View source for 2002 Atlanta Falcons season

{{short description|NFL team season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL team season
| team = Atlanta Falcons
| year = 2002
| record = 9–6–1
| division_place = 2nd [[NFC South]]
| coach = [[Dan Reeves]]
| stadium = [[Georgia Dome]]
| playoffs = '''Won [[2002–03 NFL playoffs|Wild Card Playoffs]]'''<br>(at [[2002 Green Bay Packers season|Packers]]) 27–7<br>Lost [[2002–03 NFL playoffs|Divisional Playoffs]]<br>(at [[2002 Philadelphia Eagles season|Eagles]]) 6–20
| pro_bowlers = QB [[Michael Vick]]<br>LB [[Keith Brooking]]
| AP All-pros = LB Keith Brooking ''<small>(2nd team)</small>''
| shortnavlink = Falcons seasons
| uniform = 
}}

The [[2002 NFL season|2002 season]] was the [[Atlanta Falcons]]' 37th in the [[National Football League]] (NFL) 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 [[2001 Atlanta Falcons season|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 [[2002 Pittsburgh Steelers season|the Pittsburgh Steelers]] 34–34 at the end of overtime.<ref>[https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200211100pit.htm Atlanta Falcons 34 at Pittsburgh Steelers 34]</ref> This was the last time the Atlanta Falcons ended a season with a tie.

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. With the boost of Dunn, the Falcons rushed for 2,368 yards (148 yards per game) and 23 touchdowns, both the fourth-best in the NFL.

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 defeated the [[Brett Favre]]-led [[2002 Green Bay Packers season|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 [[2002 Philadelphia Eagles season|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. It was the final season the Falcons used their traditional black falcon helmet logo.

The last remaining active member of the 2002 Atlanta Falcons was quarterback [[Michael Vick]], who played his final NFL game in the [[2015 NFL season|2015 season]], although he missed the [[2007 NFL season|2007]] and [[2008 NFL season|2008 seasons]].

==Offseason==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2002|border=2}}"| Signings
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2002|border=2}}"| Departures
|-
| RB [[Warrick Dunn]] ([[2001 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Buccaneers]]) || QB [[Chris Chandler (American football)|Chris Chandler]] ([[2002 Chicago Bears season|Bears]])
|-
| DE [[John Thierry]] ([[2001 Green Bay Packers season|Packers]]) || G [[Bob Hallen]] ([[2002 San Diego Chargers season|Chargers]])
|-
| DT [[Ellis Johnson (defensive lineman)|Ellis Johnson]] ([[2001 Indianapolis Colts season|Colts]]) || LB [[Henri Crockett]] ([[2002 Minnesota Vikings season|Vikings]])
|-
| LB [[John Holecek]] ([[2001 San Diego Chargers season|Chargers]]) || FS [[Ronnie Bradford]] ([[2002 Minnesota Vikings season|Vikings]])
|-
| T [[Todd Weiner]] ([[2001 Seattle Seahawks season|Seahawks]]) || WR [[Terance Mathis]] ([[2002 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Steelers]])
|-
| CB [[Allen Rossum]] ([[2001 Green Bay Packers season|Packers]]) || DE [[Chuck Wiley]] ([[2002 Minnesota Vikings season|Vikings]])
|-
| CB [[Kevin Mathis]] ([[2001 New Orleans Saints season|Saints]]) ||
|-
| CB [[Fred Weary (defensive back)|Fred Weary]] ([[2001 New Orleans Saints season|Saints]]) ||
|}

