Editing Atlanta Falcons (section)

==== Dan Reeves years (1997–2003) ====
In 1998, under recently acquired head coach [[Dan Reeves]], quarterback [[Chris Chandler (American football)|Chris Chandler]] and running back [[Jamal Anderson]] the "Dirty Bird" Falcons had their greatest season to date.<ref name="g435">{{cite web | title=10 moments that defined the '98 Atlanta Falcons | website=Atlanta Magazine | date=2019-01-24 | url=https://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/10-moments-that-defined-the-98-atlanta-falcons/ | access-date=2024-08-24}}</ref><ref name="q170">{{cite web | last=Newberry | first=Paul | title=As Super Bowl nears, Falcons remember 'Dirty Birds' of 1998 | website=Gainesville Times | date=2017-08-27 | url=https://www.gainesvilletimes.com/sports/pros/as-super-bowl-nears-falcons-remember-dirty-birds-of-1998/ | access-date=2024-08-24}}</ref> On November 8, they beat the [[New England Patriots]] 41–10, ending a streak of 22 losses at cold-weather sites. The team finished with a franchise-best 14–2 regular-season record and the NFC West division championship.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1998 Atlanta Falcons Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/atl/1998.htm |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> On January 17, 1999, the Falcons upset the top-seeded Vikings at the [[Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome]] in the [[NFC Championship Game]] 30–27, in an exciting overtime victory. However, in their first-ever Super Bowl appearance, they lost 34–19 to the defending champion [[Denver Broncos]] in [[Super Bowl XXXIII]].

In the second game of the Falcons 1999 season, running back [[Jamal Anderson]], who had been a key player in the Falcons' 1998 success, suffered a season-ending knee injury. The Falcons finished the season with a very disappointing 5–11 regular-season record.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1999 Atlanta Falcons Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/atl/1999.htm |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> In 2000, the Falcons suffered through another horrendous season finishing 4–12 and once again missing the playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2000 Atlanta Falcons Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/atl/2000.htm |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

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-return specialist [[Tim Dwight]] and the fifth overall pick (used on running back [[LaDainian Tomlinson]]).<ref name="d282">{{cite web | last=Jones | first=Lindsay | title=The 2001 NFL Draft trade that changed the Falcons, Chargers and QB play forever | website=The Athletic | date=2021-04-27 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2535152/2021/04/27/the-2001-nfl-draft-trade-that-changed-the-falcons-chargers-and-qb-play-forever/ | access-date=2024-08-24}}</ref>

The Falcons finished the [[2001 Atlanta Falcons season|2001 season]] with a record of 7–9 and missed the playoffs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2001 Atlanta Falcons Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/atl/2001.htm |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> [[Jessie Tuggle]] retired following 14 seasons in Atlanta.<ref name="a120">{{Cite web |date=August 29, 2001 |title=Tuggle, out of plans for Atlanta, retires |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2001/08/29/tuggle-out-of-plans-for-atlanta-retires/ |access-date=2024-08-24 |website=Tampa Bay Times}}</ref>