Sunday's win over the Oakland Raiders has moved Falcons head coach Mike Smith into a first-place tie with 49 wins in the Falcons history books.
The 23-20 win improved Smith's record to 49-21 since joining the club in 2008. Former head coach Dan Reeves accumulated a 49-59-1 record from 1997-2003.
Smith's run into the 2012 season is the best in franchise annals, hitting the record win mark in historic fashion.
Under Smith the Falcons have recorded four consecutive winning seasons, the first time the Falcons have accomplished that. This season's 6-0 start is also a first in franchise history. Prior to this season, the Falcons best start to a season was beginning 4-0 three other times.
Smith's record in his five seasons with the Falcons is the fifth-best mark in the NFL over that time period.
Following the 2009 season, he became the first coach in franchise history to secure back-to-back winning seasons and his two consecutive playoff appearances in 2010 and '11 were the first time a Falcons head coach delivered back-to-back playoff seasons.
Smith was recognized as the Coach of the Year by The Sporting News in 2008 and '10. His record in the Georgia Dome is 28-6 and his record at home in his first three seasons is the second-best home record in NFL history by a coach in his first three seasons.
The Falcons' 2010 13-3 record under Smith's direction is the second-most wins in team history in a single season.
