The 1998 Atlanta Falcons: The Season That Changed Football in Atlanta

If you live in Atlanta, you’ve probably heard someone talk about the 1998 Atlanta Falcons with a mix of pride and nostalgia. That season didn’t just produce wins; it reshaped how the city thinks about football, the Georgia Dome, and the Falcons as a core part of Atlanta’s identity.

This guide walks you through what made the 1998 Falcons special, how that season unfolded, and how you can still connect with that history today in Atlanta.

Why the 1998 Falcons Still Matter in Atlanta

For longtime Atlantans, 1998 is remembered as the year the Falcons went from an often-overlooked team to Super Bowl contenders. For newer residents or visitors, understanding that season helps explain:

• Why older fans light up when they hear names like Jamal Anderson, Chris Chandler, or Dan Reeves
• Why “Dirty Bird” isn’t just a dance, but a piece of local sports culture
• How Atlanta’s football scene grew into what you see now at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

If you go to games today, walk through downtown near the stadium, or visit local sports bars, you’ll see reminders of that era in jerseys, posters, and conversations.

Quick Snapshot of the 1998 Atlanta Falcons Season

Here’s a simple overview of what the team accomplished that year:

For a city that had often felt overshadowed in the NFL landscape, this run set a new standard for what Atlanta football could be.

How the 1998 Season Unfolded for Atlanta Fans

A Breakout Year in the Georgia Dome

The Georgia Dome, which once stood next to where Mercedes-Benz Stadium is today, was the Falcons’ home in 1998. Many Atlantans remember that season as the year:

• The Dome became genuinely loud and intimidating for visiting teams
• Tailgating in downtown Atlanta grew into a more unified, citywide ritual
• Fans started seeing the Falcons as legitimate contenders, not just hopeful underdogs

Game days brought extra traffic and crowds into the downtown and Vine City areas, with local businesses feeling the surge from packed home games.

The 14–2 Regular Season

The 1998 Falcons finished with one of the best records in the NFL that year: 14 wins and just 2 losses. For Atlanta residents, that meant:

• Week after week of meaningful games, not just late-season spoilers
• Growing buzz in offices, schools, and neighborhoods across Fulton, DeKalb, and Cobb counties
• A rare feeling in Atlanta sports at the time: solid confidence that the team could beat almost anyone

This wasn’t just a good stretch of games; it was a complete, disciplined season that surprised national observers and energized local fans.

Key Players Atlanta Still Talks About

Jamal Anderson and the “Dirty Bird”

Jamal Anderson, the Falcons’ running back, became the face of the 1998 team. Atlantans remember him for:

• His power running style, carrying the ball again and again to control the clock
• The famous “Dirty Bird” touchdown dance, which quickly became a city-wide trend

You’ll still see fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium doing a version of the Dirty Bird, especially older fans passing the tradition to younger ones. For locals, it’s a symbol of that era’s swagger and confidence.

Chris Chandler at Quarterback

Chris Chandler may not be the flashiest name in NFL history, but in Atlanta, 1998 cemented him as a key figure. He:

• Provided steady quarterback play, spreading the ball around to receivers and tight ends
• Stayed poised in big games, especially in the playoffs

Many longtime Falcons fans remember Chandler as the calm presence behind a high-energy offense.

Dan Reeves on the Sidelines

Head coach Dan Reeves brought experience and structure to the team. Atlantans often credit him with:

• Instilling discipline and consistency in a franchise that had struggled for decades
• Building a tough-minded identity that the city could get behind

His leadership helped bring national respect to Atlanta’s football program.

The Playoff Run: From Atlanta to the Super Bowl

Dominating at Home, Rising in the NFC

The Falcons’ regular-season success gave them strong playoff positioning. For people in Atlanta, that meant:

• Home playoff atmosphere in the Georgia Dome, with ticket demand surging
• Local watch parties at sports bars across Buckhead, Midtown, and the suburbs
• A rare chance to see Atlanta on the big national stage deep into January

The city’s confidence in the team grew every week.

The NFC Championship Game vs. Minnesota

One of the most iconic games in Atlanta sports history is the 1998 NFC Championship Game against the Minnesota Vikings. Even fans who didn’t watch it live still hear about it from friends and relatives.

