2002 Atlanta Falcons season

2002 Atlanta Falcons season
2002 Atlanta Falcons season
Head coach	Dan Reeves
Home field	Georgia Dome
Results
Record	9–6–1
Division place	2nd NFC South
Playoff finish	Won Wild Card Playoffs (at Packers) 27–7; Lost Divisional Playoffs (at Eagles) 6–20
Pro Bowlers	QB Michael Vick; LB Keith Brooking
AP All-Pros	LB Keith Brooking (2nd team)
	← 2001; Falcons seasons; 2003 →;

The 2002 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 37th in the league 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]

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.

After seeing limited action as a rookie, this was Michael Vick's first full season as starting quarterback.

In the Wild Card Game, Vick and the Falcons easily stunned the Brett Favre-led Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, 27–7, giving the Packers their first ever playoff loss in Lambeau. However, a 20–6 loss to Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles in the next round kept the Falcons from advancing in the playoffs.

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.

Offseason[]

Signings	Departures
RB Warrick Dunn (Buccaneers)	QB Chris Chandler (Bears)
DE John Thierry (Packers)	G Bob Hallen (Chargers)
DT Ellis Johnson (Colts)	LB Henri Crockett (Vikings)
LB John Holecek (Chargers)	FS Ronnie Bradford (Vikings)
T Todd Weiner (Seahawks)	WR Terance Mathis (Steelers)
CB Allen Rossum (Packers)	DE Chuck Wiley (Vikings)
CB Kevin Mathis (Saints)
CB Fred Weary (Saints)

NFL Draft[]

Round	Pick	Player	Position	College	Notes
2002 Atlanta Falcons draft
1	16	T. J. Duckett	Running back	Michigan State	from Washington via Oakland
3	80	Will Overstreet	Linebacker	Tennessee
4	116	Martin Bibla	Guard	Miami	from Houston
5	148	Kevin McCadam	Safety	Virginia Tech
5	158	Kurt Kittner	Quarterback	Illinois	from Oakland
6	184	Kahlil Hill	Wide receiver	Iowa
7	217	Michael Coleman	Wide receiver	Widener	from Dallas
7	244	Kevin Shaffer	Offensive tackle	Tulsa
Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Undrafted free agents[]

2002 Undrafted Free Agents of note
Player	Position	College
Matt Allen	Punter	Troy State

Personnel[]

Staff[]

**2002 Atlanta Falcons staff**

	Front office Chairman/President/Chief Executive Officer – Arthur Blank Senior Advisor to the President – Bobby Beathard Vice President of Football Operations – Ron Hill College Scouting Coordinator – Reed Johnson Director of Pro Personnel – Les Snead Assistant to Head Coach/Pro Personnel – Marvin Bass Head coaches Executive Vice President/Head Coach – Dan Reeves Offensive coaches Quarterbacks – Jack Burns Running Backs – Ollie Wilson Wide Receivers – Mike Johnson Tight Ends – James Daniel Offensive Line – Pete Mangurian Assistant Offensive Line – Rennie Simmons Offensive Quality Control – Ed West			Defensive coaches Defensive Coordinator – Wade Phillips Defensive Line – Bill Johnson Linebackers – Billy Davis Secondary – Emmitt Thomas Defensive Quality Control – Dennis Allen Special teams coaches Special Teams – Joe DeCamillis Strength and conditioning Strength and Conditioning – Al Miller Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Rocky Colburn

Roster[]

