May 5, 2012: Philip Rivers, QB for the Cleveland Browns, is traded to the Dallas Cowboys in a blockbuster that sees Dallas give their 2013 and 2014 first-round picks, along with WR Jordy Nelson, for the Pro Bowler. The Browns plan to start rookie Ryan Lindley in his place, a risky gamble, but one they hope will pay off, as they see their fourth-rounder as a steal.
May 12, 2012: Ben Roethlisberger is officially renamed the Denver Broncos’ starting QB.
September 9, 2012: The Atlanta Falcons defeat the heavily favored Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, 45-13, as Andrew Luck throws for three touchdowns and 406 yards, along with rushing for a touchdown and 34 yards.
September 17, 2012: The Atlanta Falcons defeat the Kansas City Chiefs, 56-0, as Andrew Luck passes for five touchdowns, and 459 yards. Falcons S Earl Thomas gets two interceptions, one of which he returns for a touchdown, and a forced fumble, along with a fumble recovery in the game.
September 23, 2012: The Atlanta Falcons defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Raymond James Stadium, 48-39, as Andrew Luck passes for three touchdowns along with 387 yards, and rushes for a touchdown. The former Falcons, now Buccaneers, starting QB, Michael Vick, threw for two touchdowns and rushed for two more, in a defeat that saw him throw an interception and fumble once, on the run after an Earl Thomas hit.
September 30, 2012: The Atlanta Falcons defeat the Denver Broncos at Mile High, 41-28, as Andrew Luck passes for 3 touchdowns and 361 yards. Ben Roethlisberger passes for 4 touchdowns, one interception, and 400 yards in the loss.
October 7, 2012: The Atlanta Falcons defeat the Las Vegas Express, 51-9, as Andrew Luck passes for three touchdowns and 406 yards, and rushes for two touchdowns and 106 yards.
October 8, 2012: The Atlanta Falcons’ win streak, during which they have never scored less than 40 points, gains its nickname from Mike Ditka, who refers to it as the “Reign of Terror”, in a discussion with Skip Bayless on the air.
October 14, 2012: The Atlanta Falcons defeat the Toronto Stallions, 50-17, as Andrew Luck passes for six touchdowns and 443 yards. DE Ryan Kerrigan sacks Eli Manning five times, including two times in the end zone.
October 18, 2012: When asked about the “Reign of Terror” nickname, Andrew Luck replies “Let them eat losses.”
October 28, 2012: The Atlanta Falcons defeat the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, 49-14, as Andrew Luck passes for five touchdowns and 384 yards.
November 4, 2012: The New York Giants defeat the Atlanta Falcons in overtime at the Georgia Dome, 59-56, in the highest scoring NFL game of all time. Drew Brees passes for seven touchdowns and 516 yards and Andrew Luck passes for seven touchdowns and 503 yards, along with an interception, as the game becomes the first ever to see both teams’ quarterbacks pass for seven touchdowns and over 500 yards. The Giants officially end the Reign of Terror and claim that they will be able to conquer the Falcons again if they meet in the playoffs.