Falcons need last-minute heroics to beat 49ers 16-14

Discussion in 'NFC South' started by truebluefan, Oct 4, 2010.

  1. truebluefan

    truebluefan Administrator Staff Member Administrator

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    "It was hard to distinguish the more unlikely sight at the Georgia Dome: A 303-pound offensive lineman sprinting 50 yards down the field to make a game-saving play, or the fact his team actually won the game.

    The Falcons were the grateful recipients of both events, using the combined hustle of wide receiver Roddy White and guard Harvey Dahl to pull out an unlikely 16-14 victory over the San Francisco 49ers Sunday before 66,874 dazed fans.

    This Atlanta team is 3-1, which came compliments of White's forced fumble and Dahl's late recovery, one player setting up the other. That led to a late drive and Matt Bryant's 43-yard field goal with two seconds left, the kicker's second game-winner in as many weeks.

    The Falcons appeared headed for certain defeat when the 49ers' Nate Clements stepped in front of a Matt Ryan pass intended for tight end Tony Gonzalez near midfield. Clements took off up the sideline with Falcons wide receiver Roddy White in pursuit.

    White dove at Clements with his right arm extended and knocked the ball out after a 39-yard chase.

    "I knew he was going to try and score," White said. "I just kept telling myself, 'Get there, just get there.'"

    Enter the lumbering Dahl into this picture. The ball bounced to him while he had to fight off about four 49ers to get control of the fumble at the Atlanta 7. He didn't let go.

    "I just kept on it," Dahl said. "I just put the G.I. Joe grip on it."

    It was a ragged game for the Falcons' offense, but it had three timeouts and 82 seconds left to move up the field and overcome a 14-13 deficit, having started from a 14-0 hole. "

    Read more: http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-falcons/falcons-need-last-minute-656822.html
     

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