===NFL draft===
{{main|2002 NFL draft}}
{{NFL team draft start
 | year = 2002
 | teamname = Atlanta Falcons
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
 | round = 1
 | pick = 16
 | player = [[T. J. Duckett]]
 | position = [[Running back]]
 | college = [[2001 Michigan State Spartans football team|Michigan State]]
 | notes = from Washington via Oakland
 | maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
 | round = 3
 | pick = 80
 | player = [[Will Overstreet]]
 | position = [[Linebacker]]
 | college = [[2001 Tennessee Volunteers football team|Tennessee]]
 | notes = 
 | maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
 | round = 4
 | pick = 116
 | player = [[Martin Bibla]]
 | position = [[Guard (gridiron football)|Guard]]
 | college = [[2001 Miami Hurricanes football team|Miami]]
 | notes = from Houston
 | maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
 | round = 5
 | pick = 148
 | player = [[Kevin McCadam]]
 | position = [[Safety (gridiron football position)|Safety]]
 | college = [[2001 Virginia Tech Hokies football team|Virginia Tech]]
 | notes = 
 | maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
 | round = 5
 | pick = 158
 | player = [[Kurt Kittner]]
 | position = [[Quarterback]]
 | college = [[2001 Illinois Fighting Illini football team|Illinois]]
 | notes = from Oakland
 | maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
 | round = 6
 | pick = 184
 | player = [[Kahlil Hill]]
 | position = [[Wide receiver]]
 | college = [[2001 Iowa Hawkeyes football team|Iowa]]
 | notes = 
 | maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
 | round = 7
 | pick = 217
 | player = Michael Coleman
 | position = [[Wide receiver]]
 | college = [[Widener Pioneers football|Widener]]
 | notes = from Dallas
 | maderoster = no
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
 | round = 7
 | pick = 244
 | player = [[Kevin Shaffer]]
 | position = [[Offensive tackle]]
 | college = [[2001 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team|Tulsa]]
 | notes = 
 | maderoster = yes
}}
{{NFL team draft end
 | hof = no
}}

===Undrafted free agents===

{| class="wikitable"
|+ 2002 undrafted free agents of note
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2002|border=2}}"| Player
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2002|border=2}}"| Position
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2002|border=2}}"| College
|-
| [[Matt Allen]]
| [[Punter (football)|Punter]]
| [[2001 Troy State Trojans football team|Troy State]]
|}

==Personnel==

===Staff===
{{NFL final staff
| year = 2002
| team = Atlanta Falcons

| 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_coach =
* Executive vice president/head coach – [[Dan Reeves]]

| offensive =
* Quarterbacks – [[Jack Burns (American football coach)|Jack Burns]]
* Running backs – Ollie Wilson
* Wide receivers – [[Mike Johnson (American football coach)|Mike Johnson]]
* Tight ends – [[James Daniel]]
* Offensive line – [[Pete Mangurian]]
* Assistant offensive line – [[Rennie Simmons]]
* Offensive quality control – [[Ed West (American football)|Ed West]]

| defensive =
* Defensive coordinator – [[Wade Phillips]]
* Defensive line – [[Bill Johnson (American football coach)|Bill Johnson]]
* Linebackers – [[Billy Davis (American football coach)|Billy Davis]]
* Secondary – [[Emmitt Thomas]]
* Defensive quality control – [[Dennis Allen (American football)|Dennis Allen]]

| special_teams =
* Special teams – [[Joe DeCamillis]]

| strength =
* Strength and conditioning – Al Miller
* Assistant strength and conditioning – Rocky Colburn
}}

===Roster===
{{NFL final roster
|Year=2002
|TeamName=Atlanta Falcons
|Active=53
|Inactive=6
|PS=5

|Quarterbacks=
{{NFLplayer|11|Doug Johnson|d=American football}}
{{NFLplayer|15|Kurt Kittner|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|&nbsp;7|Michael Vick}}

|Running Backs=
{{NFLplayer|44|Bob Christian|d=American football|FB}}
{{NFLplayer|45|T. J. Duckett|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|28|Warrick Dunn}}
{{NFLplayer|38|George Layne|FB}}

|Wide Receivers=
{{NFLplayer|82|Darrin Chiaverini}}
{{NFLplayer|86|Brian Finneran}}
{{NFLplayer|81|Trevor Gaylor}}
{{NFLplayer|84|Shawn Jefferson}}
{{NFLplayer|88|Quentin McCord}}

|Tight Ends=
{{NFLplayer|83|Alge Crumpler}}
{{NFLplayer|89|Reggie Kelly}}
{{NFLplayer|85|Brian Kozlowski}}

|Offensive Linemen=
{{NFLplayer|64|Martin Bibla|rookie=y|G}}
{{NFLplayer|71|Travis Claridge|G}}
{{NFLplayer|65|Kynan Forney|G}}
{{NFLplayer|63|Roberto Garza|C/G}}
{{NFLplayer|62|Todd McClure|C}}
{{NFLplayer|76|Kevin Shaffer|rookie=y|T}}
{{NFLplayer|66|Michael Thompson|d=American football|T}}
{{NFLplayer|74|Todd Weiner|T}}
{{NFLplayer|70|Bob Whitfield|T}}

