Alex Smith 21 yard TD pass from Jeff Garcia ( Bryant kick ) ( TB 24 - 0 ) Q4 - TB - 14 : 53 - Earnest Graham 26 yard TD run ( Bryant kick ) ( TB 31 - 0 ) Q4 - ATL - 1 : 10 - Adam Jennings 7 yard TD pass from Joey Harrington ( Morten Andersen kick ) ( TB 31 - 7 ) Week 12 : vs . Indianapolis Colts . Game Summary . Hoping to rebound from their divisional loss to the Buccaneers , the Falcons stayed at home and played a Week 12 Thanksgiving interconference duel with the defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts . In the first quarter , Atlanta took flight early as they ended a 19 - play , 63 - yard drive with kicker Morten Andersen getting a 34 - yard field goal . Later , the Falcons increased their lead with QB Joey Harrington completing a 48 - yard TD pass to WR Roddy White . In the second quarter , the Colts got on the board with QB Peyton Manning completing a 23 - yard TD pass to WR Reggie Wayne . Atlanta would respond with Andersen kicking a 30 - yard field goal , but Indianapolis started to gain steam as Manning found TE Dallas Clark on an 8 - yard TD pass and TE Ben Utecht on a 5 - yard TD pass . In the third quarter , the Colts managed to put the away as RB Joseph Addai got a 4 - yard TD run , while kicker Adam Vinatieri nailed a 24 - yard field goal . With the loss , the Falcons fell to 3 - 8 . Despite the loss , RB Warrick Dunn ( 17 carries for 70 yards ) became the 22nd player in NFL history to get 10 , 000 career rushing yards . He even became the third RB under 5 feet , 9 inches to reach 10 , 000 yards rushing . Scoring Summary . Q1 - ATL - 6 : 59 - Morten Andersen 34 yard FG ( ATL 3 - 0 ) Q1 - ATL - 3 : 44 - Roddy White 48 yard TD pass from Joey Harrington ( Andersen kick ) ( ATL 10 - 0 ) Q2 - IND - 14 : 42 - Reggie Wayne 23 yard TD pass from Peyton Manning ( Vinatieri kick ) ( ATL 10 - 7 ) Q2 - ATL - 11 : 35 - Morten Andersen 30 yard FG ( ATL 13 - 7 ) Q2 - IND - 6 : 45 - Dallas Clark 8 yard TD pass from Peyton Manning ( Vinatieri kick ) ( IND 14 - 13 ) Q2 - IND - 2 : 38 - Ben Utecht 5 yard TD pass from Peyton Manning ( Vinatieri kick ) ( IND 21 - 13 ) Q3 - IND - 5 : 05 - Joseph Addai 4 yard TD pass run ( Vinatieri kick ) ( IND 28 - 13 ) Q3 - IND - 0 : 32 - Adam Vinatieri 24 yard FG ( IND 31 - 13 ) Week 13 : at St . Louis Rams . Game Summary . Trying to snap a two - game losing skid , the Falcons flew to the Edward Jones Dome for a Week 13 intraconference duel with the St . Louis Rams . In the first quarter , Atlanta trailed early as Rams QB Gus Frerotte completed a 1 - yard TD pass to TE Randy McMichael , along with a 31 - yard TD pass to WR Torry Holt . In the second quarter , St . Louis increased its lead with Frerotte completing an 8 - yard TD pass to WR Isaac Bruce for the only score of the period . In the third quarter , the Falcons would finally manage to get on the board as kicker Morten Andersen kicked a 41 - yard field goal for the only score of the period . In the fourth quarter , Atlanta tried to comeback as QB Chris Redman completed a 15 - yard TD pass to WR Roddy White , along with a 5 - yard TD pass to WR Michael Jenkins . However , the Rams sealed the win with RB Steven Jackson scoring on a 50 - yard TD run . With their third - straight loss , the Falcons fell to 3 - 9 . Scoring Summary . Q1 - STL - 9 : 40 - Randy McMichael 1 yard TD pass from Gus Frerotte ( Jeff Wilkins kick ) ( STL 7 - 0 ) Q1 - STL - 3 : 38 - Torry Holt 31 yard TD pass from Gus Frerotte ( Wilkins kick ) ( STL 14 - 0 ) Q2 - STL - 1 : 55 - Isaac Bruce 8 yard TD pass from Gus Frerotte ( Wilkins kick ) ( STL 21 - 0 ) Q3 - ATL - 8 : 24 - Morten Andersen 41 yard FG ( STL 21 - 3 ) Q4 - ATL - 11 : 48 - Roddy White 15 yard TD pass from Chris Redman ( Redman pass failed ) ( STL 21 - 9 ) Q4 - ATL - 7 : 17 - Michael Jenkins 5 yard TD pass from Chris Redman ( Andersen kick ) ( STL 21 - 16 ) Q4 - STL - 1 : 17 - Steven Jackson 50 yard TD pass run ( Wilkins kick ) ( STL 28 - 17 ) Week 14 vs . New Orleans Saints . Game Summary . Trying to snap a three - game slide , the Falcons went home for a Week 14 Monday Night NFC South rematch with the New Orleans Saints . Making his first start at QB since 2002 was Chris Redman . In the first quarter , Atlanta trailed early as Saints QB Drew Brees completed a 25 - yard TD pass to WR David Patten . The Falcons would answer with Redman completing a 33 - yard TD pass to WR Roddy White . In the second quarter , New Orleans began to pull away as kicker Olindo Mare managed to get a 23 - yard field goal , while Brees completed a 15 - yard TD pass to WR Marques Colston . In the third quarter , the Saints pulled away as Brees and Colston hooked up with each other again on a 2 - yard TD pass , while Safety Roman Harper returned an interception 31 yards for a touchdown . In the fourth quarter , Atlanta would managed to get one last touchdown and Redman completed a 13 - yard TD pass to WR Michael Jenkins . New Orleans would seal the win with Mare nailing a 36 - yard field goal . With their fourth - straight loss , the Falcons fell to 3 - 10 . Following the game , it was announced that Head Coach Bobby Petrino had resigned from the Falcons . Afterwards , on Wednesday , December 12 , it was announced that Defensive Backs coach Emmitt Thomas would be Atlanta ' s interim head coach for the rest of the season . Scoring Summary . Q1 - NO - 3 : 18 - David Patten 25 yard TD pass from Drew Brees ( Olindo Mare kick ) ( NO 7 - 0 ) Q1 - ATL - 1 : 22 - Roddy White 33 yard TD pass from Chris Redman ( Morten Andersen kick ) ( 7 - 7 ) Q2 - NO - 10 : 41 - Olindo Mare 23 yard FG ( NO 10 - 7 ) Q2 - NO - 1 : 06 - Marques Colston 15 yard TD pass from Drew Brees ( Mare kick ) ( NO 17 - 7 ) Q3 - NO - 9 : 13 - Marques Colston 2 yard TD pass from Drew Brees ( Mare kick ) ( NO 24 - 7 ) Q3 - NO - 8 : 30 - Roman Harper 31 yard TD interception return ( Mare kick ) ( NO 31 - 7 ) Q4 - ATL - 8 : 52 - Michael Jenkins 13 yard TD pass from Chris Redman ( Andersen kick ) ( NO 31 - 14 ) Q4 - NO - 2 : 48 - Olindo Mare 36 yard FG ( NO 34 - 14 ) Week 15 : at Tampa Bay Buccaneers . Game summary . Trying to snap a four - game skid , the Falcons flew to Raymond James Stadium for a Week 15 NFC South rematch with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . In the first quarter , Atlanta trailed early as Buccaneers CB Ronde Barber returned an interception 29 yards for a touchdown . The Falcons woud respond with kicker Morten Andersen getting a 33 - yard field goal for their only score of the game . However , Tampa Bay immediately responded with WR Micheal Spurlock returning a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown ( the Buccaneers ' first kickoff return for a touchdown in franchise history ) . In the second quarter , the Falcons ' year - long struggles continued as kicker Matt Bryant getting a 33 - yard field goal , RB Earnest Graham getting a 1 - yard TD run , and Bryant kicking a 28 - yard field goal . In the third quarter , Atlanta ' s turmoil continued with Bryant nailing a 34 - yard field goal for the only score of the period . In the fourth quarter , Tampa Bay sealed the win with QB Jeff Garcia completing a 1 - yard TD pass to TE Anthony Becht . With their fifth - straight loss , the Falcons fell to 3 - 11 . Scoring summary . Q1 - TB - 14 : 00 - Ronde Barber , 29 yd interception return ( Matt Bryant kick ) ( TB 7 - 0 ) Q1 - ATL - 6 : 32 - Morten Andersen , 33 yd field goal ( TB 7 - 3 ) Q1 - TB - 6 : 19 - Micheal Spurlock , 90 yd kick return ( Matt Bryant kick ) ( TB 14 - 3 ) Q2 - TB - 11 : 24 - Matt Bryant , 33 yd field goal 11 : 24 ( TB 17 - 3 ) Q2 - TB - 4 : 09 - Earnest Graham , 1 yd run ( Matt Bryant kick ) ( TB 24 - 3 ) Q2 - TB - 0 : 00 - Matt Bryant , 28 yd field goal ( TB 27 - 3 ) Q3 - TB - 4 : 08 - Matt Bryant , 34 yd field goal ( TB 30 - 3 ) Q4 - TB - 7 : 42 - Anthony Becht , 1 yd pass from Jeff Garcia ( Matt Bryant kick ) ( TB 37 - 3 )