1980 NFC West Division Title

Lore & Background

The Falcons were founded on June 30, 1965, after the NFL awarded Atlanta a team to prevent the franchise from joining the rival American Football League. NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle granted ownership to businessman Rankin Smith, and the team began play in the 1966 season as an expansion team. The name 'Falcons' was suggested by high school teacher Julia Elliott through a 1965 contest. Smith remained owner until his death in 1997, with ownership transferring to his son Taylor, who then sold the team to Arthur Blank in 2002. The Falcons have played home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium since 2017, previously at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium (1966–1991) and the Georgia Dome (1992–2016).

In Their Own Story

The air inside Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium hummed with anticipation as the fourth quarter clock wound down. Bartkowski wiped sweat from his brow, scanning the field through his helmet visor. The crowd roared, a sea of black and red, knowing this victory would secure their place in history. He snapped the ball, launched it deep into the end zone, and the stadium erupted—the division was theirs.

Reader's Guide

The Falcons have won two NFC Championships and six division titles: the NFC West twice (1978 and 1998) and the NFC South four times (2004, 2010, 2012, and 2016). They appeared in Super Bowl XXXIII and Super Bowl LI, losing both. The team has 17 winning seasons, 4 tied seasons, and 38 losing seasons.

Did You Know?

• The Falcons did not have consecutive seasons above .500 until 2008 and 2009.
• The team has the seventh-worst playoff win-loss percentage in NFL history (10 wins, 14 losses).
• The Falcons' only division title under head coach Leeman Bennett was in 1980, not multiple titles in the late 70s and early 80s.