NFL Recap (San Francisco-Atlanta)
Posted: Sun November 15, 1998 at 9:15 p.m. EST
ATLANTA 31, SAN FRANCISCO 19
ATLANTA (Ticker) -- The Atlanta Falcons are now
first-class citizens in the NFC West.
After being told by coach Dan Reeves they would always be second-class
citizens until they beat San Francisco, the Falcons rode the running of Jamal Anderson and an
aggressive defense to a 31-19 victory over the 49ers before a sellout crowd
of 69,828 at the Georgia Dome.
Atlanta (8-2) snapped a five-game losing streak against San Francisco
(7-3) and moved into sole possession of first place in the NFC West, one
game ahead of the Niners. The last time the Falcons were alone in first
place this late in the season was back in 1980, when they won the only
division title in the franchise's 33-year history.
In contrast, the 49ers have won 13 of the last 17 NFC West titles.
"I'm really proud of our team," said Reeves. "It was exciting with
this crowd here today. The difference between winning and losing in this
league is so small and they can be the difference."
Anderson rushed for 100 yards and two scores and the Falcons sacked Steve Young four times and
forced two turnovers. Cornerback Ray Buchanan returned an
interception 34 yards to set up a one-yard touchdown run by Anderson and
linebacker Jessie Tuggle
scored on a one-yard fumble return after Young was sacked by defensive
tackle Shane Dronett
early in the fourth quarter.
After Tuggle's score opened a 24-6 lead for the Falcons, the 49ers
rallied with two long touchdown catches by Terrell Owens and Jerry Rice. Young hit
Owens with a 53-yard score and then connected with Rice on a 65-yard bomb
down the right sideline to pull the Niners within 24-19 with 3:09
remaining.
But while San Francisco expected the Falcons to attempt to run out the
clock with Anderson, Atlanta pulled a surprise by attempting a long pass.
With rookie cornerback R.W.
McQuarters isolated on receiver Terance Mathis, quarterback
Chris Chandler lofted a
pass down the left sideline and connected with Mathis on a 78-yard
touchdown to give Atlanta a 31-19 lead with 2:56 left.
"The guy (McQuarters) came up to bump Terance and I just decided to
take a shot," said Chandler. "It was a high percentage pass. Terance just
ran a great route and made a great catch."
It was the first catch of the game for Mathis, who entered the day
with 40 catches for 611 yards.
"Somebody had to make a big play. Fortunately, it was me," said
Mathis of the touchdown.
Rice, a renowned Falcon-killer, finished with 10 catches for 169
yards. He had eight receptions for 162 yards and two touchdowns in the
Niners' 31-20 win over the Falcons in Week Four. In 25 games against
Atlanta, Rice has 158 catches for 2,500 yards and 29 touchdowns, the most
he has against any team.
Young, who missed last week's game against Carolina with an abdominal
strain, completed 21-of-40 passes for 342 yards and two touchdowns with an
interception that led to an Atlanta score.
"Atlanta defensed us very well, almost to the point of frustration,"
said Young. "I had a lack of patience. You have to give them credit. We
had opportunities."
Anderson, who was the workhorse with 31 carries, recorded his seventh
100-yard game of the season and cracked the 1,000-yard barrier (1,066
yards) for the third straight year. He is second in the NFL with 11
touchdowns, including 10 on the ground.
Chandler completed 12-of-21 passes for 198 yards.
Anderson's 10-yard touchdown run capped a seven-play, 80-yard drive
and gave the Falcons a 7-0 lead with 2:56 left in the half. He broke a
tackle at the line of scrimmage, and then rode safety Merton Hanks for the final
four yards before hitting the end zone.
The Niners then drove 75 yards, but had to settle for a 24-yard field
goal by Wade Richey after Rice dropped an apparent touchdown pass in the
end zone.
"I had the opportunity, but I didn't make the play," said Rice. "I am
taking the blame for that."
Richey kicked a 28-yard field goal four minutes into the third quarter
to pull the Niners within 7-6. But Morten Andersen kicked a
37-yard field goal with 54 seconds left in the quarter for Atlanta.
The Falcons defense then forced Young to commit two turnovers which
enabled Atlanta to score two touchdowns in a span of 56 seconds. Buchanan
intercepted a floating pass by Young at the San Francisco 35-yard line and
returned it 34 yards to the 1. Three plays later, Anderson scored from a
yard out four seconds into the fourth quarter to give Atlanta a 17-6 lead.
After the ensuing kickoff, Young was sacked by Dronett, who jarred the
ball loose. Niners tackle Derrick Deese and Falcons
end Chuck Smith chased
the fumble, but stumbled to the turf as Tuggle recovered at the 1 and
scored for his fifth career touchdown. He is the all-time NFL leader with
five fumble returns for touchdowns.
"I saw the ball come loose and I was charging it all the way," said
Tuggle. "Chuck Smith had a chance to pick it up. It was lying right there
at this back. I took the ball and rolled up into the end zone."
It was the fifth defensive touchdown of the season for the Falcons.
"The Falcons are a good football team, we knew that coming in here,"
said Niners coach Steve Mariucci. "They capitalized on a couple of
turnovers. Even though we have a team that can come back from a deficit,
we need to get out front instead of play catchup all the time.
The Niners quickly retaliated when Owens caught a low pass in the
middle of the field and scored on a 54-yard play with 11:16 left in the
fourth quarter. But Young was pushed out of bounds by Tuggle attempting to
score on a two-point conversion.
San Francisco pulled within 24-19 when Young hit Rice with a 65-yard
TD with 3:09 left.
© 1998 Sportsticker Enterprises, LP
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