Why it matters so much in Atlanta:

• Minnesota was heavily favored, and many outsiders didn’t expect the Falcons to win
• Atlanta forced the game into overtime, then kicked the game-winning field goal
• The victory sent the Falcons to their first-ever Super Bowl appearance

That win gave Atlanta a huge emotional boost, and for many residents it remains one of the most memorable sports moments the city has ever experienced.

Super Bowl XXXIII

The Falcons advanced to Super Bowl XXXIII, played in Miami. While they ultimately lost to the Denver Broncos, getting there was historic for Atlanta.

Locally, the Super Bowl run meant:

• Weeks of national attention on Atlanta and its team
• Packed watch parties across the metro area
• A lasting sense that Atlanta could compete at the highest level of the sport

Even though the final game didn’t go Atlanta’s way, the season itself is still widely regarded as a milestone.

How the 1998 Falcons Shaped Today’s Falcons Culture

From the Georgia Dome to Mercedes-Benz Stadium

The Georgia Dome has since been demolished, and the Falcons now play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium at:

• 1 AMB Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

When you walk into Mercedes-Benz Stadium today:

• Banners, displays, and historical references often highlight the 1998 team
• Fans wearing vintage 1998-era jerseys are common on game day
• The way the city embraces big games traces back to that first real taste of national relevance

The 1998 success helped build the fan base that later supported the transition to a modern, downtown stadium.

The “Dirty Bird” Legacy

The Dirty Bird dance became an Atlanta cultural symbol in 1998 and remains part of fan identity:

• You may see it in youth football leagues around metro Atlanta
• Older fans teach it to kids at tailgates and family gatherings
• It shows up in local sports bars anytime someone revisits classic Falcons highlights

For new residents, learning about the Dirty Bird is almost like a short course in local sports history.

Experiencing 1998 Falcons History in Atlanta Today

If you’re in Atlanta and want to connect with that legendary season, here are some practical ways to do it.

1. Visit Mercedes-Benz Stadium

While the 1998 team played in the Georgia Dome, their legacy lives on at the Falcons’ current home:

Mercedes-Benz Stadium
1 AMB Drive NW
Atlanta, GA 30313
Main information line (commonly listed): (470) 341-5000

Things you can do:

• Take a stadium tour (when available) to see team history displays and memorabilia
• Check out Falcons-themed areas that may recognize past playoff runs and star players
• Shop at the official team store for throwback or 1998-style gear

Tours and schedules change, so it’s best to look up current offerings before heading down.

2. Explore Local Sports Bars and Fan Spots

If you want to hear stories from people who lived through the 1998 season, local sports bars are a good starting point. Popular areas include:

• Downtown and Midtown around game days
• Buckhead, known for its concentration of bars and restaurants
• Suburban hubs in Sandy Springs, Marietta, and Decatur

On major Falcons dates (like season openers or big rival games), you’re more likely to find fans re-watching or discussing 1998 highlights.

3. Check Out Local Sports Media and Archives

Sports-focused outlets in the Atlanta area frequently revisit the 1998 season, especially around anniversaries or when the Falcons make another deep playoff run. You can:

• Listen to Atlanta sports radio shows, which often take calls from fans who remember that season
• Watch classic game replays when local or national networks highlight historic Falcons moments
• Look for features or retrospectives around January, when the playoffs roll around

This can be helpful if you’re new to Atlanta and want context behind today’s fan expectations.

What Atlanta Residents Learn From the 1998 Falcons

The 1998 Falcons season taught Atlanta several lasting lessons:

• The city will rally behind a winner. When the team competes at a high level, stadiums fill, watch parties spread, and team gear becomes everyday wear.
• Playoff success leaves deep roots. Even decades later, that one run shapes how fans talk about what the Falcons “should” be.
• Football is part of Atlanta’s identity. Alongside music, film, and business, the Falcons are one of the city’s most visible national ambassadors.

If you live here now—whether you’re a lifelong Atlantan, a transplant, or a student—you’ll feel the echoes of 1998 every time the Falcons are in a big game.

Understanding the 1998 Atlanta Falcons isn’t just about numbers or scores. It’s about a season when Atlanta football finally matched the city’s ambition, and the community came together around a team that reached the sport’s biggest stage.