The 49ers (7-4) travel to Fulton County Stadium for a 1:00 PM ET kickoff against the Atlanta Falcons (7-4) on Sun November 20, 1983.
Joe Montana continues after the shutout performance at home. Wendell Tyler at running back. The Falcons start Steve Bartkowski with William Andrews in the backfield. Billy Johnson is the wide receiver to watch.
Both teams are 7-4 and fighting for the NFC West lead with the Rams close behind.[1][2][3]
Both teams are 7-4 in a three-way division race. The 49ers need this game to hold the lead. The Falcons need it to take the lead outright. Billy Johnson is Bartkowski's deep threat; if he gets behind the secondary the Falcons can take over before halftime.
The 49ers' Week 11 shutout restored the defense's confidence. Fulton County in November is a strong home-field environment. The 49ers have been inconsistent on the road in losing efforts this year.
Week twelve is a critical NFC West Sunday with all three division leaders playing. The 49ers (7-4), Falcons (7-4), and Rams (6-4) are within a game. The Redskins (10-2) have clinched the NFC East. The Cowboys are still in contention. In the AFC, the Dolphins remain perfect. The 49ers-Falcons game at Fulton County Stadium is the day's most important NFC West matchup.
Through eleven games the 49ers are 7-4 with a plus 87 differential. The Falcons are 7-4 with a plus 42. Bartkowski is 147 of 234, 1,960 yards, 13 touchdowns, eight interceptions. Andrews has 178 carries for 805 yards. Montana is 229 of 351, 2,605 yards, 20 TDs, eight INTs on the year. The 49ers have won three straight.
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 9-2 | W7 |
| Cleveland Browns | 6-5 | W1 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 4-7 | L1 |
| Houston Oilers | 1-10 | W1 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Bills | 7-4 | W1 |
| Miami Dolphins | 7-4 | L1 |
| Baltimore Colts | 6-5 | L1 |
| New England Patriots | 6-5 | W2 |
| New York Jets | 4-7 | L2 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Raiders | 8-3 | W2 |
| Denver Broncos | 6-5 | L2 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 6-5 | L1 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 5-6 | W1 |
| San Diego Chargers | 4-7 | W1 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | 7-4 | W2 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 7-4 | W1 |
| New Orleans Saints | 6-5 | L1 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 4-7 | L2 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Green Bay Packers | 6-5 | W2 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 6-5 | L3 |
| Detroit Lions | 5-6 | L1 |
| Chicago Bears | 4-7 | W1 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1-10 | L1 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | 9-2 | L1 |
| Washington Redskins | 9-2 | W4 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 4-6-1 | W1 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 4-7 | L5 |
| New York Giants | 2-8-1 | L3 |
Reveal each quarter as you watch, the next quarter stays hidden until you tap it.
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 49ers | Roger Craig 6 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick) | 7-0 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 49ers | Wendell Tyler 8 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick) | 14-0 |
| Falcons | Stacey Bailey 18 yard pass from Steve Bartkowski (Mick Luckhurst kick) | 14-7 |
| Falcons | Blane Gaison 64 yard defensive fumble return (Mick Luckhurst kick) | 14-14 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 49ers | Ray Wersching 25 yard field goal | 17-14 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Falcons | Gerald Riggs 40 yard rush (Mick Luckhurst kick) | 17-21 |
| 49ers | Joe Montana 11 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick) | 24-21 |
| Falcons | Billy Johnson 47 yard pass from Steve Bartkowski (Mick Luckhurst kick) | 24-28 |
Steve Bartkowski threw a 47-yard touchdown to Billy Johnson in the fourth quarter and the Atlanta Falcons beat the 49ers 28-24 at Fulton County Stadium. Joe Montana finished 21 of 28 for 182 yards and one touchdown. Mike Wilson caught four for 50 yards. Wendell Tyler rushed 15 times for 55 yards. The 49ers fell to 7-5 and out of sole possession of the NFC West lead.[1][2][3]
The 49ers led 24-21 in the fourth quarter but Bartkowski's 47-yard touchdown pass to Billy Johnson turned the game. Final 28-24 in Atlanta, the second consecutive road defeat in four weeks.
