Falcons set to announce all-decade defense, special teams

Falcons defensive end John Abraham comes in low with an all out rush to tackle Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers during second half action on historic Lambeau Field, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008.      Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: Curtis Compton

Credit: Curtis Compton

Falcons defensive end John Abraham comes in low with an all out rush to tackle Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers during second half action on historic Lambeau Field, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008. Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com

The Falcons are set to announce their all-decade defense and special teams from 2010-19, the first decade in franchise history that the team posted an overall winning record, on Monday.

The Falcons will announce the offense the following week. The teams were selected by a panel of media members, Falcons alumni and staff. The teams will have 12 players, 11 starters and a flex player for offense and defense.

The special teams will consist of a kicker, punter, returner, special teamer and long snapper.

Here’s a look back at how the franchise has fared over the decades:

2010-19: In the franchise's most successful decade, the team went to the playoffs five times and reached Super Bowl LI. The team posted an 89-71 regular-season record and went 4-5 in the playoffs. Coaches Mike Smith and Dan Quinn combined to post the first winning mark over a decade in franchise history.

2000-09: The team went to the playoffs in 2002, 2004 and 2008, in Matt Ryan's rookie season. The 2002 team, with Michael Vick at the controls, made some history by giving Green Bay its first-ever playoff loss at Lambeau Field. The Falcons posted a regular-season record of 75-84-1 and went 2-3 in the playoffs.

1990-99: Jerry Glanville (1991), June Jones (1995) and Dan Reeves (1998) took the team to the playoffs in this decade. The 1998 team won the NFC title and reached the Super Bowl before losing to Denver. The regular-season record was 72-88. The team went 3-3 in the playoffs.

1980-89:  The highlight was going to playoffs at 12-4 in 1980 and losing to Dallas. The 1982 team went to the playoffs with a 5-4 record in strike season. The franchise loss 11 or more games five times during this bleak decade. They posted a 57-94-1 regular-season record and were 0-2 in the playoffs.

1970 – 79:  The Falcons posted their first winning season (7-6-1) in 1971. They went to the playoffs for the first time in 1978 and posted a 60-81-3 regular-season record for the decade. They were 1-1 in the playoffs.

1966 – 69:  The Falcons got off to a slow start with a 3-11 first season. In 1969, they went 6-8 for their best season of the 1960s. They posted a 12- 43-1 record.