1977 Atlanta Falcons season

1977 Atlanta Falcons season
OwnerRankin M. Smith Sr.
General managerEddie LeBaron
Head coachLeeman Bennett
Home fieldFulton County Stadium
Results
Record7–7
Division place2nd NFC West
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersCB Rolland Lawrence
DE Claude Humphrey
P John James

The 1977 Atlanta Falcons season was the team's 12th year in the National Football League. The team finished the season .500, and did not qualify for the playoffs.

Although the Falcons' offense struggled, the defense, nicknamed "Grits Blitz", was dominant.[1] The Falcons' 129 points allowed led the league and established an all-time NFL record for fewest points allowed in an NFL season.[2] Atlanta's 3,242 total yards allowed were second-fewest in the league,[3] and the Falcons' 1,384 passing yards allowed was by far the best in the NFL in 1977.[4]

  1. ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com: 1977 Atlanta Falcons
  2. ^ Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1960 to 1977, in the regular season, sorted by ascending Points Allowed.
  3. ^ behind Dallas's 3,213: Pro-Football-Reference.com: 1977 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics
  4. ^ Dallas's 1,562 passing yards allowed was second-best