Games 12 - 14

GAMES 12-14

• The regular starting lineups for the 1980 team

Steve Bartkowski threw three touchdown passes in a controversial win over the Bears

Atlanta 28, Chicago 17

(Atlanta Fulton County Stadium - 49,164)

Controversy reigned in the Falcons' 28-17 come-from-behind victory over the Chicago Bears. With the Bears leading 17-14 and driving late in the third quarter, Chicago running back Walter Payton fumbled at the Atlanta one-yard line. Payton vehemently denied the fumble and was ejected from the game. Unable to take advantage of their opportunity on the ensuing possession, the Falcons wasted little time the next time they got the ball as Steve Bartkowski lofted a 42-yard strike to Alfred Jenkins. The Falcons added another score late in the game when Bartkowski hit William Andrews on a nine-yard scoring pass. Earlier in the game, the Falcons quarterback established a new club record for touchdown passes in a season when he connected with Alfred Jenkins on a seven-yard scoring pass. Despite giving up 132 yards rushing, the Falcons defense, aided by Payton's ejection, held the Bears future Hall of Fame running back to 40 yards or less for the third consecutive time.

SCORING:

• CHI - Payton 1-yard run (Thomas kick)
• CHI - FG Thomas 41
• ATL - Jenkins 7-yard pass from Bartkowski (Mazzetti kick)
• CHI - Evans 1-yard run (Thomas kick)
• ATL - Jenkins 42-yard pass from Bartkowski (Mazzetti kick)
• ATL - Andrews 9-yard pass from Bartkowski (Mazzetti kick)

BOXSCORE:

Rushing

• Falcons - Andrews 19 for 70, Mayberry 1 for 10, Cain 5 for 6, Strong 1 for 1, Bartkowski 1 for 0
• Bears - Evans 7 for 40, Payton 12 for 40, Harper 9 for 39, Williams 2 for 9, Suhey 2 for 4, McClendon 1 for 0

Passing

• Falcons - Bartkowski 17 of 32 for 250, 3 TD, 1 INT
• Bears - Evans 19 of 33 for 184, 0 TD, 0 INT; Payton 0 of 2 for 0, 0 TD, 0 INT

Receiving

• Falcons - Miller 5 for 42, Jenkins 4 for 98, Francis 4 for 47, Cain 2 for 43, Andrews 2 for 20
• Bears - Williams 6 for 41, Scott 5 for 94, Payton 3 for 14, Fisher 2 for 21, Harper 2 for 8, Earl 1 for 6

William Andrews' 111-yard effort against the 'Skins surpassed his club record for rushing yards in a season

Atlanta 10, Washington 6

(Atlanta Fulton County Stadium - 55,665)

Despite contrasting records for the two teams, week thirteen proved no easy task for the division-leading Falcons as they edged a stubborn Washington squad, 10-6. The Redskins led most of the game on the strength of a 51-yard Mark Moseley field goal in the second quarter, but the Falcons gained the upper hand with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Bartkowski to Jenkins midway through the third quarter. A Tim Mazzetti field goal stretched the Atlanta lead, which evaporated when the Redskins scored an apparent touchdown on a fourth-quarter touchdown pass. However, the play was nullified by a penalty, and the Redskins were forced to settle for a field goal, closing out the game's scoring. Although the day belonged to the two defenses, William Andrews bulled his way for 111 yards, including a 33-yard scamper to surpass his club record of 1,023 yards in a season. For the ever-improving Falcons defense, it marked the only time during the season Atlanta held an opponent without a touchdown. The defensive effort was perfectly timed to coincide with a rare off-day for the Falcons offense.

SCORING:

• WAS - FG Moseley 51
• ATL - Jenkins 14-yard pass from Bartkowski (Mazzetti kick)
• ATL - FG Mazzetti 23
• WAS - FG Moseley 46

BOXSCORE:

Rushing

• Falcons - Andrews 24 for 111, Cain 6 for 20, Miller 1 for 0
• Redskins - Jackson 16 for 45, Harmon 8 for 26, Forte 4 for 6, Kruczek 3 for 5, Claitt 1 for 3

Passing

• Falcons - Bartkowski 14 of 32 for 219, 1 TD, 0 INT
• Redskins - Kruczek 14 of 18 for 127, 0 TD, 1 INT

Receiving

• Falcons - Jenkins 6 for 91, Jackson 3 for 63, Andrews 2 for 34, Francis 2 for 29, Cain 1 for 2
• Redskins - Monk 4 for 62, Warren 2 for 28, Jackson 2 for 1, Harmon 1 for 11, Thompson 1 for 8, Walker 1 for 8, Forte 1 for 4, Hardeman 1 for 4, Harrison 1 for 3

This 37-yard field goal by Tim Mazzetti with 12 seconds remaining in the game downed the Eagles and gave the Falcons a club-record eighth straight win

Atlanta 20, Philadelphia 17

(Veterans Stadium - 70,205)

Placekicker Tim Mazzetti returned to Philadelphia triumphantly as he kicked a game-winning 37-yard field goal against the Eagles, enabling the Falcons to set a club-record eight-game winning streak. Following a familiar script, the Falcons fell behind 14-3 before starting a comeback late in the first half with Steve Bartkowski's touchdown pass to Wallace Francis. Atlanta gained the lead in the fourth quarter when Bartkowski drove the Falcons 99 yards for another score. Philadelphia came right back, tying the score on a field goal. A series of possession exchanges had the Falcons facing the prospect of overtime, as they were backed up at their own eight-yard line with just 1:05 remaining on the clock. But the arm of Bartkowski and the legs of Andrews marched the Falcons downfield, putting Mazzetti in position for the winning kick.

SCORING:

• ATL - FG Mazzetti 26
• PHI - Carmichael 22-yard pass from Jaworski (Franklin kick)
• PHI - Spagnola 15-yard pass from Giammona (Franklin kick)
• ATL - Francis 11-yard pass from Bartkowski (Mazzetti kick)
• ATL - Cain 12-yard pass from Bartkowski (Mazzetti kick)
• PHI - FG Franklin 40
• ATL - FG Mazzetti 37

BOXSCORE:

Rushing

• Falcons - Andrews 18 for 101, Cain 9 for 72, Bartkowski 3 for 9
• Eagles - Montgomery 17 for 43, Smith 1 for 16, Harris 8 for 16, Harrington 1 for 11

Passing

• Falcons - Bartkowski 13 of 33 for 215, 2 TD, 2 INT
• Eagles- Jaworski 16 of 35 for 207, 1 TD, 2 INT; Giammona 1 for 1 for 15, 1 TD, 0 INT

Receiving

• Falcons - Jenkins 6 for 92, Francis 4 for 65, Jackson 1 for 23, Miller 1 for 23, Cain 1 for 12
• Eagles - Smith 5 for 63, Carmichael 4 for 66, Montgomery 4 for 46, Spagnola 3 for 38, Harris 1 for 9