The 49ers (12-1) travel to Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium for a 1:00 PM ET kickoff against the Atlanta Falcons (4-9) on Sun December 2, 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 4-9 and eliminated from postseason contention. The 49ers continue their late-season road trip.[1][2][3]
The Falcons at 4-9 have been the NFC West's disappointment after finishing 7-9 in 1983. Bartkowski and Andrews remain the skill position anchor but the surrounding cast has not translated. The 49ers come in with the best record in the NFC and need the road win to stay ahead of the Cowboys.
Montana threw two interceptions in this game — the count goes to ten for the year. But the offense produced 165 yards passing and two touchdowns and the run game added 143. The 49ers win 35-17 without being pushed.
Week fourteen is the December road trip. The 49ers (12-1) have clinched the NFC West and are the conference's top seed. The Falcons (4-9) have been eliminated. The Bears (10-3) are the NFC's other strong team. The Dolphins (13-0) are the AFC's perfect squad. The 49ers' late-season road game in Atlanta is about maintaining momentum before the Rams rematch at home.
Through thirteen games the 49ers are 12-1 with a plus 194 differential. The Falcons are 4-9 with a minus 47. Bartkowski is 185 of 313, 2,578 yards, 18 touchdowns, 14 interceptions. Andrews has 213 carries for 945 yards. Montana is 255 of 406, 3,349 yards, 25 TDs, eight INTs on the year. Tyler has 763 rushing yards through 13 games.
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 7-6 | W1 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 5-8 | W1 |
| Cleveland Browns | 4-9 | W2 |
| Houston Oilers | 2-11 | L1 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Miami Dolphins | 12-1 | W1 |
| New England Patriots | 8-5 | L1 |
| New York Jets | 6-7 | L5 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 4-9 | L2 |
| Buffalo Bills | 1-12 | L1 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Denver Broncos | 11-2 | L1 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 11-2 | W7 |
| Los Angeles Raiders | 9-4 | W2 |
| San Diego Chargers | 6-7 | L1 |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 5-8 | L4 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco 49ers | 12-1 | W6 |
| Los Angeles Rams | 8-5 | W1 |
| New Orleans Saints | 6-7 | L1 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 3-10 | L7 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | 9-4 | W2 |
| Green Bay Packers | 5-8 | L1 |
| Detroit Lions | 4-8-1 | W1 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 4-9 | L2 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 3-10 | L3 |
| Team | Rec | Strk |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | 8-5 | W1 |
| New York Giants | 8-5 | W2 |
| Washington Redskins | 8-5 | W1 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 7-6 | W1 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 5-7-1 | L1 |
Reveal each quarter as you watch, the next quarter stays hidden until you tap it.
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Falcons | Mick Luckhurst 32 yard field goal | 0-3 |
| 49ers | Freddie Solomon 64 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick) | 7-3 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 49ers | Dwight Clark 6 yard pass from Joe Montana (Ray Wersching kick) | 14-3 |
| Falcons | Gerald Riggs 2 yard rush (Mick Luckhurst kick) | 14-10 |
| 49ers | Gary Johnson 34 yard defensive fumble return (Ray Wersching kick) | 21-10 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Falcons | Alfred Jackson 48 yard pass from Mike Moroski (Mick Luckhurst kick) | 21-17 |
| 49ers | Dana McLemore 54 yard interception return (Ray Wersching kick) | 28-17 |
| Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 49ers | Roger Craig 5 yard rush (Ray Wersching kick) | 35-17 |
Joe Montana threw two touchdown passes and the 49ers beat the Atlanta Falcons 35-17 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. Montana finished 12 of 24 for 165 yards with two interceptions. Roger Craig rushed for 90 yards and a score. Wendell Tyler added 53 yards. The 49ers' defense intercepted Bartkowski three times. The 49ers improved to 13-1.[1][2][3]
The 49ers won 35-17 in Atlanta with Montana's two-touchdown, two-interception game and a ground game producing 143 yards. Craig's 90-yard rushing day and the defense's three interceptions of Bartkowski provided the balance.
Montana's 12-of-24 day was his lowest completion total in weeks but the two touchdowns and the defense's dominance made the line irrelevant. Bartkowski went 22 of 43 for 289 yards and one touchdown against three interceptions. Andrews ran for 90 yards.
The 49ers scored on their first three possessions and the game's outcome was clear by halftime. The Falcons' 17 points reflected intermittent good drives against a defense that was not fully extended. The 35-17 road win put the 49ers at 13-1 with three home games remaining.
49ers 35, Falcons 17. Margin: plus 18. Record: 13-1.
A 35-17 road win in Atlanta. The 49ers move to 13-1 with three home games left.
How it unfolded
The 49ers scored touchdowns on each of their first three possessions. Two Montana touchdown passes in the first half built a 28-7 lead. Craig's rushing touchdown in the fourth closed it at 35-17 after Atlanta scored twice in the third.
The turning point
The 49ers' defense intercepting Bartkowski three times. Each interception erased a potential Falcons scoring drive. With Montana's completion percentage down, the defense's three turnovers carried the result.
By the numbers
Montana 12 of 24 at 6.9 per attempt, two touchdowns, two interceptions. Craig 90 on 18 carries, the run game's backbone. Bartkowski 289 yards but three interceptions negated the yardage. The Falcons scored 17 but the 49ers were never threatened.
What it means
13-1 heading home for the Minnesota blowout. The late-season road wins confirm the 49ers can win any game without requiring a perfect Montana performance.
| SF | Opp | |
|---|---|---|
| Team totals | ||
| First Downs | 15 | 23 |
| Total Yards | 290 | 414 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 6 |
| Passing | ||
| Comp/Att | 12/24 | 22/43 |
| Pass yards | 165 | 289 |
| Pass TD | 2 | 1 |
| Interceptions | 2 | 3 |
| Sacks taken | 2 | 3 |
| Sack yards lost | 18 | 28 |
| Net pass yards | 147 | 261 |
| Rushing | ||
| Rushes | 31 | 36 |
| Rush yards | 143 | 153 |
| Rush TD | 1 | 1 |
| Discipline | ||
| Fumbles | 1 | 3 |
| Fumbles lost | 1 | 3 |
| Penalties | 9 | 8 |
| Penalty yards | 73 | 50 |
| Player | C/A | Yds | TD | Int | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | |||||
| Joe Montana #16 | 12/24 | 165 | 2 | 2 | 65.5 |
| ATL | |||||
| Mike Moroski | 22/43 | 289 | 1 | 3 | 51.4 |
| Player | Att | Yds | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | ||||
| Wendell Tyler #26 | 15 | 69 | 0 | 11 |
| Roger Craig #33 | 8 | 36 | 1 | 13 |
| Freddie Solomon #88 | 2 | 20 | 0 | 20 |
| Bill Ring #39 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 5 |
| Joe Montana #16 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| Derrick Harmon | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| ATL | ||||
| Gerald Riggs | 30 | 133 | 1 | 19 |
| Mike Moroski | 4 | 19 | 0 | 17 |
| Lynn Cain | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Player | Rec | Yds | TD | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFO | ||||
| Freddie Solomon #88 | 1 | 64 | 1 | 64 |
| Earl Cooper #49 | 4 | 51 | 0 | 26 |
| Roger Craig #33 | 4 | 42 | 0 | 22 |
| Dwight Clark #87 | 2 | 12 | 1 | 6 |
| Bill Ring #39 | 1 | -4 | 0 | -4 |
| ATL | ||||
| Alfred Jackson | 11 | 193 | 1 | 48 |
| Gerald Riggs | 3 | 35 | 0 | 14 |
| Stacey Bailey | 3 | 28 | 0 | 14 |
| Arthur Cox | 3 | 22 | 0 | 8 |
| Cliff Benson | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| Floyd Hodge | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
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Find the thread Start the threadCanonical title: [Rewatch Party] 1984 W14 - 49ers at Atlanta Falcons - Game Thread