1998 Atlanta Falcons season

33rd season in franchise history; first Super Bowl appearance August 2023 March 2026 Atlanta Falcons 1998 14–2 1st NFC West Won Divisional Playoffs(vs. 49ers) 20–18Won NFC Championship Game(at Vikings) 30–27 (OT Overtime)Lost Super Bowl XXXIII(vs. Broncos) 19–34 Taylor Smith Dan Reeves Rich Brooks (weeks 16–17) Harold Richardson Georgia Dome QB Chris ChandlerRB Jamal AndersonLB Jessie TuggleCB Ray BuchananS Eugene Robinson Falcons seasons The 1998 Atlanta Falcons season was the franchise's 33rd in the National Football League (NFL). The Falcons qualified for the Super Bowl for the first time under the guidance of head coach Dan Reeves in his second year with the team, becoming the first dome team to play in a Super Bowl. The Falcons won their final nine regular season games to earn the #2 seed in the National Football Conference (NFC) for the postseason and the first-week bye. They also clinched their first NFC West title since 1980. They beat the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round and the #1-seed Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship Game before losing to Reeves’ old team, the Denver Broncos, 34–19 in Super Bowl XXXIII.https://www.ajc.com/sports/football/look-back-the-falcons-super-season-1998/ep4lyWluOpWEXnpWTNeLDL/ A look back at the Falcons' Super season of 1998 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Winkeljohn Matt They were a perfect 8–0 at home. Head coach Dan Reeves almost didn't make it to the end of the season. After Week 15, he was diagnosed with multiple blockages to his coronary arteries, necessitating quadruple bypass surgery. Reeves admitted he ignored the warning signs in hopes of finishing the season, but ultimately felt he needed to be checked out. Doctors stated by the time he went for treatment, he may have been “within hours of a catastrophic heart attack.”George Thomas PRO FOOTBALL; Reeves Undergoes Heart Surgery https://www.nytimes.com/1998/12/15/sports/pro-football-reeves-undergoes-heart-surgery.html New York Times 31 August 2017 December 15, 1998 Defensive coordinator Rich Brooks substituted for him as head coach during Weeks 16 and 17. Reeves returned for the playoffs and finished the season. The Falcons ranked fourth in the league in points scored (442 points) and surrendered the fourth-fewest points (289) in 1998; the Falcons also led the league in turnover differential at +20. The Falcons set a still-standing team record for point differential, with +153. Four of the Falcons' wins were by at least 22 points. Offseason NFL draft 1998 NFL draft 1998 Atlanta Falcons 1 12 Keith Brooking Linebacker Georgia Tech yes yes 2 53 Bob Hallen Center Kent State yes 3 74 Jammi German Wide receiver Miami (FL) yes 4 103 Omar Brown Defensive back North Carolina yes 4 114 Tim Dwight Wide receiver Iowa yes 6 166 Elijah Williams Defensive back Florida yes 7 199 Ephraim Salaam Offensive tackle San Diego State yes 7 201 Ken Oxendine Running back Virginia Tech yes 7 203 Henry Slay Defensive tackle West Virginia no https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/atl/1998_draft.htm 1998 Atlanta Falcons draftees Pro-Football-Reference.com December 14, 2013 Undrafted free agents + 1998 undrafted free agents of notePlayerPositionCollegeBrian BrennanQuarterbackIdaho Personnel 1998 Atlanta Falcons President – Taylor Smith Executive vice-president of football operations – Dan Reeves General manager – Harold Richardson Vice-president of football operations – Ron Hill Director of player personnel/College – Reed Johnson Director of player personnel/Pro – Chuck Connor Assistant to head coach/pro personnel – Marvin Bass Head coach – Dan Reeves Assistant head coach/defensive coordinator – Rich Brooks Offensive coordinator/running backs – George Sefcik Quarterbacks – Jack Burns Wide receivers – Rennie Simmons Tight ends – James Daniel Offensive line – Art Shell Offensive quality control – Ed West Defensive line – Bill Kollar Linebackers – Don Blackmon Secondary – Ron Meeks Defensive quality control – Brian Xanders Special