**2002 Atlanta Falcons final roster**

	Quarterbacks 11 Doug Johnson 15 Kurt Kittner 7 Michael Vick Running backs 44 Bob Christian FB 45 T. J. Duckett 28 Warrick Dunn 38 George Layne FB Wide receivers 82 Darrin Chiaverini 86 Brian Finneran 81 Trevor Gaylor 87 Kahlil Hill 84 Shawn Jefferson Tight ends 83 Alge Crumpler 89 Reggie Kelly 85 Brian Kozlowski		Offensive linemen 64 Martin Bibla G 65 Kynan Forney G 63 Roberto Garza C 73 Dave Kadela T 62 Todd McClure C 76 Kevin Shaffer T 66 Michael Thompson G 74 Todd Weiner T 70 Bob Whitfield T Defensive linemen 98 Travis Hall DE 95 Ed Jasper DT 61 Ellis Johnson DT 97 Patrick Kerney DE 92 Reggie McGrew DT 91 Brady Smith DE 55 John Thierry DE/LB		Linebackers 56 Keith Brooking LB 54 Chris Draft OLB 59 John Holecek OLB 53 Mark Simoneau MLB 93 Sam Rogers OLB 52 Matt Stewart MLB 50 Artie Ulmer OLB Defensive backs 33 Ashley Ambrose CB 21 Juran Bolden CB 34 Ray Buchanan CB 29 Keion Carpenter FS 30 Henry Jones FS 23 Kevin Mathis CB 47 Kevin McCadam SS 20 Allen Rossum CB 22 Gerald McBurrows SS 24 Fred Weary CB Special teams 4 Jay Feely K 13 Chris Mohr P 48 Derek Rackley LS/TE		Reserve lists 16 WR (IR) 36 Travis Jervey FB (IR) 88 Quentin McCord WR (IR) 49 Dallas Neil TE (IR) 90 Will Overstreet OLB (IR) -- DT (IR) Practice squad -- Pat Downey C -- Jimmy Farris WR -- Greg White LB Rookies in italics

Regular season[]

Schedule[]

In addition to their new NFC South rivals, the Falcons played all teams from the NFC North and AFC North. In addition, the Falcons played the New York Giants from the NFC East, and the Seattle Seahawks from the NFC West, based on 2001 standings.

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Attendance
1	September 8	at Green Bay Packers	L 37–34 (OT)	63,127
2	September 15	Chicago Bears	L 14–13	68,081
3	September 22	Cincinnati Bengals	W 30–3	68,129
4	Bye
5	October 6	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	L 20–6	68,936
6	October 13	at New York Giants	W 17–10	78,728
7	October 20	Carolina Panthers	W 30–0	68,056
8	October 27	at New Orleans Saints	W 37–35	67,883
9	November 3	Baltimore Ravens	W 20–17	68,532
10	November 10	at Pittsburgh Steelers	T 34–34 (OT)	62,779
11	November 17	New Orleans Saints	W 24–17	70,382
12	November 24	at Carolina Panthers	W 41–0	72,533
13	December 1	at Minnesota Vikings	W 30–24 (OT)	63,947
14	December 8	at Tampa Bay Buccaneers	L 34–10	65,648
15	December 15	Seattle Seahawks	L 30–24	69,551
16	December 22	Detroit Lions	W 36–15	69,307
17	December 29	at Cleveland Browns	L 24–16	73,528

Game summaries[]

Week 1: at Green Bay Packers[]

Week 1: Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers

	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Falcons	0	21	3	10	0	34
Packers	3	10	14	7	3	37

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Date: September 8, 2002
Game time: 1:00 p.m.
Game weather: Sunny, 83 °F (28 °C)
Game attendance: 63,127
Referee: Ron Winter (14)
TV announcers (Fox): Curt Menefee, Tim Ryan, and Drew Smith
Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter

GB – Ryan Longwell 28-yard field goal, 4:08. Packers 3–0. Drive: 15 plays, 77 yards, 8:45.

Second quarter

ATL – Michael Vick 2-yard run (Jay Feely kick), 11:26. Falcons 7–3. Drive: 12 plays, 79 yards, 7:42.
ATL – Warrick Dunn 3-yard run (Jay Feely kick), 8:43. Falcons 14–3. Drive: 4 plays, 28 yards, 2:31.
GB – David Martin 3-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 5:54. Falcons 14–10. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:49.
ATL – Alge Crumpler 2-yard pass from Michael Vick (Jay Feely kick), 1:15. Falcons 21–10. Drive: 5 plays, 68 yards, 3:01.
GB – Ryan Longwell 42-yard field goal, 0:00. Falcons 21–13. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 1:15.

Third quarter

GB – Rondell Mealey 2-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 12:48. Falcons 21–20. Drive: 4 plays, 59 yards, 2:12.
ATL – Jay Feely 21-yard field goal, 5:24. Falcons 24–20. Drive: 15 plays, 76 yards, 7:24.
GB – Javon Walker 13-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 0:30. Packers 27–24. Drive: 7 plays, 67 yards, 4:54.

