The 1986 Atlanta Falcons season was the franchise's 21st season in the National Football League (NFL). It began with moderate expectations. Head coach Dan Henning was going into his fourth year having failed to post a record above .500 in any of his first three seasons. Local media, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, saw it as Henning's last chance to save his head coaching job. Atlanta entered the season led by, among others, Gerald Riggs, Scott Case, Bill Fralic and Jeff VanNote. David Archer was the starting quarterback heading into the season.