Games 1 - 3

GAMES 1 - 3

• The regular starting lineups for the 1980 team

Alfred Jenkins led the Falcons in receiving in 1980 with 57 catches for 1,025 yards and six touchdowns

Minnesota 24, Atlanta 23

(Metropolitan Stadium - 44,773)

The Falcons demonstrated the explosiveness and comeback ability that would eventually prove trademarks for the season in a last-minute 24-23 defeat at Minnesota. The Falcons scored first, but Minnesota regained the upper hand behind the passing of Tommy Kramer and appeared in control with a 21-6 lead midway through the third quarter. A 46-yard bomb from Steve Bartkowski to Alfred Jenkins put a dent in the lead, and another touchdown pass to Alfred Jackson closed the gap to 21-20. The Falcons took the lead with a Tim Mazzetti field goal, but a nulllified, then missed extra point after the Falcons first score proved disastrous when Kramer passed the Vikings into position for a game-winning field goal with only 0:25 remaining in the game. Despite the defeat, the game left signs of encouragement as running back Lynn Cain responded to off-season knee surgery with 123 yards rushing.

SCORING:

• ATL - Cain 3-yard run (kick failed after 10-yard penalty)
• MIN - S. White 24-yard pass from Kramer (Danmeier kick)
• MIN - Senser 4-yard pass from Kramer (Danmeier kick)
• MIN - Tucker 4-yard pass from Kramer (Danmeier kick)
• ATL - Jenkins 46-yard pass from Bartkowski (Mazzetti kick)
• ATL - A. Jackson 19-yard pass from Bartkowski (Mazzetti kick)
• ATL - FG Mazzetti 34
• MIN - FG Danmeier 27

BOXSCORE:

Rushing

• Falcons - Cain 24 for 123, Andrews 7 for 35, Bartkowski 1 for 0.
• Vikings - Brown 10 for 36, Young 8 for 16, Rashad, 1 for 8, R. Miller 1 for 6, Kramer 1 for 7, Pachal 2 for 4.

Passing

• Falcons - Bartkowski 14 of 28 for 165, 2 TD, 1 INT
• Vikings - Kramer 30 of 42 for 395, 3 TD, 1 INT

Receiving

• Falcons - Andrews 5 for 36, Francis 4 for 47, Jenkins 2 for 49, Jackson 2 for 29, Mikeska 1 for 4.
• Vikings - Vikings receiving statistics not available.

William Andrews anchored the Falcons' bruising rushing attack

Atlanta 37, New England 21

(Schaefer Stadium - 48,321)

Entering the game as a solid underdog, the Falcons offered an indication of what was to come in 1980 as they blasted the New England Patriots, 37-21. The hero of the day was rookie tight end Junior Miller, who caught eight passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns. However, Miller had adequate help as fullback William Andrews stunned the proud Patriot rushing defense with 124 yards on 19 carries. The Patriots scored first after the Falcons fumbled the opening kickoff, but Atlanta responded with 28 first-half points, their biggest first-half outburst since 1972 (31 vs. Chicago). However, the second half belonged to the improving Falcons defense, which held New England scoreless. Linebacker Buddy Curry intercepted the only pass of the day, but rookie teammate Kenny Johnson played the key role in limiting the Patriots' Stanley Morgan to two catches for just 43 yards.

SCORING:

• NE - Hasselbeck 9-yard pass from Grogan (Smith kick)
• ATL - Andrews 1-yard run (Mazzetti kick)
• ATL - Francis 28-yard pass from Bartkowski (Mazzetti kick)
• NE - Calhoun 1-yard run (Smith kick)
• ATL - Miller 12-yard pass from Bartkowski (Mazzetti kick)
• ATL - Miller 22-yard pass from Bartkowski (Mazzetti kick)
• NE - Morgan 25-yard pass from Grogan (Smith kick)
• ATL - FG Mazzetti 26
• ATL - FG Mazzetti 27
• ATL - FG Mazzetti 39

BOXSCORE:

Rushing

• Falcons - Andrews 19 for 124, Cain 19 for 44, Bartkowski 3 for -1.
• Patriots - Calhoun 12 for 41, Grogan 5 for 27, Foreman 3 for 18, Ivory 4 for 11, Ferguson 2 for 4, Morgan 1 for 3.

Passing

• Falcons - Bartkowski 19 of 30 for 244, 3 TD
• Patriots - Grogan 17 of 31 for 169, 2 TD, 1 INT

Receiving

• Falcons - Miller 8 for 117, Andrews 4 for 30, Jenkins 2 for 39, Francis 2 for 38, Cain 2 for 7, Jackson 1 for 13.
• Patriots - Jackson 3 for 39, Hasselbeck 3 for 37, Morgan 2 for 43, Johnson 2 for 17, Foreman 2 for 15, Ivory 2 for 12, Calhoun 2 for 7, Pennywell 1 for -1.

Steve Bartkowski's 31 touchdown passes in 1980 still stands as a Falcons record

Miami 20, Atlanta 17

(Atlanta Fulton County Stadium - 55,479)

For the second time in three weeks, the Falcons lost the lead and the game in the final seconds as Miami scored 17 fourth-quarter points to take a 20-17 decision. The Dolphins victory overshadowed a brilliant passing performance by Steve Bartkowski, whose 332 yards set a new club single-game record. However, the Dolphins were able to shut down the punishing Falcons ground game, limiting Atlanta to just 49 yards. A fourth quarter field goal by Tim Mazzetti gave Atlanta a 17-3 advantage, but an 87-yard kickoff return by Georgia Tech grad Don Besillou gave the Dolphins an opening. Veteran Miami quarterback Bob Griese hit touchdown passes for one and four yards to tie the score and a 50-yard field goal attempt by the Falcons was blocked to set up the game-winning Dolphins drive. Uwe Von Schamann kicked a game-winning 27-yard field goal with only 32 ticks left on the clock.

SCORING:

• MIA - FG Von Schamann 28
• ATL - Jackson 6-yard pass from Bartkowski (Mazzetti kick)
• ATL - Miller 7-yard pass from Bartkowski (Mazzetti kick)
• ATL - FG Mazzetti 37
• MIA - Hardy 1-yard pass from Griese (Von Schamann kick)
• MIA - Lee 4-yard pass from Griese (Von Schamann kick)
• MIA - FG Von Schamann 27

BOXSCORE:

Rushing

• Falcons - Andrews 6 for 21, Cain 9 for 20, Mayberry, 2 for 7, Bartkowski 3 for 3, Miller 1 for -2.
• Dolphins - Williams 20 for 40, Howell 9 for 12, Giaquinto 1 for 5, Nathan 1 for 3.

Passing

• Falcons - Bartkowski 18 of 36 for 332, 2 TD
• Dolphins - Strock 10 of 21 for 75, 0 TD, 1 INT; Griese 10 of 14 for 140, 2 TD; Moore 0 for 1.

Receiving

• Falcons - Jenkins 4 for 136, Francis 3 for 75, Miller 3 for 58, Cain 3 for 27, Andrews 3 for 23, Jackson 2 for 13.
• Dolphins - Harris 4 for 56, Williams 4 for 32, Hardy 4 for 25, Moore 2 for 50, Giaquinto 2 for 37, Nathan 2 for 10, Lee 1 for 4, Howell 1 for 1.