Fourth quarter

ATL – Warrick Dunn 2-yard run (Jay Feely kick), 8:07. Falcons 31–27. Drive: 6 plays, 45 yards, 3:36.
GB – William Henderson 1-yard run (Ryan Longwell kick), 1:10. Packers 34–31. Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 6:57.
ATL – Jay Feely 52-yard field goal, 0:05. Tied 34–34. Drive: 6 plays, 35 yards, 1:05.

Overtime

GB – Ryan Longwell 34-yard field goal, 5:15. Packers 37–34. Drive: 7 plays, 44 yards, 4:15.

Top passers

ATL – Michael Vick – 15/23, 209 yards, TD
GB – Brett Favre – 25/36, 284 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

ATL – Michael Vick – 9 rushes, 72 yards, TD
GB – Ahman Green – 27 rushes, 155 yards

Top receivers

ATL – Willie Jackson – 4 receptions, 73 yards
GB – Donald Driver – 7 receptions, 78 yards

Week 2: vs. Chicago Bears[]

Week 2: Chicago Bears at Atlanta Falcons

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bears	0	7	7	0	14
Falcons	0	10	3	0	13

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Date: September 15, 2002
Game time: 1:00 pm
Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
Game attendance: 68,081
Referee: Jeff Triplette (42)
TV: FOX
Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter

No scoring plays.

Second quarter

ATL – Warrick Dunn 10-yard pass from Michael Vick (Jay Feely kick), 11:33. Falcons 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 38 yards, 4:00.
CHI – Anthony Thomas 3-yard run (Paul Edinger kick), 1:10. Tied 7–7. Drive: 10 plays, 86 yards, 5:04.
ATL – Jay Feely 37-yard field goal, 0:00. Falcons 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 55 yards, 1:10.

Third quarter

CHI – David Terrell 14-yard pass from Jim Miller (Paul Edinger kick), 9:27. Bears 14–10. Drive: 3 plays, 16 yards, 0:55.
ATL – Jay Feely 27-yard field goal, 6:08. Bears 14–13. Drive: 7 plays, 14 yards, 3:19.

Fourth quarter

No scoring plays.

Top passers

CHI – Jim Miller – 12/24, 143 yards, TD, INT
ATL – Michael Vick – 17/28, 166 yards, TD

Top rushers

CHI – Anthony Thomas – 26 rushes, 84 yards, TD
ATL – Michael Vick – 10 rushes, 56 yards

Top receivers

CHI – Marty Booker – 5 receptions, 48 yards
ATL – Brian Finneran – 6 receptions, 76 yards

Week 3: vs. Cincinnati Bengals[]

Week 3: Cincinnati Bengals at Atlanta Falcons

	1	2	3	4	Total
Bengals	0	3	0	0	3
Falcons	13	7	7	3	30

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Date: September 22, 2002
Game time: 8:30 pm
Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
Game attendance: 68,129
Referee: Terry McAulay (77)
TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann and Suzy Kolber
Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter

ATL – Jay Feely 44-yard field goal, 10:01. Falcons 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 46 yards, 4:69.
ATL – Jay Feely 26-yard field goal, 7:19. Falcons 6–0. Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 1:48.
ATL – Brian Finneran 20-yard pass from Michael Vick (Jay Feely kick), 1:57. Falcons 13–0. Drive: 7 plays, 55 yards, 3:28.

Second quarter

ATL – Brian Finneran 13-yard pass from Michael Vick (Jay Feely kick), 4:56. Falcons 20–0. Drive: 4 plays, 24 yards, 1:42.
CIN – Neil Rackers 24-yard field goal, 0:03. Falcons 20–3. Drive: 14 plays, 53 yards, 4:53.

Third quarter

ATL – Warrick Dunn 4-yard run (Jay Feely kick), 5:07. Falcons 27–3. Drive: 11 plays, 74 yards, 7:00.

Fourth quarter

ATL – Jay Feely 34-yard field goal, 7:30. Falcons 30–3. Drive: 10 plays, 46 yards, 5:39.