|Defensive Linemen=
{{NFLplayer|77|Ronald Flemons|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|98|Travis Hall|d=American football|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|95|Ed Jasper|NT}}
{{NFLplayer|61|Ellis Johnson|d=defensive lineman|NT}}
{{NFLplayer|97|Patrick Kerney|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|51|Karon Riley|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|91|Brady Smith|d=American football|DE}}

|Linebackers=
{{NFLplayer|56|Keith Brooking|ILB}}
{{NFLplayer|54|Chris Draft|ILB}}
{{NFLplayer|59|John Holecek|ILB}}
{{NFLplayer|93|Sam Rogers|d=linebacker|OLB}}
{{NFLplayer|53|Mark Simoneau|ILB}}
{{NFLplayer|52|Matt Stewart|d=American football|OLB}}
{{NFLplayer|55|John Thierry|OLB}}
{{NFLplayer|50|Artie Ulmer|OLB}}

|Defensive Backs=
{{NFLplayer|33|Ashley Ambrose|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|21|Juran Bolden|CB/S}}
{{NFLplayer|34|Ray Buchanan|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|29|Keion Carpenter|FS}}
{{NFLplayer|35|Johndale Carty|SS}}
{{NFLplayer|30|Henry Jones|d=American football|FS}}
{{NFLplayer|23|Kevin Mathis|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|47|Kevin McCadam|rookie=y|SS}}
{{NFLplayer|20|Allen Rossum|CB/RS}}
{{NFLplayer|22|Gerald McBurrows|SS}}
{{NFLplayer|24|Fred Weary|d=defensive back|CB}}

|Special Teams=
{{NFLplayer|&nbsp;4|Jay Feely|K}}
{{NFLplayer|13|Chris Mohr|P}}
{{NFLplayer|48|Derek Rackley|LS}}

|Reserve Lists=
{{NFLplayer|75|Shane Dronett|DE|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|16|R. J. English|rookie=y|WR|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|36|Travis Jervey|RB|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|49|Dallas Neil|TE|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|90|Will Overstreet|rookie=y|LB|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|--|Jerry Togiai|DT|IR}}

|Practice Squad=
{{NFLplayer|27|Jeff Chaney|RB}}
{{NFLplayer|87|Jimmy Farris|WR}}
{{NFLplayer|69|Kris Farris|T}}
{{NFLplayer|80|Jason Waters|rookie=y|WR}}
{{NFLplayer|79|Ryan Watson|d=American football|rookie=y|DT}}
}}

