The Atlanta Falcons are coming off the fourth straight winning season for the first time in franchise history, and 2011 was a year to remember for a lot of different reasons. AtlantaFalcons.com takes a look back at the season that was and all the big moments of the 2011 season with the season’s best games, plays, performances, storylines, quotes, photos and more.

5) Curtis Lofton’s 14 tackles and pick-six vs. Tampa
The Falcons middle linebacker had a career year and was without question a Pro Bowl snub with his 147 tackles, good enough for fifth in the NFL in 2011. Lofton finished off the year with perhaps his best game of the season as the Falcons faced NFC South rival Tampa Bay at the Georgia Dome in the regular-season finale. Lofton was everywhere that Sunday, and when the dust settled he found himself in the stat book with 14 tackles and a pick-six — the first NFL touchdown of his four year career. Lofton tipped a wayward Josh Freeman pass to himself, hauled it in and booked into the end zone for the score on a day when points came in bunches.

4) Matt Ryan’s comeback performance vs. Carolina
The Falcons’ visit to Charlotte this season quickly started out as one they’d want to forget rather quickly. Atlanta stumbled out of the gate facing the suddenly-hot Panthers, and rookie quarterback Cam Newton made the Falcons pay, jumping out to a 23-7 lead before halftime. But that’s when Matt Ryan showed up and began to shine. Ryan’s offense scored 24 unanswered points in the second half as the fourth-year QB went 22-for-38 with 320 yards and four touchdowns for a game to bring the Falcons back to win 31-23.

3) Tony Gonzalez’s clutch day vs. Philadelphia
Coming into the Week 2 matchup against Philadelphia, the Falcons were faced with plenty of questions about how they’d perform against the group dubbed the “Dream Team” during the preseason for all the star power the roster contained. But the Falcons have stars of their own, and one of the biggest made the best plays on the biggest night as future Hall-of-Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez flashed consistency all night, finishing with seven receptions for 83 yards and two touchdowns — one of which was an incredible one-hander that came in second on our top plays of the year list.

2) John Abraham notches 3.5 sacks vs. Jacksonville
Lofton wasn’t the only defender wrecking havoc for opposing offenses this season. Defensive end John Abraham had one of the best games of his career against Jacksonville on Thursday Night Football. The Predator was hungry that night and it showed right from the start. Abraham recorded 3.5 sacks on rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert and also forced two fumbles, one of which was picked up and run into the end zone for a score by defensive tackle Corey Peters. Abraham brutalized the Jacksonville offense that night and helped the Jaguars limp out of town with a blowout defeat.

1) Julio Jones’ breakout performance vs. Indianapolis
It had been a long time coming, even though there had been flashes that it might be on the horizon when rookie wide receiver Julio Jones finally broke out with a big performance. Hampered by a hamstring injury early in the season, Jones returned to action against Indianapolis and made sure the Colts wouldn’t be forgetting him any time soon. Jones caught just three passes but racked up 131 yards and two touchdowns for the first scores of his NFL career. Jones hauled in a 50-yard score that made our top plays countdown at the No. 1 spot and then followed it up with an 80-yard touchdown that left Colts defenders looking at the back of his jersey. For his performance that day and all the hype surrounding it, Jones earns the top spot here, too.


See more of our Best of 2011 series: