The 49ers (4-0) host the Atlanta Falcons (1-3) at Candlestick Park on Sun September 30, 1984.
Joe Montana continues. Roger Craig and Wendell Tyler share the backfield. The Falcons start Steve Bartkowski at quarterback with William Andrews at running back.
Atlanta is 1-3 after losing three straight. The 49ers are the NFC's last undefeated team entering Week 5.[1][2][3]
The Falcons at 1-3 are a division rival that can't afford another loss. Bartkowski and Andrews are the same threats as 1983 but the Falcons have dropped three straight. Walsh will not ease up against a struggling divisional opponent.
Montana has four touchdowns and zero interceptions in the last two road games. The home offense at Candlestick has been efficient if not explosive. Against Atlanta's defense, exposed in three straight losses, the matchup favors the 49ers.
Week five is the early October divisional game. The 49ers lead the NFC West at 4-0. The Falcons (1-3) and Rams (2-2) are the West's other contenders. The Cowboys and Redskins lead the NFC East. The Dolphins (4-0) are the AFC's last undefeated team along with the 49ers. The 49ers' Sunday divisional home game at Candlestick is the week's NFC West highlight.
Through four games the 49ers are 4-0 with a plus 42 differential. The Falcons are 1-3 with a minus 22. Bartkowski is 73 of 124, 964 yards, six touchdowns through four games. Andrews has 83 carries for 387 yards. Montana is 70 of 125, 1,000 yards, eight touchdowns, one interception on the year. The 49ers' defense has held three opponents under 21 points.
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 2-2 | L1 |
| Cleveland Browns | 1-3 | W1 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 0-4 | L4 |
| Houston Oilers | 0-4 | L4 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Miami Dolphins | 4-0 | W4 |
| New York Jets | 3-1 | W2 |
| New England Patriots | 2-2 | L1 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 1-3 | L2 |
| Buffalo Bills | 0-4 | L4 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Raiders | 4-0 | W4 |
| Denver Broncos | 3-1 | W2 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 3-1 | W1 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 2-2 | L2 |
| San Diego Chargers | 2-2 | L1 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers | 4-0 | W4 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 2-2 | W1 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 2-2 | W1 |
| New Orleans Saints | 2-2 | W1 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | 3-1 | L1 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 2-2 | W2 |
| Detroit Lions | 1-3 | L2 |
| Green Bay Packers | 1-3 | L3 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1-3 | L1 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | 3-1 | W2 |
| New York Giants | 3-1 | W1 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 2-2 | L1 |
| Washington Redskins | 2-2 | W2 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 1-3 | L2 |
Reveal each quarter as you watch, the next quarter stays hidden until you tap it.
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Falcons | Mick Luckhurst 22 yard field goal | 3-0 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 49ers | Russ Francis 5 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick) | 3-7 |
| 49ers | Mike Wilson 21 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick) | 3-14 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| No scoring this quarter. | ||
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Falcons | Safety, Case tackled Runager in end zone | 5-14 |
Joe Montana threw two touchdown passes and the 49ers' defense limited Atlanta to five points in a 14-5 win at Candlestick Park. Montana finished 13 of 25 for 149 yards with no interceptions. The 49ers rushed 32 times for 161 yards. The Falcons' offense managed five points on a safety and a field goal and were shut out of the end zone. The 49ers improved to 5-0.[1][2][3]
The 49ers held Atlanta to five points in a 14-5 defensive win. Montana's two touchdown passes were the offense's only scores; the 49ers' run game produced 161 yards on 32 carries without reaching the end zone.
Bartkowski went 22 of 41 for 267 yards but had two interceptions. Andrews ran for 90 yards but the Falcons could not sustain scoring drives. The safety and field goal were Atlanta's complete offensive output.
The 49ers' defense was the day's decisive unit. With the offense's passing game muted to 149 yards, the defense's two interceptions and physical front-seven play produced the result. The 14-5 final was the 49ers' lowest-scoring win of the early season but it counted the same.
49ers 14, Falcons 5. Margin: plus 9. Record: 5-0.
A 14-5 home win over the Atlanta Falcons. The 49ers move to 5-0 as the NFC's last undefeated team.
How it unfolded
The 49ers scored in the first quarter on Montana's first touchdown pass. The Falcons answered with a safety. Montana's second touchdown gave the 49ers a 14-2 lead that held through the game. The Falcons added a field goal in the second quarter but were shut out of the end zone all day.
The turning point
The 49ers' defense. Bartkowski was intercepted twice and the Falcons' scoring drives stalled each time in the red zone. The front seven and secondary held a Falcons offense that had been producing 24 points per game in 1983.
By the numbers
Montana 13 of 25 for 149 yards, the year's quietest passing output, but two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Run game 32 carries for 161 yards. Bartkowski 267 yards with two interceptions for Atlanta. Andrews 90 on 23 carries.
What it means
5-0 heading to New York. The 49ers have not been scored upon for a full touchdown drive since the Washington game. The defense is the NFC's most consistent unit.
| SF | Opp | |
|---|---|---|
| Team totals | ||
| First Downs | 22 | 17 |
| Total Yards | 418 | 310 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 2 |
| Passing | ||
| Comp/Att | 22/41 | 13/25 |
| Pass yards | 267 | 149 |
| Pass TD | 0 | 2 |
| Interceptions | 2 | 0 |
| Sacks taken | 2 | 0 |
| Sack yards lost | 10 | 0 |
| Net pass yards | 257 | 149 |
| Rushing | ||
| Rushes | 35 | 32 |
| Rush yards | 161 | 161 |
| Rush TD | 0 | 0 |
| Discipline | ||
| Fumbles | 3 | 3 |
| Fumbles lost | 1 | 2 |
| Penalties | 5 | 5 |
| Penalty yards | 45 | 56 |
| Player | C/A | Yds | TD | Int | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | |||||
| Joe Montana #16 | 13/25 | 149 | 2 | 0 | 96.9 |
| ATL | |||||
| Steve Bartkowski | 22/41 | 267 | 0 | 2 | 53.6 |
| Player | Att | Yds | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | ||||
| Wendell Tyler #26 | 12 | 99 | 0 | 40 |
| Roger Craig #33 | 10 | 44 | 0 | 10 |
| Joe Montana #16 | 4 | 14 | 0 | 15 |
| Earl Cooper #49 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Bill Ring #39 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Derrick Harmon | 2 | -1 | 0 | 1 |
| Max Runager | 1 | -5 | 0 | -5 |
| ATL | ||||
| Gerald Riggs | 28 | 136 | 0 | 18 |
| Lynn Cain | 4 | 14 | 0 | 5 |
| Billy Johnson | 2 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| Ralph Giacomarro | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Player | Rec | Yds | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | ||||
| Mike Wilson #85 | 3 | 47 | 1 | 12 |
| Russ Francis #81 | 5 | 44 | 1 | 12 |
| Dwight Clark #87 | 1 | 22 | 0 | 22 |
| Freddie Solomon #88 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| Wendell Tyler #26 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Roger Craig #33 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| Earl Cooper #49 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| ATL | ||||
| Stacey Bailey | 4 | 97 | 0 | 61 |
| Billy Johnson | 5 | 73 | 0 | 17 |
| Alfred Jackson | 6 | 51 | 0 | 14 |
| Arthur Cox | 2 | 20 | 0 | 13 |
| Gerald Riggs | 3 | 15 | 0 | 7 |
| Lynn Cain | 2 | 11 | 0 | 6 |
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Find the thread Start the threadCanonical title: [Rewatch Party] 1984 W5 - 49ers vs Atlanta Falcons - Game Thread