Top passers

CIN – Jon Kitna – 18/35, 136 yards, INT
ATL – Michael Vick – 16/26, 174 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

CIN – Corey Dillon – 18 rushes, 66 yards
ATL – TJ Duckett – 18 rushes, 67 yards

Top receivers

CIN – Peter Warrick – 4 receptions, 34 yards
ATL – Brian Finneran – 6 receptions, 77 yards, 2 TD

Week 13: at Minnesota Vikings[]

Week 13: Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings

	1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Falcons	0	14	7	3	6	30
Vikings	7	7	7	3	0	24

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Date: December 1, 2002
Game time: 12:00 p.m. CDT
Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
Game attendance: 63,947
Referee: Ed Hochuli (85)
TV: FOX
Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter

MIN – Daunte Culpepper 1-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 9:38. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:22.

Second quarter

ATL – Bob Christian 1-yard run (Jay Feely kick), 12:48. Tied 7–7. Drive: 2 plays, 40 yards, 0:21.
MIN – Hunter Goodwin 2-yard pass from Daunte Culpepper (Gary Anderson kick), 2:40. Vikings 14–7. Drive: 7 plays, 36 yards, 3:25.
ATL – Brian Finneran 39-yard pass from Michael Vick (Jay Feely kick), 0:37. Tied 14–14. Drive: 6 plays, 77 yards, 2:03.

Third quarter

MIN – Michael Bennett 1-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 3:19. Vikings 21–14. Drive: 5 plays, 41 yards, 2:40.
ATL – Michael Vick 28-yard run (Jay Feely kick), 1:00. Tied 21–21. Drive: 5 plays, 76 yards, 2:19.

Fourth quarter

ATL – Jay Feely 44-yard field goal, 3:33. Falcons 24–21. Drive: 8 plays, 29 yards, 3:53.
MIN – Gary Anderson 29-yard field goal, 0:11. Tied 24–24. Drive: 10 plays, 55 yards, 3:22.

Overtime

ATL – Michael Vick 46-yard run, 12:35. Falcons 30–24. Drive: 2 plays, 48 yards, 0:51.

Top passers

ATL – Michael Vick – 11/28, 173 yards, TD, INT
MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 23/43, 266 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT

Top rushers

ATL – Michael Vick – 10 rushes, 173 yards, 2 TD
MIN – Michael Bennett – 18 rushes, 86 yards, TD

Top receivers

ATL – Brian Finneran – 5 receptions, 114 yards, TD
MIN – Randy Moss – 9 receptions, 134 yards

Week 16: vs. Detroit Lions[]

Week 16: Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons

	1	2	3	4	Total
Lions	0	0	0	15	15
Falcons	3	10	6	17	36

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Date: December 22, 2002
Game time: 1:00 p.m.
Game weather: none (indoor stadium)
Game attendance: 69,307
Referee: Walt Coleman (65)
TV: FOX
Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter

ATL – Jay Feely 23-yard field goal, 7:50. Falcons 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 85 yards, 5:35.

Second quarter

ATL – Jay Feely 23-yard field goal, 6:06. Falcons 6–0. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:08.
ATL – Quentin McCord 20-yard pass from Michael Vick (Jay Feely kick), 0:17. Falcons 13–0. Drive: 7 plays, 63 yards, 0:59.

Third quarter

ATL – Jay Feely 36-yard field goal, 10:56. Falcons 16–0. Drive: 8 plays, 63 yards, 4:04.
ATL – Jay Feely 20-yard field goal, 7:20. Falcons 19–0. Drive: 5 plays, 20 yards, 2:38.

Fourth quarter

ATL – Jay Feely 39-yard field goal, 13:31. Falcons 22–0. Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 5:25.
DET – James Stewart 1-yard pass from Mike McMahon (Mike McMahon-Bill Schroeder pass), 9:53. Falcons 22–8. Drive: 6 plays, 15 yards, 3:38.
DET – Aveion Cason 15-yard pass from Mike McMahon (Jason Hanson kick), 9:31. Falcons 22–15. Drive: 2 plays, 15 yards, 0:10.
ATL – Warrick Dunn 3-yard run (Jay Feely kick), 3:49. Falcons 29–15. Drive: 10 plays, 88 yards, 5:42.
ATL – Brian Finneran 34-yard pass from Michael Vick (Jay Feely kick), 1:51. Falcons 36–15. Drive: 4 plays, 37 yards, 1:36.

