The Atlanta Falcons are an American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia.

They are currently a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) South division in the National Football League (NFL).

The Atlanta Falcons franchise began on June 30, 1965 when NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle granted ownership to Rankin Smith Sr.

The Falcons had their first season in 1966, and their first game (preseason) on August 1, 1966 losing to the Philadelphia Eagles.

After losing their first nine games that season, their first victory was on the road against the New York Giants.

In the 1978 season, the Falcons entered their first playoff series and won the Wild Card Playoffs against the Eagles only to lose to the Dallas Cowboys in the Divisional Playoffs.

After the 1982 season, the Atlanta Falcons did not see another playoff series until 1991, when they lost to the Washington Redskins in the Divisional Playoffs.

Led by QB Chris Chandler and RB Jamal Anderson, the "Dirty Bird" Falcons had their greatest season to date in 1998.

On January 18, 1999, the Falcons upset the top-seeded 15-1 Vikings at Minnesota in the NFC Championship Game, 30-27 in overtime.

In the 2001 NFL Draft, the Falcons orchestrated a trade with the San Diego Chargers, acquiring the first overall pick (which was used on quarterback Michael Vick) in exchange for wide receiver Tim Dwight and the fifth overall pick (used on running back LaDainian Tomlinson).

On December 11, 13 games into his first NFL season as coach of the Atlanta Falcons, Bobby Petrino resigned, then accepted an offer to take over as the head coach at the University of Arkansas.

Atlanta Falcons 2010 Draft Class