==Regular season==
===Schedule===
In addition to their [[NFC South]] rivals, the Falcons played all teams from the [[NFC North]] and [[AFC North]]. In addition, the Falcons played the [[2002 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] from the [[NFC East]], and the [[2002 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]] from the [[NFC West]], based on {{nfly|2001}} standings.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2002|border=2}}"| Week
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2002|border=2}}"| Date
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2002|border=2}}"| Opponent
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2002|border=2}}"| Result
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2002|border=2}}"| Record
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2002|border=2}}"| Attendance
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 1
| September 8 
| at [[2002 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]
| '''L''' 34-37 <small>(OT)</small>
|0–1
| 63,127
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 2
| September 15
| [[2002 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]]
| '''L''' 13-14
|0–2
| 68,081
|-style="background:#cfc"
! 3
| September 22
| [[2002 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]]
| '''W''' 30–3
|1–2
| 68,129
|-
! 4
! colspan="5" | ''Bye''
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 5
| October 6
| '''[[2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]'''
| '''L''' 6-20
|1–3
| 68,936
|-style="background:#cfc"
! 6
| October 13
| at [[2002 New York Giants season|New York Giants]]
| '''W''' 17–10
|2–3
| 78,728
|-style="background:#cfc"
! 7
| October 20
| '''[[2002 Carolina Panthers season|Carolina Panthers]]''' 
| '''W''' 30–0
|3–3
| 68,056
|-style="background:#cfc"
! 8
| October 27
| at '''[[2002 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]]'''
| '''W''' 37–35
|4–3
| 67,883
|-style="background:#cfc"
! 9
| November 3 
| [[2002 Baltimore Ravens season|Baltimore Ravens]]
| '''W''' 20–17
|5–3
| 68,532
|-style="background:#ffc"
! 10
| November 10
| at [[2002 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]]
| '''T''' 34–34 <small>(OT)</small>
|5–3–1
| 62,779
|-style="background:#cfc"
! 11
| November 17
| '''[[2002 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]]'''
| '''W''' 24–17
|6–3–1
| 70,382
|-style="background:#cfc"
! 12
| November 24
| at '''[[2002 Carolina Panthers season|Carolina Panthers]]'''
| '''W''' 41–0
|7–3–1
| 72,533
|-style="background:#cfc"
! 13
| December 1
| at [[2002 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]]
| '''W''' 30–24 <small>(OT)</small>
|8–3–1
| 63,947
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 14
| December 8 
| at '''[[2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]'''
| '''L''' 10-34
|8–4–1
| 65,648
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 15
| December 15
| [[2002 Seattle Seahawks season|Seattle Seahawks]]
| '''L''' 24-30 (OT)
|8–5–1
| 69,551
|-style="background:#cfc"
! 16
| December 22
| [[2002 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]]
| '''W''' 36–15
|9–5–1
| 69,307
|-style="background:#fcc"
! 17
| December 29
| at [[2002 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]]
| '''L''' 16-24
|9–6–1
| 73,528
|-
| colspan="6" |'''Note''': Intra-division opponents are in '''bold''' text.
|}

