Once a stadium, Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, was built, Atlantans felt the time was ripe to start pursuing Professional Football. One independent group which had been active in NFL exhibition promotions in Atlanta applied for franchises in both the American Football League and the NFL, acting entirely on its own with no guarantee of stadium rights. Another group reported it had deposited earnest money for a team in the AFL.With everyone running in different directions, some local businessmen worked out a deal and were awarded an AFL franchise on June 7, 1965, contingent upon acquiring exclusive stadium rights from city officials.

NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle, who had been moving slowly in Atlanta matters, was spurred by the AFL interest and headed on the next plane down to Atlanta to block the rival league's claim on the city of Atlanta. He forced the city to make a choice between the two leagues. Of course on that memorable June 30 Rankin Smith and the NFL were the choice.

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. 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).

Vick returned for the full season in 2004, when the Falcons went 11–5. They made it to the Conference Championship, once again losing to the Eagles. On December 21, 2008 Atlanta Falcons beat the Minnesota Vikings 24–17 to clinch a wild card spot, earning a trip to the playoffs for the first time since 2004. The Falcons finished the 2008 regular season with a record of 11–5. The Falcons would go on to lose in the wild-card round of the 2008 NFL playoffs to the eventual NFC champion Arizona Cardinals, 30–24. Michael Vick has become a local household name with his jersey displayed to sell Atlanta Falcons tickets at football games.

The divisional schedule this season includes the Nov. 2 (Monday) game at 8:30pm EST at New Orleans Saints Louisiana Superdome, November 15 at 1pm EST at Carolina Panthers Bank of America Stadium, November 29 at 1pm EST with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home in the Georgia Dome, December 13 at 1pm EST with the New Orleans Saints at home in the Georgia Dome and January 3, 2010 at 1pm EST at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Raymond James Stadium. Get amazing Atlanta Falcons tickets here with the Seats and see if Matt Ryan and company can win the division and make it all the way to Miami for the Super Bowl.