1979 Atlanta Falcons season

The 1979 Atlanta Falcons season was the Falcons' 14th season. The Falcons were trying to improve upon their 9–7 record in 1978 and make it to the playoffs for the second time in team history, their first appearance being the year before. Rookie fullback William Andrews rushed for 167 yards in a 40–34 overtime win over the Saints in the season opener in New Orleans. Andrews set a team record with 1,023 yards, while quarterback Steve Bartkowski became the first Falcon to surpass the 2,000-yard mark with 2,505. However, the Falcons' defense allowed 388 points and the team finished 6–10.

1979 Atlanta Falcons season
OwnerRankin M. Smith Sr.
General managerEddie LeBaron
Head coachLeeman Bennett
Home fieldFulton County Stadium
Results
Record6–10
Division place3rd NFC West
Playoff finishDid not qualify

Offseason

NFL Draft
Main article: 1979 NFL Draft
1979 Atlanta Falcons draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 17 Don Smith  Defensive tackle Miami (FL)
2 49 Pat Howell  Guard USC
3 75 James Mayberry  Running back Colorado
3 79 William Andrews *  Running back Auburn
4 100 Lynn Cain  Running back USC
4 101 Charles Johnson  Defensive back Grambling State
5 127 Mike Zele  Nose tackle Kent State
6 154 Mike Moroski  Quarterback UC Davis
7 186 Roger Westlund  Offensive tackle Washington
8 212 Keith Miller  Linebacker Northeastern State
9 239 Dave Parkin  Defensive back Utah State
10 266 Bruce Beekley  Linebacker Oregon
11 292 Bill Leer  Center Colorado State
12 323 Stuart Walker  Linebacker Colorado
      Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

[1]

Undrafted free agents
1979 Undrafted Free Agents of note
Player Position College
Putt Choate Linebacker SMU

Personnel

Staff
1979 Atlanta Falcons staff
Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

 Defensive coaches



Roster
1979 Atlanta Falcons final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists
  • 21 Lynn Cain RB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 48 Putt Choate LB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 26 Mike Esposito RB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 88 Lewis Gilbert TE (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • -- Don Lukas WR (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 75 Jeff Merrow DE (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 25 Ray Strong RB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 83 James Wright TE (IRTooltip Injured reserve)


Rookies in italics

Regular season

Schedule
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 September 2 at New Orleans Saints W 40–34 1–0 Louisiana Superdome 70,940
2 September 10 at Philadelphia Eagles W 14–10 2–0 Veterans Stadium 66,935
3 September 16 Denver Broncos L 17–20 2–1 Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium 57,677
4 September 23 at Detroit Lions L 23–24 2–2 Pontiac Silverdome 56,249
5 September 30 Washington Redskins L 7–16 2–3 Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium 56,819
6 October 7 Green Bay Packers W 25–7 3–3 Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium 56,184
7 October 14 at Oakland Raiders L 19–50 3–4 Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 52,900
8 October 21 at San Francisco 49ers L 15–20 3–5 Candlestick Park 33,952
9 October 29 Seattle Seahawks L 28–31 3–6 Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium 52,566
10 November 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 17–14 4–6 Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium 55,150
11 November 11 at New York Giants L 3–24 4–7 Giants Stadium 60,860
12 November 19 at Los Angeles Rams L 14–20 4–8 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum 54,097
13 November 25 New Orleans Saints L 6–37 4–9 Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium 42,815
14 December 2 at San Diego Chargers W 28–26 5–9 San Diego Stadium 50,198
15 December 9 Los Angeles Rams L 13–34 5–10 Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium 49,236
16 December 16 San Francisco 49ers W 31–21 6–10 Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium 37,211
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Standings
NFC West
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
Los Angeles Rams(3) 9 7 0 .563 5–1 7–5 323 309 L1
New Orleans Saints 8 8 0 .500 4–2 8–4 370 360 W1
Atlanta Falcons 6 10 0 .375 2–4 5–7 300 388 W1
San Francisco 49ers 2 14 0 .125 1–5 2–10 308 416 L1

References
  1. "1979 Atlanta Falcons draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 22, 2014.


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