This is the 13^th time the Falcons opened the season with a 1-3 record. They rallied to make the playoffs under coaches Leeman Bennett in 1978 and Dan Reeves in 2002. The last time the Falcons started 1-3 was in 2007 under head coach Bobby Petrino. 

TEAM         FINAL RECORD  PLAYOFFS

1969                   6-8                No

1973                   9-5                No

1974                   3-11              No

1976                   4-10              No

1978                   9-7                Yes

1987                   3-12               No

1988                   5-11               No

1989                    3-13              No

1992                    6-10              No

2002                    9-6-1             Yes

2003                    5-11              No

2007                    4-12              No

2013                    ????             ???         

IN CASE YOU MISSED  IT:

GAME STORY:  Patriots withstand rally to down Falcons, 30-23
 

REPORT CARD: Few positives in loss to the Patriots

TONY G: Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez on 1-3 start to final season: 'Not how I envisioned it at all' -- myajc.com ($)

AJC COLUMNIST MARK BRADLEY: When they see red, they stop  and lose

Falcons bench tackle Lamar Holmes for Jeremy Trueblood

Falcons quoteboard after 30-23 loss to the Patriots -- myajc.com ($)

Tom Brady, green group of receivers befuddle Falcons -- myajc.com ($)