Games 4 - 6
GAMES 4 - 6
Rookie linebacker Al Richardson, a standout at Georgia Tech, recorded the first two interceptions of his career against the 49ers
Atlanta 20, San Francisco 17
(Candlestick Park - 56,518)
The Falcons were again forced to hold on for dear life as they beat the undefeated San Francisco 49ers in a thriller, 20-17. The Falcons held a 20-3 lead in the fourth quarter, but the 49ers found new life when a missed tackle resulted in a 93-yard touchdown pass for the Niners. Another Steve DeBerg touchdown pass midway through the fourth quarter cut the Falcons lead to 20-17. Fullback William Andrews was Atlanta's dominant offensive force with 98 yards on 20 carries, while quarterback Steve Bartkowski played in his third successive game without an interception. San Francisco quarterback Steve DeBerg set new records for a quarterback opposing the Falcons, completing 32 of 51 attempts. But two of those attempts were picked off by rookie linebacker Al Richardson. The interceptions were the first of Richardson's football career, including high school and college. The former Georgia Tech star would eventually finish second in the NFC in interceptions in 1980.
SCORING:
| Atlanta | 3 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 20 |
| San Francisco | 0 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 17 |
- ATL - FG Mazzetti 40
- SF - FG Wersching 47
- ATL - FG Mazzetti 23
- ATL - Jackson 10-yard pass from Bartkowski (Mazzetti kick)
- ATL - Cain 2-yard run (Mazzetti kick)
- SF - Solomon 93-yard pass from DeBerg (Wersching kick)
- SF - Cooper 27-yard pass from DeBerg (Wersching kick)
BOXSCORE:
Rushing
- Falcons - Andrews 20 for 98, Cain 15 for 57, Bartkowski 3 for 4
- 49ers - Hofer 14 for 57, Cooper 7 for 17, Solomon 1 for 7, Montana 1 for 12
Passing
- Falcons - Bartkowski 11 of 17 for 90, 1 TD, 0 INT
- 49ers - DeBerg 30 of 42 for 395, 3 TD, 1 INT
Receiving
- Falcons - Jenkins 4 for 40, Andrews 3 for 15, Miller 2 for 26, Jackson 1 for 10, Francis 1 for -1
- 49ers - Hofer 10 for 48, Clark 6 for 64, Solomon 5 for 132, Cooper 5 for 41, Ramson 3 for 27, Owens 2 for 28, Young 1 for 5
Linebackers Buddy Curry and Joel Williams each returned fumbles for touchdowns against the Lions
Atlanta 43, Detroit 28
(Atlanta Fulton County Stadium - 57,652)
For the second consecutive week, the Falcons overcame an undefeated opponent as they used a club record-breaking 34-point first half en route to a 43-28 win over the Lions. Spearheading the big win were three defensive touchdowns in the first half as Frank Reed returned a blocked punt for a score and linebackers Buddy Curry and Joel Williams each returned fumbles for touchdowns. The defense added another score in the second half when Williams tackled quarterback Gary Danielson in the end zone for a safety. When not scoring, the defense was limiting Lions rookie running sensation Billy Sims to just 21 yards on 14 attempts.
SCORING:
| Atlanta | 17 | 17 | 2 | 7 | 43 |
| Detroit | 3 | 3 | 0 | 22 | 28 |
- DET - FG Murray 43
- ATL - Reed 16-yard blocked punt return (Mazzetti kick)
- ATL - Curry 30-yard fumble return (Mazzetti kick)
- ATL - FG Mazzetti 26
- ATL - Jenkins 43-yard pass from Bartkowski (Mazzetti kick)
- ATL - Williams 42-yard fumble return (Mazzetti kick)
- ATL - FG Mazzetti 33
- DET - FG Murray 32
- ATL - Safety, Williams tackled Danielson in end zone
- DET - Scott 43-yard pass from Danielson (Murray kick)
- ATL - Andrews 11-yard run (Mazzetti kick)
- DET - L. Thompson 79-yard pass from Danielson (Murray kick)
- DET - Scott 6-yard pass from Danielson (kick failed)
- DET - Safety, Cole tackled R. Smith in end zone
BOXSCORE:
Rushing
- Falcons - Cain 21 for 102, Andrews 13 for 78, Bartkowski 2 for 11
- Lions - Danielson 5 for 28, Sims 14 for 21, Bussey 5 for 18, King 2 for 5, Kane 1 for 0
Passing
- Falcons - Bartkowski 11 of 22 for 183, 1 TD, 0 INT
- Lions - Danielson 23 of 36 for 348, 3 TD, 0 INT
Receiving
- Falcons - Miller 4 for 54, Jenkins 3 for 66, Francis 3 for 46, Andrews 1 for 17
- Lions - Scott 5 for 107, L. Thompson 3 for 129, J. Thompson 3 for 40, Hill 3 for 29, Bussey 3 for 17, King 2 for 16, Kane 2 for 15, Sims 2 for -6
Lynn Cain managed the only score against the Jets as the Falcons fell to 3-3
New York Jets 14, Atlanta 7
(Atlanta Fulton County Stadium - 57,458)
The upset role was reversed in week six as the New York Jets, winless entering the game, amassed 190 yards rushing and scored with only 1:38 remaining to defeat the Falcons 14-7. The Jets scored on their opening possession, and their lead stood until the fourth quarter when Lynn Cain capped a drive with a one-yard scoring run. After holding the Jets on New York's next possession the Falcons appeared to have gained the upper hand when they moved the ball past midfield into Jets' territory. However, a fumble exchange on the snap between center Jeff Van Note and Steve Bartkowski set up a game-winning drive by the Jets. The late score marked the third time in three defeats that the decisive score came with less than two minutes to play. For the Falcons it was a day of lows. Bartkowski failed to throw a touchdown pass for the only game in the 1980 season. The Falcons failed to rush for 100 yards for the last time all year. Jets running back Kevin Long became only one of two rushers to reach the 100-yard plateau against the Falcons.
SCORING:
| New York | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Atlanta | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
- NYJ - Dierking 1-yard run (Leahy kick)
- ATL - Cain 1-yard run (Mazzetti kick)
- NYJ - Long 1-yard run (Leahy kick)
BOXSCORE:
Rushing
- Falcons - Cain 15 for 66, Andrews 7 for 31, Bartkowski 1 for 0
- Jets - Long 25 for 100, Dierking 12 for 38, Harper 4 for 22, Darby 1 for 15, Todd 3 for 13, Newton 1 for 2
Passing
- Falcons - Bartkowski 20 of 31 for 168, 0 TD, 0 INT; James 0 for 1
- Jets - Todd 8 of 19 for 104, 0 TD, 0 INT
Receiving
- Falcons - Andrews 7 for 56, Francis 5 for 57, Miller 4 for 16, Cain 3 for 26, Jenkins 1 for 13
- Jets - J. Jones 2 for 23, Gaffney 1 for 15, Long 1 for 4, Shuler 1 for 4, Newton 1 for 3