teams – Joe DeCamillis Strength and conditioning – Al Miller Assistant strength and conditioning – Tim Jorgensen Roster 1998 Atlanta Falcons 12 Chris Chandler American football 17 Steve DeBerg 13 Tony Graziani 32 Jamal Anderson 45 Gary Downs 28 Harold Green American football 33 Ken Oxendine y 83 Tim Dwight y 82 Ronnie Harris American football 89 Todd Kinchen 80 Tony Martin American football 81 Terance Mathis 85 Brian Kozlowski 84 Rod Monroe American football y 88 O. J. Santiago 86 Ed Smith tight end 68 Calvin Collins G 64 Bob Hallen y G 76 Jose Portilla y T 74 Ephraim Salaam y T 67 Adam Schreiber C/LS 61 Robbie Tobeck C 70 Bob Whitfield T 79 Dave Widell C 69 Gene Williams American football G 92 Lester Archambeau DE/DT 91 John Burrough American football DE 75 Shane Dronett DT 96 Antonio Edwards DE 98 Travis Hall American football DT 90 Chuck Smith defensive end DE 93 Shawn Swayda DE 95 Esera Tuaolo DT 97 Cornelius Bennett OLB 56 Keith Brooking y OLB 94 Henri Crockett OLB 54 Ruffin Hamilton MLB 52 Craig Sauer OLB 59 Ben Talley OLB 58 Jessie Tuggle MLB 26 Darren Anderson American football CB 47 Chris Bayne SS 20 Michael Booker CB 23 Ronnie Bradford CB 27 Omar Brown defensive back, born 1975 y FS 34 Ray Buchanan CB 25 Devin Bush Sr. FS 29 Randy Fuller American football CB 41 Eugene Robinson American football FS 35 William White American football SS 21 Elijah Williams American football y CB  5 Morten Andersen K  4 Dan Stryzinski P 44 Bob Christian American football FB IR 87 Jammi German y WR IR 24 Byron Hanspard RB IR 53 active, 3 inactive, 5 practice squad 16 Octavus Barnes y WR 11 Sherdrick Bonner QB 62 Ben Huff y DT 66 Greg Studdard y T 73 Brett Williams defensive end DE https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/atl/1998_roster.htm 1998 Atlanta Falcons starters and roster Pro-Football-Reference.com December 6, 2014 Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 6 at Carolina Panthers W 19–14 1–0 Ericsson Stadium Recap 2 September 13 Philadelphia Eagles W 17–12 2–0 Georgia Dome Recap 3 Bye 4 September 27 at San Francisco 49ers L 20–31 2–1 Candlestick Park Recap 5 October 4 Carolina Panthers W 51–23 3–1 Georgia DomeRecap 6 October 11 at New York Giants W 34–20 4–1 Giants Stadium Recap 7 October 18 New Orleans Saints W 31–23 5–1 Georgia DomeRecap 8 October 25 at New York Jets L 3–28 5–2 Giants Stadium Recap 9 November 1 St. Louis Rams W 37–15 6–2 Georgia DomeRecap 10 November 8 at New England Patriots W 41–10 7–2 Foxboro Stadium Recap11 November 15 San Francisco 49ers W 31–19 8–2 Georgia Dome Recap 12 November 22 Chicago Bears W 20–13 9–2 Georgia Dome Recap 13 November 29 at St. Louis Rams W 21–1010–2 Trans World Dome Recap 14 December 6 Indianapolis Colts W 28–21 11–2 Georgia Dome Recap 15 December 13 at New Orleans Saints W 27–17 12–2 Louisiana Superdome Recap 16 December 20 at Detroit Lions W 24–17 13–2 Pontiac Silverdome Recap 17 December 27 Miami Dolphins W 38–16 14–2 Georgia Dome Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. Standings Notable games October 4 vs. Carolina Panthers Atlanta Falcons 1998 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 5: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons October 4, 1998 Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia 1:00 p.m. EST Panthers 3 0 6 14 Falcons 14 3 21 13 50,724 None (played indoors) NFL Scores https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199810040atl.htm Pro Football Reference Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – October 4th, 1998 First quarter ATL – Tim Dwight 93-yard kickoff return, 15:00, (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 7–0 ATL – Tony Martin 30-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 14–0 CAR – John Kasay 28-yard field goal. Falcons 14–3 Second quarter ATL – Morten Andersen 23 yard field goal, 1:12. Falcons 17–3 Third quarter ATL – Bob Christian 1-yard rush (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 24–3 ATL – O.J. Santiago 26-yard pass from Chris Chandler, 6:07 (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 31–3 