===Game summaries===
====Week 1: at Green Bay Packers====
{{Americanfootballbox
|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2002|border=2}}; text-align:center
|state=autocollapse
|title=Week 1: Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers
|date=September 8, 2002
|time=1:00&nbsp;p.m. 
|road=Falcons
|R1=0 |R2=21 |R3=3 |R4=10 |R5=0
|home='''Packers'''
|H1=3 |H2=10 |H3=14 |H4=7 |H5=3
|stadium=[[Lambeau Field]], [[Green Bay, Wisconsin]]
|attendance=63,127
|weather=Sunny, {{convert|83|F|C}}
|referee=[[Ron Winter]] (14)
|TV=[[NFL on FOX|Fox]]
|TVAnnouncers=[[Curt Menefee]], [[Tim Ryan (American football, born 1967)|Tim Ryan]], and Drew Smith
|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/falcons-at-packers-2002-reg-1 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/18100/GB_Gamebook.pdf Game Book]
|scoring=
'''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 (tight end)|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 (American football)|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.'''''
|stats=
'''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====
{{Americanfootballbox
|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|2002|border=2}};text-align:center;
|state=autocollapse
|title=Week 2: Chicago Bears at Atlanta Falcons
|Road='''Bears'''
|R1=0|R2=7|R3=7|R4=0
|Home=Falcons
|H1=0|H2=10|H3=3|H4=0
|stadium=[[Georgia Dome]], [[Atlanta, Georgia]]
|date=September 15, 2002
|time=1:00&nbsp;pm
|weather=None (indoor stadium)
|TV=[[NFL on FOX|Fox]]
|TVAnnouncers=[[Pat Summerall]], [[Brian Baldinger]]
|referee=[[Jeff Triplette]] (42)
|attendance=68,081
|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/bears-at-falcons-2002-reg-2 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/18110/ATL_Gamebook.pdf Game Book]
|scoring=
'''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 (American football)|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 (wide receiver)|David Terrell]] 14-yard pass from [[Jim Miller (quarterback)|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.''
|stats=
'''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====
{{Americanfootballbox
|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|2002|border=2}};text-align:center;
|state=autocollapse
|title=Week 3: Cincinnati Bengals at Atlanta Falcons
|Road=Bengals
|R1=0|R2=3|R3=0|R4=0
|Home='''Falcons'''
|H1=13|H2=7|H3=7|H4=3
|stadium=Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
|date=September 22, 2002
|time=8:30&nbsp;pm
|weather=None (indoor stadium)
|TV=[[ESPN Sunday Night Football|ESPN]]
|TVAnnouncers=[[Mike Patrick]], [[Joe Theismann]], [[Paul Maguire]], and [[Suzy Kolber]]
|referee=[[Terry McAulay]] (77)
|attendance=68,129
|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/bengas-at-falcons-2002-reg-3 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/18138/ATL_Gamebook.pdf Game Book]
|scoring=
'''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.'''''
|stats=
'''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====
{{Americanfootballbox
|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2002|border=2}};text-align:center;
|state=autocollapse
|title=Week 13: Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings
|date=December 1, 2002
|time=12:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Central Time Zone|CDT]]
|Road='''Falcons'''
|R1=0|R2=14|R3=7|R4=3|R5=6
|Home=Vikings
|H1=7|H2=7|H3=7|H4=3|H5=0
|stadium=[[Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome]], [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]]
|attendance=63,947
|weather=None (indoor stadium)
|referee=[[Ed Hochuli]] (85)
|TV=[[Fox NFL|FOX]]
|TVAnnouncers=[[Kenny Albert]], [[Tim Green]]
|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/falcons-at-vikings-2002-reg-13 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/18278/MIN_Gamebook.pdf Game Book]
|scoring=
'''First quarter'''
*MIN – [[Daunte Culpepper]] 1-yard run ([[Gary Anderson (placekicker)|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 (running back)|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.'''''
|stats=
'''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====
{{Americanfootballbox
|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|2002|border=2}};text-align:center;
|state=autocollapse
|title=Week 16: Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons
|Road=Lions
|R1=0|R2=0|R3=0|R4=15
|Home='''Falcons'''
|H1=3|H2=10|H3=6|H4=17
|stadium=Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
|date=December 22, 2002
|time=1:00&nbsp;p.m.
|weather=none (indoor stadium)
|TV=[[Fox NFL|FOX]]
|TVAnnouncers= [[Dick Stockton]], [[Daryl Johnston]], and [[Ron Pitts]]
|referee=[[Walt Coleman]] (65)
|attendance=69,307
|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/lions-at-falcons-2002-reg-16 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/18321/ATL_Gamebook.pdf Game Book]
|scoring=
'''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 "Little Man" Stewart|James Stewart]] 1-yard pass from [[Mike McMahon (American football)|Mike McMahon]] (Mike McMahon-[[Bill Schroeder (wide receiver)|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.''''' 
|stats=
'''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===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2002|border=2}}"| Week
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2002|border=2}}"| Date
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2002|border=2}}"| Opponent
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2002|border=2}}"| Result
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|year=2002|border=2}}"| Attendance
|- style="background:#ddffdd"
! Wild Card
| {{dow tooltip|January 4, 2003}} 
| at [[2002 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]
| '''W''' 27–7
| 65,358
|- style="background:#ffdddd"
! Divisional
| {{dow tooltip|January 11, 2003}}
| at [[2002 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]
| '''L''' 6–20
| 66,452
|}

===Game summaries===
====NFC Wild Card: at Green Bay Packers====
{{Americanfootballbox
|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Atlanta Falcons|2002|border=2}};text-align:center;
|state=autocollapse
|title=NFC Wild Card Game: (6) Atlanta Falcons at (3) Green Bay Packers
|Road='''Falcons'''
|R1=14|R2=10|R3=3|R4=0
|Home=Packers
|H1=0|H2=0|H3=7|H4=0
|stadium=Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
|date=January 4, 2003
|time=8:00&nbsp;p.m.
|weather=Clear, {{convert|31|F|C}}
|TV=[[NFL on ABC|ABC]]
|referee=[[Bernie Kukar]] (86)
|attendance=65,358
|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/falcons-at-packers-2002-post-1 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/26307/GB_Gamebook.pdf Game Book]
|scoring=
'''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.''
|stats=
'''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==
===Division===
{{2002 NFC South standings}}
===Conference===
{{2002 NFC standings}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Atlanta Falcons}}
{{Atlanta Falcons seasons}}
{{2002 NFL season by team}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2002 Atlanta Falcons Season}}
[[Category:Atlanta Falcons seasons]]
[[Category:2002 NFL season by team|Atlanta Falcons]]
[[Category:2002 in sports in Georgia (U.S. state)|Atlanta Falcons]]
[[Category:2002 in Atlanta]]