The Atlanta Falcons' Week 1 overtime win over the NFC South rival New Orleans Saints on Sunday was truly a game for the ages, surrounded with huge hopes and expectations, which got us to wondering if it was the best season-opening game in franchise history, factoring in storylines, anticipation and regardless of outcome; here are five to consider:
1. Week 1 of the 1966 season
There's no debate about any Falcons season-openers, without the very first one actually taking place. In 1966, the NFL awarded Rankin M. Smith a franchise for the city of Atlanta for $8.5 million. At the time, there were 14 NFL franchises in existence, eight AFL clubs. Officially, Atlanta became the 23rd professional football club in existence, the 15th in the NFL, prior to the merger. The first game in franchise history has to serve as one of the most-memorable Week 1 openers in club history, despite the 19-14 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The Falcons fell behind early, 16-0, and weren't able to recover, despite two TDs by QB Randy Johnson, a 53-yard pass to WR Gary Barnes and a 3-yard TD run.
2. Week 1 of the 1973 season
The Falcons season-opening game in 1973 is more than memorable, thanks to the club smashing 35 team records in its 62-7 defeat of the New Orleans Saints. Among the litany of Falcons highlights were three-rushing TDs, one each by RBs Art Malone, Joe Profit and Eddie Ray, who also caught a TD pass from QB Bob Lee. Also in the historic contest, Falcons QB Dick Shiner threw three TD passes (two caught by WR Ken Burrow and one by WR Wes Chesson) and CB Tom Hayes logged a pick-six from 65 yards out. Falcons K Nick Mike-Mayer added two FGs (21, 45) in the dominating win.
In Sunday's victory against the New Orleans Saints, QB Matt Ryan set a franchise record in both passing touchdowns (156) and for most passing yards in a game (448). Take a look at other big moments in Ryan's career so far.
QB Matt Ryan's first game of his career came against the Detroit Lions in 2008 after he was drafted in the first round by the Atlanta Falcons. Ryan's first pass of his career was also his first touchdown, as he hit WR Michael Jenkins for a 62-yard touchdown. Ryan logged 161 yards in the game and ended with a passer rating of 137. The Falcons went 11-5 during Ryan's first season leading the team.
Before Sunday's game, Ryan previously held the second spot in franchise history for most grossed pass yards during a game. In last season's loss against the New England Patriots, Ryan passed for 421 yards going 34-for-51 in pass attempts. After this week, Ryan now holds the top spot logging 448 yards.
Ryan's highest completion percentage during a game was .857 during a game in 2010 against the Green Bay Packers. Ryan passed for 197 yards and led the team to a 20-17 victory.
During a game against the San Francisco 49ers during the 2013 season, Ryan broke the record for most passes completed during a single game with 37.
Before the game against the 49ers, Ryan already tied the second spot in franchise history in most passes completed in a single game with 36 after a game against the New York Jets earlier in the 2013 season.
Ryan earned his 50th career win in a game against the Eagles in the 2012 season. The Falcons defeated the Eagles 30-17 with Ryan throwing for 262 yards and three touchdowns.
Ryan's first playoff win of his career came in 2012 during an NFC Division playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks. Ryan threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns during the 30-28 win.
The 100th touchdown of Ryan's career came in 2012 during a game against the Denver Broncos. The Falcons came out victorious with a 21-17 score.
Ryan had his first Pro Bowl selection after the 2010 season in which he threw for 3,705 yards and 28 touchdowns. The Falcons finished the 2010 season 13-3 and made it to the playoffs.
The 2014 season-opener against the Saints was definitely a memorable victory. Ryan broke the franchise record for passing touchdowns (156) with touchdown passes to WR Roddy White, TE Levine Toilolo and RB Antone Smith. Ryan also logged 448 yards passing breaking the franchise record for most passing yards in a single game and also extended his franchise record for overall passing yards with 23,920 total.
3. Week 1 of the 1999 season
Following the Falcons 1998 NFC title game, when the club shocked the world by defeating the Minnesota Vikings, the rematch was on in Week 1 of the '99 season; the hype, hope and expectations for Atlanta to get back to the Super Bowl had the city buzzing. In the highly-publicized contest, the Falcons gave a brilliant come-from-behind effort, trailing the Vikings 17-0 in the second quarter, when Falcons QB Chris Chandler connected with WR Chris Calloway for a 23-yard score, followed by a 2-yard TD run by Falcons FB Bob Christian, before eventually falling to Minnesota, 17-14.
4. Week 1 of the 2008 season
The Mike Smith-Matt Ryan era begins. The Falcons hired Smith to lead the team that would be directed by a new face of the franchise, Matty Ice, who was selected third-overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. Both head coach and QB earned rave reviews after the Week 1 victory against the Detroit Lions, 34-21. In the victory, Ryan became the first QB to throw a TD pass on his initial NFL attempt, since New England's Michael Bishop accomplished the feat against Indianapolis on Oct. 8, 2000.
5. Week 1 of the 2014 season
After a disappointing 2013 season, followed by key free-agent additions and draft picks, Falcons fans were beyond hyped for the 2014 Week 1 opener. The build-up for the game was also intensified, thanks to an 89-game series rivalry against the New Orleans Saints. The contest was filled with clutch plays in all three phases, highlighted by a record-setting day for both Ryan, who became the franchise leader in career passing TDs (156) and single-game passing yards (448) and Falcons WR Roddy White, who moved into a second-place tie with former Falcons WR Andre Rison, for most-career TD receptions as a Falcon (56). The back-and-forth contest went into overtime, where Falcons S William Moore forced a Saints fumble, recovered by LB Joplo Bartu, leading to a game-winning 52-yard FG by Falcons K Matt Bryant, his third clutch kick in the 37-34 victory.
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