ATL – William White 18-yard defensive fumble return, 6:01 (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 38–3 Wesley Walls 24-yard pass from Kerry Collins (kick failed). Falcons 38–9 Fourth quarter Mark Carrier 5-yard pass from Kerry Collins (pass failed). Falcons 38–15 ATL – Jamal Anderson 20-yard rush (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 45–15 Muhsin Muhammad 72-yard pass from Kerry Collins (Kerry Collins run). Falcons 45–23 ATL – Morten Andersen 25-yard field goal. Falcons 48–23 ATL – Morten Andersen 28-yard field goal, 0:47. Falcons 51–23 Top passers CAR – Kerry Collins – 20/38, 302 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT ATL – Chris Chandler – 12/20, 189 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Top rushers CAR – Fred Lane – 15 rushes, 48 yards ATL – Jamal Anderson – 31 rushes, 117 yards, TD Top receivers CAR – Muhsin Muhammad, 4 receptions, 104 yards, TD ATL – Tony Martin, 4 receptions, 65 yards, TD The Falcons' most decisive win of the season came in a 51–23 rout in the Georgia Dome. Jamal Anderson rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown while Chris Chandler threw for 189 yards and two touchdowns with two picks. From Tim Dwight’s 93-yard opening kickoff return touchdown, the Falcons never let Carolina have a sniff of contention, leading 38–3 during the third quarter before cruising home with the win. October 11 at New York Giants Atlanta Falcons 1998 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 6: Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants October 11, 1998 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey 8:20 p.m. EST Falcons 7 7 10 10 Giants 6 7 0 7 71,173 Partly cloudy, 70 °F °C 1, relative humidity 73%, wind 15 mph km/h knots NFL Scores https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199810110nyg.htm Pro Football Reference Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants – October 11th, 1998 First quarter NYG – Brad Daluiso 46-yard field goal. Giants 3–0 ATL – Tony Martin 36-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 7–3 NYG – Brad Daluiso 45-yard field goal. Falcons 7–6 Second quarter ATL – Antonio Edwards 2-yard defensive fumble return (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 14–6 NYG – David Patten 39-yard pass from Danny Kanell, 0:41 (Brad Daluiso kick). Falcons 14–13 Third quarter ATL – Morten Andersen 26-yard field goal. Falcons 17–13 ATL — Terance Mathis 55-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 24–13 Fourth quarter ATL – Chris Chandler 1-yard rush (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 31–13 ATL – Morten Andersen 32-yard field goal. Falcons 34–13 NYG – Kent Graham 5-yard rush (Brad Daluiso kick). Falcons 34–20 Top passers ATL – Chris Chandler – 14/27, 266 yards, 2 TD NYG – Kent Graham – 11/16, 105 yards Top rushers ATL – Jamal Anderson – 29 rushes, 110 yards NYG – Charles Way – 11 rushes, 39 yards Top receivers ATL – Terance Mathis, 2 receptions, 79 yards, TD NYG – Tiki Barber, 9 receptions, 56 yards This was the first occasion when the Falcons played the Giants since 1988,Urena Ivan Pro Football Schedules: A Complete Historical Guide from 1933 to the Present 221 0786473517 and the teams' first meeting at Giants Stadium since 1982. This is due to old NFL scheduling formulas in place prior to 2002, whereby teams had no rotating schedule opposing members of other divisions within their own conference, but instead played interdivisional conference games according to position within a season's table.