 The Atlanta Falcons finished second in the NFC South with an 11–5 record and clinched a wildcard berth.On January 3, 2009, Grimes appeared in his first career playoff game as the Falcons lost 30–24 at the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Wildcard Game.During training camp, Grimes competed for a job as a starting cornerback against Chris Owens, Von Hutchins, Chevis Jackson, and David Irons.