The Falcons prepare for a meeting against a team that’s had their number more than almost any other team in the league in the Indianapolis Colts.
The last four meetings have resulted in the spoils being
shared, with Atlanta winning in 2011 and 2023. When you consider the historic context of this matchup, that’s an immense accomplishment for the Falcons, who had only ever beaten Indianapolis one time — during their 14-win season in 1998 — before that 2011 game, where rookie Julio Jones had two impressive touchdowns and a coming out party.
Dating back to their time in Baltimore, the Colts won the first 10 all time meetings against the Falcons, turning the team out of south into their own personal punching bag. They tacked on three more wins during the Peyton Manning era after that 1998 defeat as well, all coming in blowout fashion.
Overall, the Colts’ 15-3 record over the Birds is the most success any team has had against them from a win percentage standpoint, outside the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Last Meeting
The Falcons and Colts met for a Christmas Eve clash in 2023, where Atlanta was carrying some slim playoff hopes, and Indy had momentum with three wins in four games coming out of their bye.
The Gardner Minshew-led Colts went right downfield on their first drive and capped it with a short Jonathan Taylor touchdown, before Atlanta’s first drive started slow but morphed into three consecutive explosive plays which culminated in a Taylor Heinicke touchdown pass to Kyle Pitts.
Those were the only end zone trips of the first half, but Atlanta tacked on two field goals, before opening the third quarter with a 31-yard Tyler Allgeier touchdown run to take a double digit lead.
Koo hit three more field goals the rest of the way, and Atlanta’s defense forced two turnover on downs and secured a Jessie Bates interception to stifle the Colts, holding them to just three second half points.
The Falcons blew Indy out 29-10, in what ended up being Arthur Smith’s last-ever win as head coach.
