1970s
| A Passing Feat Sept. 27, 1970 |
In Week Two at Green Bay, QB Bob Berry sets club records with the Franchise's first 300-yard passing game (28-44 for 302), but Packers rally for 27-24 win. |
| Cannonball Explodes Oct. 4, 1970 |
Jim "Cannonball" Butler, just one week after Berry's passing record, sets a new club rushing record in the home opener against the 49ers. The seven-year veteran set two club records that day. One was for most yards (127 on 17 carries), the other was for most fumbles (4). |
| National TV! Nov. 30, 1970 |
Over 30 million Monday Night TV viewers saw their first game from Atlanta as the Miami Dolphins came to town with ABC-TV. Larry Csonka (108) and Mercury Morris (76) ran away with a 20-7 Miami victory. |
| A Hall of Famer Feb. 23, 1971 |
Coach Norm Van Brocklin is elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. |
| Catch This Act Oct. 3 and Dec. 19, 1971 |
Rookie sensation Ken Burrow made more yardage receiving in one game than any NFC receiver, and he wrote his name in the club record book TWICE. He had 190 yards at Detroit and duplicated that feat at New Orleans. All of this was done playing the final 11 games with a broken wrist. |
| A Winning Season Dec. 19, 1971 |
In dramatic fashion with 40 seconds left, the Falcons score to beat New Orleans, 24-20, to finish the season at 7-6-1, thus giving them the first winning season in club history. |
| A Coast to Coast Win Nov. 22, 1971 |
Falcons win their first Nationally televised game with a 28-21 triumph over Green Bay in Atlanta. Atlanta had 77 plays to the Packers 33, outgaining them 386-143, as Monday Night TV televised the action. |
| A Jinx Is Ended With 1-2 Punch Oct. 1, 1972 |
After 10 unsuccessful tries, Falcons finally defeat the L.A. Rams, in humiliating fashion, 31-3 at Atlanta Stadium. Hampton and Art Malone set a club record by each running for over 100 yards (161 Hampton and 103 Malone). |
| "Unofficial" 1,000 Dec. 17, 1972 |
Dave Hampton technically was the club's first 1,000- yard rusher. At Kansas City, the veteran running back scampered around end for his 1,000th yard. However, his next carry was a six-yard loss and his final carry a one-yard gain. Thus, he ended at 995, never officially getting his name in the Falcon record book. |
| Lighting Up Scoreboard Sept. 16, 1973 |
Opening against New Orleans, Falcons smash 35 team records en route to 62-7 victory. |
| Monday Night Madness Nov. 19, 1973 |
Unbeaten Vikings (9-0) come to town to face surging Falcons (five in a row) before national audience. No Falcon fan is disappointed as club responds to challenge with 20-14 win for 6th straight. |
| "Hard-Luck" Hampton and Falcons 1973 Season |
After missing by five yards for a 1,000-yard season in 1972, Dave Hampton comes even closer in 1973. Needing 87 yards in the finale, he gets just 84 and finishes three yards shy of the magic number. The Falcons are equally close, finishing 9-5 for their most wins and best record ever, but losing out for the playoffs by one game. |
| Trading for the Future Jan. 27, 1975 |
In order to obtain the rights to the number one pick in the college draft, the Falcons send offensive tackle George Kunz and a draft choice to Baltimore. Falcons also got a 6th round pick (and took LB Fulton Kuykendall). |
| The Future is Here Jan. 28, 1975 |
With that top choice, the Falcons select all-America QB Steve Bartkowski from California. |
| Hooray for Hampton Dec. 21, 1975 |
Running Back Dave Hampton becomes first Falcon to gain 1,000 yards rushing (1,002) with 61 in final game vs. Green Bay. |
| Front Office Moves Feb. 1-3, 1977 |
Former NFL quarterback Eddie LeBaron is named General Manager, with Rankin M. Smith, Jr. assuming the title of Club President. Two days later, Leeman Bennett, a Rams assistant becomes fifth Head Coach in club history. |
| Zero Hour Nov. 27, 1977 |
In shutout of Bucs, Falcons set club record by allowing just 78 total yards. It is also the second 0 performance by the defense on the season, also a club first. |
| NFL Record! 1977 Defense |
With 35-7 final win over Saints, Falcons establish new NFL modern day record for 14-game season by allowing just 129 points all year as club finishes 7-7. |
| June Jones, Gritz Blitz Go National Oct. 30, 1978 |
In their first national TV game in four years, the Falcons lose Bartkowski in 2nd quarter. Enter June Jones, kicker Tim Mazzetti's five field goals, and the hard hitting Gritz Blitz defense and you have a 15-7 Rams upset. |
| "Big Ben Right" Nov. 12, 1978 |
With 2:23 remaining the Falcons were trailing 17-6 at their own 20-yard line. An 80-yard march made it 17-13 with 59 seconds left. With 19 seconds left, Bartkowski threw 57 yards into a cluster where Alfred Jackson caught a pass deflected by Wallace Francis and the Falcons clock struck victory. |
| Clinching a Play off Berth the Easy Way Dec. 15, 1978 |
When Redskins lose to Bears, Falcons are ensured their first Playoff berth. The next day, L.A. beat Green Bay to give the Falcons a home field game. |
| Dealing the Wild Card Dec. 24, 1978 |
With two TD's in the final eight minutes, the Falcons overcame the rainy weather to win their Playoff game over the Eagles, 14-13. The Christmas Eve present to the fans was not complete until the Eagles missed a 34-yard FG in the final seconds. Merry Christmas! |
| Valiant Underdogs Dec. 30, 1978 |
As 14-point underdogs in Texas Stadium, the Falcons came ready to win. They jumped out to a 20-13 halftime lead and knocked QB Roger Staubach unconscious just before the half. The home-team Cowboys regained the lead 27-20 as the Falcons marched for a tying score. With 4th-and-1 at the Cowboy 32, the Falcons came up inches short and never got the ball back. |
| William Who? Sept. 2, 1979 |
Third-round draft choice William Andrews made his NFL debut memorable with a club- record 167 yard effort in a 40-34 overtime win at the Superdome. Each team gained over 500 yards offense before Falcons won with special teams interception TD. |
| Adding Up The Totals Dec. 16, 1979 |
Records were broken for the season by William Andrews with 1,023 yards, by Wallace Francis with 74 catches for 1,013 yards and by Steve Bartkowski with 2,502 yards (203-379). |