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/blog/?p=521 History of the NFL’s Structure and Formats, Part Two Pro Football Reference October 25 at New York Jets Atlanta Falcons 1998 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 8: Atlanta Falcons at New York Jets October 25, 1998 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey 1:00 p.m. EST Falcons 0 3 0 0 Jets 7 7 14 0 71,573 65 F C 1, relative humidity 46%, wind 11 mph km/h knots NFL Scores https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199810250nyj.htm Pro Football Reference Atlanta Falcons at New York Jets – October 25th, 1998 First quarter NYJ – Curtis Martin 2-yard rush (John Hall kick). Jets 7–0 Second quarter NYJ – Jerome Henderson 53-yard defensive fumble return (John Hall kick). Jets 14–0 ATL – Morten Andersen 53-yard field goal, 0:01. Jets 14–3 Third quarter NYJ – Keyshawn Johnson 12-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (John Hall kick). Jets 21–3 NYJ – Keith Byars 22-yard pass from Vinny Testaverde (John Hall kick). Jets 28–3 Fourth quarter No scoring plays Top passers ATL – Steve DeBerg – 9/20, 117 yards, INT NYJ – Vinny Testaverde – 16/29, 206 yards, 2 TD Top rushers ATL – Jamal Anderson – 19 rushes, 46 yards NYJ – Curtis Martin – 25 rushes, 101 yards, TD Top receivers ATL – Bob Christian, 3 receptions, 43 yards NYJ – Wayne Chrebet, 4 receptions, 54 yards With Chris Chandler having injured his shoulder, the Falcons start 44-year-old Steve DeBerg, who had last played in the NFL in 1993 and became the oldest player to start an NFL game since Bobby Marshall in 1925.Amore Dom Under His Leadership, Jets Have It Together Hartford Courant October 26, 1998 C1, C6 Bill Belichick's Jets shut down the Falcons' powerful running game with a nine-man defensive line, and DeBerg and reserve left-hander Tony Graziani cannot cope with the Jets' pass rush.Amore Dom Elder Not Treated with Respect Hartford Courant 26 October 1998 C6 November 8 at New England Patriots Atlanta Falcons 1998 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 10: Atlanta Falcons at New England Patriots November 8, 1998 Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts 1:00 p.m. EST Falcons 14 14 3 10 Patriots 3 0 7 0 59,790 44 F C 1, relative humidity 69%, wind 9 mph km/h knots NFL Scores https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199811080nwe.htm Pro Football Reference Atlanta Falcons at New England Patriots – November 8th, 1998 First quarter ATL – Jamal Anderson 1-yard rush (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 7–0 ATL – O.J. Santiago 7-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 14–0 NWE – Adam Vinatieri 40-yard field goal. Falcons 14–3 Second quarter ATL – Jamal Anderson 10-yard rush (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 21–3 ATL – Chuck Smith 71-yard defensive fumble return (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 28–3 Third quarter ATL – Morten Andersen 40-yard field goal. Falcons 31–3 NWE – Ben Coates 2-yard pass from Drew Bledsoe (Adam Vinatieri kick). Falcons 31–10 Fourth quarter ATL – O.J. Santiago 22-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 38–10 ATL – Morten Andersen 32-yard field goal, 1:53. Falcons 41–10 Top passers ATL – Chris Chandler – 15/22, 240 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT NWE – Drew Bledsoe – 19/34, 229 yards, TD, INT Top rushers ATL – Jamal Anderson – 32 rushes, 104 yards, 2 TD NWE – Robert Edwards – 10 rushes, 11 yards Top receivers ATL – Terance Mathis, 8 receptions, 117 yards NWE – Tony Simmons, 4 receptions, 95 yards Atlanta rolled up 41 points while the defense limited New England to just ten points at Foxboro Stadium in a game where New England never got closer than a 14–3 score after one quarter and trailed 28–3 at the half. Jamal Anderson ran in two scores, Chris Chandler threw two more, and Chuck Smith grabbed a fumble at his 29 and ran it back for a touchdown. Chandler completed 15 of 22 throws for 240 yards and Anderson rushed for 104 yards. About the only thing that went wrong for the Falcons were two meaningless picks by the Patriots' Ty Law. As of 2025, this remains the Falcons' most recent win against New England. November 15 vs. San Francisco 49ers Atlanta Falcons 1998 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 11: San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons November 15, 1998 Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia 1:00 p.m. EST 49ers 0 3 3 13 Falcons 0 7 3 21 69,828 None (played indoors) NFL Scores https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199811150atl.htm