NFC Championship Game Appearance (2012)

Lore & Background

The Falcons were founded on June 30, 1965, and joined the NFL in 1966 as an expansion team. They have appeared in two Super Bowls: Super Bowl XXXIII (1998 season) and Super Bowl LI (2016 season), losing both. They are the oldest major professional sports team in America with no championships. In the 2012 NFC Championship Game, the Falcons fell to the San Francisco 49ers 28–24 after a fourth-quarter field goal.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the Georgia Dome was thick with anticipation, the crowd roaring as the Falcons held a 28-10 lead. Then, silence fell like a heavy curtain when Matt Ryan's pass hung in the air just long enough for Eric Reid to rise and intercept it. The momentum shifted instantly; the roar turned into a collective gasp, then a groan as San Francisco marched downfield. In overtime, under the bright lights that had promised glory only hours before, the Falcons defense held firm until the final kick sailed through the uprights, leaving Atlanta with nothing but memories of what could have been.

Reader's Guide

The Falcons' current home field is Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which opened for the 2017 season. Their headquarters and practice facilities are located in Flowery Branch, Georgia.

Did You Know?

• The Falcons have won division championships in 1980, 1998, 2004, 2010, 2012, and 2016.
• The Falcons' first Super Bowl appearance was a 34–19 loss to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII.
• The Falcons' second Super Bowl appearance was a 34–28 overtime loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI.
• The Falcons' all-time regular season record is 398–512–6, with a playoff record of 10–14.