Top passers

DET – Mike McMahon – 11/33, 149 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
ATL – Michael Vick – 20/38, 337 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

DET – James Stewart – 12 rushes, 34 yards
ATL – Warrick Dunn – 30 rushes, 132 yards, TD

Top receivers

DET – Bill Schroeder – 2 receptions, 60 yards
ATL – Quentin McCord – 7 receptions, 182 yards, TD

Playoffs[]

Schedule[]

Week	Date	Opponent	Result	Attendance
Wild Card	January 4, 2003	at Green Bay Packers	W 27–7	65,358
Divisional	January 11, 2003	at Philadelphia Eagles	L 20–6	66,452

Game Summaries[]

NFC Wild Card: at Green Bay Packers[]

NFC Wild Card Game: (6) Atlanta Falcons at (3) Green Bay Packers

	1	2	3	4	Total
Falcons	14	10	3	0	27
Packers	0	0	7	0	7

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Date: January 4, 2003
Game time: 8:00 p.m.
Game weather: Clear, 31 °F (−1 °C)
Game attendance: 65,358
Referee: Bernie Kukar (86)
TV: ABC
Recap, Game Book

Game information

First quarter

ATL – Shawn Jefferson 10-yard pass from Michael Vick (Jay Feely kick), 9:17. Falcons 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 76 yards, 5:43.
ATL – Artie Ulmer 1-yard return of blocked punt (Jay Feely kick), 6:38. Falcons 14–0.

Second quarter

ATL – TJ Duckett 6-yard run (Jay Feely kick), 12:06. Falcons 21–0. Drive: 4 plays, 21 yards, 2:30.
ATL – Jay Feely 22-yard field goal, 0:00. Falcons 24–0. Drive: 16 plays, 90 yards, 6:34.

Third quarter

GB – Donald Driver 14-yard pass from Brett Favre (Ryan Longwell kick), 10:26. Falcons 24–7. Drive: 10 plays, 73 yards, 4:34.
ATL – Jay Feely 23-yard field goal, 3:43. Falcons 27–7. Drive: 12 plays, 73 yards, 6:43.

Fourth quarter

No scoring plays.

Top passers

ATL – Michael Vick – 13/25, 117 yards, TD
GB – Brett Favre – 20/42, 247 yards, TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

ATL – Michael Vick – 10 rushes, 64 yards
GB – Ahman Green – 11 rushes, 34 yards

Top receivers

ATL – Warrick Dunn – 4 receptions, 40 yards
GB – Javon Walker – 5 receptions, 104 yards

Standings[]

NFC South
view talk	W	L	T	PCT	DIV	CONF	PF	PA	STK
⁽²⁾ Tampa Bay Buccaneers	12	4	0	.750	4–2	9–3	346	196	W1
⁽⁶⁾ Atlanta Falcons	9	6	1	.594	4–2	7–5	402	314	L1
New Orleans Saints	9	7	0	.563	3–3	7–5	432	388	L3
Carolina Panthers	7	9	0	.438	1–5	4–8	258	302	W2

References[]

^ Atlanta Falcons 34 at Pittsburgh Steelers 34

[1] Atlanta Falcons 34 at Pittsburgh Steelers 34

[1]

v t Atlanta Falcons
Founded in 1966 Based in Atlanta, Georgia Headquartered in Flowery Branch, Georgia
Franchise	Franchise Team history Seasons Players Quarterbacks Head coaches Expansion draft Draft history First-round draft picks
Stadiums	Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium Georgia Dome Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Culture	Rankin M. Smith Sr. Arthur Blank Freddie Falcon Cheerleaders The "Dirty Bird" (dance) "2 Legit 2 Quit"
Lore	Grits Blitz Gary Anderson's missed field goal Michael Vick dog fighting investigation 28–3
Rivalries	Carolina Panthers New Orleans Saints Philadelphia Eagles
Wild card / First round berths (8)	1978 1982 1991 1995 2002 2008 2011 2017
Division championships (6)	1980 1998 2004 2010 2012 2016
Conference championships (2)	1998 2016
Ring of Honor	10 21 28 31 42 57 58 60 78 84 87
Current league affiliations	League: National Football League Conference: National Football Conference Division: South Division
Category

v t Atlanta Falcons seasons
1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Italics indicates Super Bowl appearance