Pro Football Reference San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons – November 15th, 1998 First quarter No scoring plays Second quarter ATL – Jamal Anderson 10-yard rush (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 7–0 SF – Wade Richey 24-yard field goal, 0:23. Falcons 7–3 Third quarter SF – Wade Richey 28-yard field goal. Falcons 7–6 ATL – Morten Andersen 37-yard field goal. Falcons 10–6 Fourth quarter ATL – Jamal Anderson 2-yard rush (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 17–6 ATL – Jessie Tuggle 1-yard defensive fumble return (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 24–6 SF – Terrell Owens 54-yard pass from Steve Young (run failed). Falcons 24–12 SF – Jerry Rice 65-yard pass from Steve Young (Wade Richey kick). Falcons 24–19 ATL – Terance Mathis 78-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 31–19 Top passers SF – Steve Young – 21/40, 342 yards, 2 TD, INT ATL – Chris Chandler – 12/21, 198 yards, TD Top rushers SF – Garrison Hearst – 16 rushes, 56 yards ATL – Jamal Anderson – 31 rushes 100 yards, 2 TD Top receivers SF – Jerry Rice – 10 receptions, 169 yards, TD ATL – Terance Mathis, 1 reception, 78 yards, TD The Falcons avenged one of the only two losses they would suffer in the regular season by besting the Niners 31–19 in the Georgia Dome. Steve Young threw for 342 yards and touchdowns to Terrell Owens and Jerry Rice, but Jamal Anderson’s 100-rushing yards and two scores helped the Falcons put away the Niners in a wild fourth quarter in which the two teams combined for 34 points (21 by the Falcons). December 6 vs. Indianapolis Colts Atlanta Falcons 1998 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Week 14: Atlanta Falcons at Indianapolis Colts December 13, 1998 Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia 1:00 p.m. (EST) Colts 14 7 0 0 Falcons 7 14 7 0 61,141 None (played indoors) NFL Scores https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199812060atl.htm Pro Football Reference Indianapolis Colts at Atlanta Falcons – December 6th, 1998 First quarter IND – Marshall Faulk 11-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Mike Vanderjagt kick). Colts 7–0 IND – Torrance Small 30-yard pass from Peyton Manning (Mike Vanderjagt kick). Colts 14–0 ATL – Tony Martin 40-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Morten Andersen kick). Colts 14–7 Second quarter IND – Marshall Faulk 3-yard rush (Mike Vanderjagt kick). Colts 21–7 ATL – Jamal Anderson 1-yard rush, 1:25 (Morten Andersen kick). Colts 21–14 ATL – Chris Chandler 3-yard rush, 0:05 (Morten Andersen kick). 21–21 Third quarter ATL – Terance Mathis 3-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Morten Andersen kick). Falcons 28–21Fourth quarterNo scoring plays |stats=Top passersIND – Peyton Manning – 19/27, 159 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT ATL – Chris Chandler – 20/28, 297 yards, 2 TD, INTTop rushersIND – Marshall Faulk – 19 rushes, 76 yards, TD ATL – Jamal Anderson – 30 rushes, 122 yards, TDTop receivers' IND – Ken Dilger – 5 receptions, 45 yards ATL – Tony Martin – 7 receptions, 140 yards, TD The Falcons record their first-ever win against the Colts, ending a 10-game losing streak to them.Indianapolis Colts vs. Atlanta Falcons https://www.footballdb.com/teams/nfl/indianapolis-colts/teamvsteam?opp=2 The Football Database Postseason Round Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Venue Recap Divisional January 9, 1999 Saturday San Francisco 49ers (4) W 20–181–0 Georgia Dome Recap NFC Championship January 17, 1999 at Minnesota Vikings (1)W 30–27 (OT)2–0 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Recap Super Bowl January 31, 1999 Denver Broncos (A1)L 19–34 2–1 Pro Player Stadium Recap NFC Divisional Playoff: vs. San Francisco 49ers Atlanta Falcons 1998 2;text-align:center; autocollapse NFC Divisional Round: San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary January 9, 1999 Saturday Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia 12:30 p.m. EST 49ers 0 10 0 8 Falcons 7 7 3 3 70,262 None (played indoors) Jerry Markbreit Fox Dick Stockton, Matt Millen, and Pam Oliver Box score First quarter ATL – Jamal Anderson 2-yard run (Morten Anderson kick), 7:35. Falcons 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 38 yards, 3:07. Second quarter ATL – Jamal Anderson 34-yard run (Morten Anderson kick), 4:30. Falcons 14–0. Drive: 7 plays, 82 yards, 4:23. SF – Jerry Rice 17-yard pass from Steve Young (Wade Richey kick), 1:16. Falcons 14–7. