Games 7 - 9

GAMES 7 - 9

• The regular starting lineups for the 1980 team

Junior Miller caught two of Steve Bartkowski's record four touchdown passes

Atlanta 41, New Orleans 14

(Louisiana Superdome - 62,651)

There was no toe-stubbing on this day as Atlanta overcame an early first-half deficit to win going away, 41-14. Linebacker Joel Williams ignited the victory with a sack and two pass interceptions in the third quarter. Quarterback Steve Bartkowski wrote another chapter in the club record book, tying Randy Johnson's 12-year-old record of most touchdown passes in a single game with four. Tight end Junior Miller grabbed two of Bart's touchdowns, Wallace Francis a third, and Alfred Jenkins the fourth when he hauled in a 49-yard bomb to open the 21-point Atlanta third quarter. The Falcons rush defense again proved devastating, limiting the Saints to only 36 yards - a Falcons club record for fewest rushing yards allowed in a game. The defense shut out the Saints in the second half as the Falcons emerged victorious for the third consecutive year in the Superdome.

SCORING:

• NO - Chandler 18-yard pass from Manning (Ricardo kick)
• ATL - Miller 11-yard pass from Bartkowski (Mazzetti kick)
• NO - Galbreath 15-yard pass from Manning (Ricardo kick)
• ATL - Francis 24-yard pass from Bartkowski (kick failed)
• ATL - Jenkins 49-yard pass from Bartkowski (Mazzetti kick)
• ATL - Cain 1-yard run (Mazzetti kick)
• ATL - Miller 3-yard pass from Bartkowski (Mazzetti kick)
• ATL - Andrews 13-yard run (Mazzetti kick)

BOXSCORE:

Rushing

• Falcons - Andrews 14 for 64, Mayberry 7 for 55, Cain 17 for 45, Strong 1 for 3, Anderson 2 for -4
• Saints - Rogers 4 for 21, Strachan 8 for 10, Holmes 4 for 3, Mauti 1 for 2

Passing

• Falcons - Bartkowski 16 of 28 for 202, 4 TD, 0 INT
• Saints - Manning 23 of 32 for 323, 2 TD, 3 INT

Receiving

• Falcons - Francis 5 for 63, Jenkins 4 for 87, Miller 3 for 22, Andrews 2 for 18, Cain 2 for 12
• Saints - Chandler 8 for 140, Rogers 4 for 33, Galbreath 4 for 28, Holmes 3 for 13, Williams 2 for 62, Hardy 1 for 37, Harris 1 for 10

Linebacker Joel Williams recorded three of the six Falcons sacks

Atlanta 13, Los Angeles 10

(Atlanta Fulton County Stadium - 57,401)

Facing third-and-38 and trailing 10-6 with only 1:40 remaining, the Falcons appeared beaten in this pivotal game before exploding with a dramatic finish that turned the season around. Steve Bartkowski hit Alfred Jackson for 27 of the 38 yards and then lofted a fourth-and-11 54-yard touchdown bomb to Jackson for a game-winning score. The win left the Falcons in a first-place tie with the Rams at midseason. Jackson also scored the Falcons' first touchdown on a seven-yard pass reception. In between Jackson's two touchdowns, the Falcons exhibited some of the finest football of this magical season as William Andrews gained 111 yards against the stingy Rams rushing defense. Linebacker Joel Williams was brilliant for the second straight week, sacking Rams quarterback Vince Ferragamo three times; the Falcons defense sacked Ferragamo six times on the day. Rookie linebacker Al Richardson also recorded a pass interception to begin a turnover streak that would not end until these two teams met in the final game of the season.

SCORING:

• ATL - Jackson 7-yard pass from Bartkowski
• LA - FG Corral 23
• LA - Hill 74-yard pass from Ferragamo (Corral kick)
• ATL - Jackson 54-yard pass from Bartkowski (Mazzetti kick)

BOXSCORE:

Rushing

• Falcons - Andrews 20 for 111, Cain 8 for 8, Mayberry 1 for 2
• Rams - Bryant 13 for 70, Peacock 14 for 45, Ferragamo 1 for 3

Passing

• Falcons - Bartkowski 12 of 22 for 209, 2 TD, 2 INT
• Rams - Ferragamo 18 of 36 for 253, 1 TD, 2 INT

Receiving

• Falcons - Jackson 3 for 88, Francis 3 for 59, Andrews 2 for 22, Jenkins 2 for 22, Cain 1 for 9, Miller 1 for 9
• Rams - Peacock 5 for 16, Hill 3 for 117, Miller 3 for 48, Dennard 2 for 31, Waddy 2 for 24, Bryant 2 for 6, Arnold 1 for 11

Safety Tom Pridemore's crucial interception on the one-yard line preserved a second-half shutout

Atlanta 30, Buffalo 14

(Rich Stadium - 57,959)

Two big plays late in the first half brought the Falcons back into contention after the Bills jumped to a 14-0 lead in this meeting of division leaders. The first big play saw Mike Zele block a 37-yard field goal attempt that would have increased the Bills lead to 17-0. The Falcons recovered the block and marched down the field to set up Tim Mazzetti's 28-yard field goal. After the kickoff, Al Richardson intercepted a Buffalo pass and returned it to the Bills' 16-yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, Steve Bartkowski hit tight end Junior Miller for a score, cutting the Bills lead to 14-10. The second half belonged to the Falcons as the defense clamped down and shut out the Bills. Tom Pridemore helped keep Buffalo out of the end zone with an interception on the Falcons' one-yard line. Lynn Cain scored both Falcon touchdowns in the second half, while Tim Mazzetti tacked on field goals of 44 and 50 yards - his career best and the second longest in Falcons history.

SCORING:

• BUF - Lewis 11-yard pass from Ferguson (Mike-Mayer kick)
• BUF - Cribbs 13-yard run (Mike-Mayer kick)
• ATL - FG Mazzetti 28
• ATL - Miller 16-yard pass from Bartkowski (Mazzetti kick)
• ATL - Cain 1-yard run (Mazzetti kick)
• ATL - FG Mazzetti 50
• ATL - FG Mazzetti 44
• ATL - Cain 1-yard run (Mazzetti kick)

BOXSCORE:

Rushing

• Falcons - Andrews 20 for 87, Cain 18 for 59, Bartkowski 4 for 4
• Bills - Brown 7 for 39, Cribbs 16 for 31, Butler 1 for 18, Leaks 1 for 2, Hooks 1 for 2, Ferguson 3 for 2

Passing

• Falcons - Bartkowski 13 of 24 for 193, 1 TD, 3 INT
• Bills - Ferguson 20 of 37 for 270, 1 TD, 3 INT

Receiving

• Falcons - Jenkins 4 for 79, Francis 3 for 44, Andrews 2 for 30, Cain 2 for 18, Miller 1 for 16, Jackson 1 for 6
• Bills - Butler 9 for 122, Lewis 4 for 68, Cribbs 3 for 27, Jessie 1 for 20, Ferguson 1 for 14, Brown 1 for 10, Gant 1 for 9