Montana threw for 182 yards on 28 attempts — an efficient completion percentage game that was undone by the Falcons' secondary making one big play at the end. Wilson's four catches for 50 yards led the 49ers' receivers; Tyler ran 15 times for 55 yards without finding the big cutback lane.
Bartkowski threw for 260 yards and two touchdowns. Andrews ran 24 times for 90 yards and a score. Johnson's 47-yard touchdown was his only target in the second half; the single play decided the game. The 49ers' defense was in position through three quarters then gave up the long ball at the worst moment.
Falcons 28, 49ers 24. Margin: minus 4. Record: 7-5.
A 28-24 road loss in Atlanta. The 49ers fall to 7-5 and drop to second in the NFC West.
How it unfolded
Both teams traded scores for three quarters. The 49ers led 24-21 entering the fourth. Bartkowski's 47-yard strike to Billy Johnson gave the Falcons a 28-24 lead with under five minutes left. The 49ers' answering drive reached midfield before stalling.
The turning point
Johnson's 47-yard touchdown. The 49ers' defense had the coverage position for three quarters. One secondary breakdown on a single play gave Atlanta the lead. Bartkowski threw the ball to the one spot where the safety was out of position.
By the numbers
Montana 21 of 28, 75% completion rate but only 182 yards — the short-route game without the deep ball. Tyler 55 on 15 carries. Bartkowski 260 total yards on limited attempts. Andrews 90 on 24 carries. The game's decisive stat: the Falcons' one big play converted.
What it means
7-5 heading to Chicago. The 49ers are now in a three-way division race with four games left. The Bears are a dangerous road opponent.
| SF | Opp | |
|---|---|---|
| Team totals | ||
| First Downs | 22 | 19 |
| Total Yards | 308 | 373 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Passing | ||
| Comp/Att | 21/28 | 28/39 |
| Pass yards | 182 | 301 |
| Pass TD | 1 | 2 |
| Interceptions | 0 | 0 |
| Sacks taken | 1 | 4 |
| Sack yards lost | 8 | 26 |
| Net pass yards | 174 | 275 |
| Rushing | ||
| Rushes | 30 | 25 |
| Rush yards | 134 | 98 |
| Rush TD | 2 | 1 |
| Discipline | ||
| Fumbles | 2 | 1 |
| Fumbles lost | 2 | 0 |
| Penalties | 3 | 8 |
| Penalty yards | 14 | 73 |
| Player | C/A | Yds | TD | Int | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | |||||
| Joe Montana #16 | 21/28 | 182 | 1 | 0 | 103.6 |
| ATL | |||||
| Steve Bartkowski | 28/39 | 301 | 2 | 0 | 111.2 |
| Player | Att | Yds | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | ||||
| Wendell Tyler #26 | 15 | 55 | 0 | 9 |
| Joe Montana #16 | 6 | 38 | 1 | 12 |
| Roger Craig #33 | 8 | 38 | 1 | 9 |
| Eason Ramson | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ATL | ||||
| Gerald Riggs | 8 | 56 | 1 | 40 |
| William Andrews | 16 | 38 | 0 | 5 |
| Steve Bartkowski | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Player | Rec | Yds | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | ||||
| Mike Wilson #85 | 4 | 50 | 0 | 19 |
| Roger Craig #33 | 5 | 49 | 0 | 15 |
| Wendell Tyler #26 | 5 | 28 | 1 | 10 |
| Dwight Clark #87 | 2 | 21 | 0 | 12 |
| Earl Cooper #49 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| Bill Ring #39 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 6 |
| Jeff Moore | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| Renaldo Nehemiah #82 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| ATL | ||||
| Billy Johnson | 6 | 104 | 1 | 47 |
| Floyd Hodge | 7 | 68 | 0 | 17 |
| William Andrews | 5 | 45 | 0 | 14 |
| Stacey Bailey | 3 | 42 | 1 | 18 |
| Gerald Riggs | 2 | 15 | 0 | 10 |
| Bo Robinson | 3 | 15 | 0 | 7 |
| Junior Miller | 2 | 12 | 0 | 9 |
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