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 2:02.''SF – Wade Richey 36-yard field goal, 0:01. Falcons 14–10. Drive: 5 plays, 18 yards, 0:38.Third quarterATL – Morten Anderson 29-yard field goal, 2:15. Falcons 17–10. Drive: 6 plays, 9 yards, 3:28.Fourth quarterATL – Morten Anderson 32-yard field goal, 11:30. Falcons 20–10. Drive: 7 plays, 21 yards, 3:50. SF – Steve Young 8-yard run (Greg Clark pass from Ty Detmer), 4:28. Falcons 20–18. Drive: 13 plays, 87 yards, 7:36. |stats=Top passersSF – Steve Young – 23/37, 289 yards, TD, 3 INT ATL – Chris Chandler – 13/19, 169 yards, INTTop rushersSF – Terry Kirby – 9 rushes, 22 yards ATL – Jamal Anderson – 29 rushes, 113 yards, 2 TDTop receivers''' SF – J. J. Stokes – 5 receptions, 76 yards ATL – Terance Mathis – 5 receptions, 71 yards The rubber match of Atlanta and San Francisco's 1998 season came in the Georgia Dome a week after the Niners' spectacular last-minute comeback over the Green Bay Packers. The Falcons, though, would not be denied as Jamal Anderson once again hauled the mail with 113 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Steve Young threw a touchdown to Jerry Rice and ran in a late fourth-quarter score; Ty Detmer threw the ensuing two-point conversion to Greg Clark to put the score at 20–18, but the Falcons never let the Niners any closer for their first playoff win since 1991. The Falcons moved on to face the #1 seed Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship Game. NFC Championship: at Minnesota Vikings 1998 NFC Championship Game Atlanta Falcons 1998 2;text-align:center; autocollapse NFC Championship Game: Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary January 17, 1999 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota 12:30 p.m. EST/11:30 a.m. CST Falcons 7 7 3 10 3 Vikings 7 13 0 7 0 None (played indoors) 64,060 Walt Coleman Fox Pat Summerall, John Madden, Ron Pitts, and Bill Maas Box score First quarter ATL – Jamal Anderson 5-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Morten Anderson kick), 8:21. Falcons 7–0. Drive: 12 plays, 76 yards, 6:39. MIN – Randy Moss 31-yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Gary Anderson kick), 5:33. Tied 7–7. Drive: 4 plays, 80 yards, 2:48. Second quarter MIN – Gary Anderson 29-yard field goal, 9:52. Vikings 10–7. Drive: 12 plays, 48 yards, 6:16. MIN – Randall Cunningham 1-yard run (Gary Anderson kick), 5:53. Vikings 17–7. Drive: 6 plays, 33 yards, 3:41. MIN – Gary Anderson 35-yard field goal, 2:45. Vikings 20–7. Drive: 6 plays, 39 yards, 1:28. ATL – Terance Mathis 14-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Morten Anderson kick), 0:56. Vikings 20–14. Drive: 1 play, 14 yards, 0:03. Third quarter ATL – Morten Anderson 27-yard field goal, 5:36. Vikings 20–17. Drive: 10 plays, 62 yards, 6:03. Fourth quarter MIN – Matthew Hatchette 6-yard pass from Randall Cunningham (Gary Anderson kick), 13:41. Vikings 27–17. Drive: 15 plays, 82 yards, 6:55. ATL – Morten Anderson 24-yard field goal, 11:02. Vikings 27–20. Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 2:39. ATL – Terance Mathis 16-yard pass from Chris Chandler (Morten Anderson kick), 0:49. Tied 27–27. Drive: 8 plays, 71 yards, 1:18. Overtime ATL – Morten Anderson 38-yard field goal, 3:08. Falcons 30–27. Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 5:20. Top passers ATL – Chris Chandler – 27/43, 340 yards, 3 TD MIN – Randall Cunningham – 29/48, 266 yards, 2 TD Top rushers ATL – Jamal Anderson – 23 rushes, 67 yards MIN – Robert Smith – 21 rushes, 71 yards Top receivers ATL – Tony Martin – 5 receptions, 129 yards MIN – Randy Moss – 6 receptions, 75 yards, TD The 16–1 Vikings, boasting the league's highest-scoring post-merger offense, were heavy favorites at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome and raced to a 20–7 lead in the second quarter off two Randall Cunningham touchdowns (one rushing and a throw to Randy Moss), but at the end of the first half Chris Chandler found Terance Mathis for a 14-yard score following a Cunningham fumble (forced by Chuck Smith near the end of the half). After a Morten Andersen field goal made it 20–17 in the third, the Vikings surged to a 27–17 lead on another Cunningham TD throw (this one to Matthew Hatchette). In the frantic final ten minutes of regulation, the Falcons, trailing 27-20, appeared poised to tie the game after Shane Dronett recovered a botched snap deep in Vikings territory, but they turned the ball over on downs after foregoing a field goal on fourth-and-four, when a Chandler pass to Mathis fell incomplete. In the final four minutes, Gary Anderson, who hadn't missed a field goal all season, sent a 38-yarder narrowly wide left. With just over two minutes remaining, Chandler then drove the Falcons downfield and connected with Mathis in the endzone with 49 seconds remaining. Both teams punted on their first overtime possession (the Vikings, who had the ball first and had nearly won when Eugene Robinson dove to defend a deep pass to an otherwise uncovered Moss). On their second drive of the extra period, Chandler connected with OJ Santiago for two big gains before Andersen nailed a 38-yard field goal; the 30–27 final sent the Falcons to Super Bowl XXXIII. Super Bowl XXXIII: vs. Denver Broncos Super Bowl XXXIII Atlanta Falcons 1998 2;text-align:center; autocollapse Super Bowl XXXIII: Denver Broncos vs. Atlanta Falcons Broncos 7 10 0 17 Falcons 3 3 0 13 Pro Player Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida January 31, 1999 6:25 p.m. EST Clear, 73 F C 1 74,803 Bernie Kukar Fox Pat Summerall, John Madden, Ron Pitts, and Bill Maas Pro Football Reference https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199901310atl.htm Super Bowl XXXIII – Denver Broncos vs. Atlanta Falcons “ January 31st, 1999 NFL Scores First quarter ATL – Morten Anderson 32-yard field goal, 9:35. Falcons 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 48 yards, 5:25. DEN – Howard Griffith 1-yard run (Jason Elam kick), 3:55. Broncos 7–3. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:40. Second quarter DEN – Jason Elam 26-yard field goal, 9:17. Broncos 10–3. Drive: 11 plays, 63 yards, 4:58. DEN – Rod Smith 80-yard pass from John Elway (Jason Elam kick), 4:54. Broncos 17–3. Drive: 1 play, 80 yards, 0:13. ATL – Morten Anderson 28-yard field goal, 2:25. Broncos 17–6. Drive: 7 plays, 38 yards, 2:29. Third quarter No scoring plays Fourth quarter DEN – Howard Griffith 1-yard run (Jason Elam kick), 14:56. Broncos 24–6. Drive: 5 plays, 24 yards, 1:50. DEN – John Elway 3-yard run (Jason Elam kick), 11:20. Broncos 31–6. Drive: 3 plays, 48 yards, 1:17. ATL – Tim Dwight 94-yard kickoff return (Morten Anderson kick), 11:01. Broncos 31–13. DEN – Jason Elam 37-yard field goal, 7:08. Broncos 34–13. Drive: 7 plays, 36 yards, 3:53. ATL – Terance Mathis 3-yard pass from Chris Chandler (pass failed), 2:04. Broncos 34–19. Drive: 16 plays, 76 yards, 5:04. Top passers DEN – John Elway – 18/29, 336 yards, TD, INT ATL – Chris Chandler – 19/35, 219 yards, TD, 3 INT Top rushers DEN – Terrell Davis – 25 rushes, 102 yards ATL – Jamal Anderson – 18 rushes, 96 yards Top receivers DEN – Rod Smith – 5 receptions, 152 yards, TD ATL – Terance Mathis – 7 receptions, 85 yards, TD The Falcons were unable to continue their success to the next season and finished their 1999 campaign at 5–11. Atlanta would not return to the Super Bowl until Super Bowl LI at the conclusion of the 2016 NFL season. References External links 1998 Atlanta Falcons at Pro-Football-Reference.com Category:Atlanta Falcons seasons Atlanta Category:NFC West championship seasons Category:National Football Conference championship seasons Atlanta Falcons