Atlanta unveils all-decade D, special teams

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

The Falcons will announce the offense next 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 through the decades:

2010-19: The team went to the playoffs five times and reached Super Bowl LI, posted a comprehensive 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 through a decade in franchise history.

2000-09: The team went to the playoffs in 2002, 2004 and 2008, Matt Ryan’s rookie season. The 2002 team, with Michael Vick, made history by giving Green Bay its first 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: Coaches 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, 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 the playoffs at 12-4 in 1980, losing to Dallas. The 1982 team went to the playoffs with a 5-4 record in a strike season. The franchise lost 11 or more games five times during this bleak decade, posting a 57-94-1 regular-season record and 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 0-1 in the playoffs.

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