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 in a 6–10 start.

1979 Atlanta Falcons season
OwnerRankin M. Smith Sr.
Head coachLeeman Bennett
General managerEddie LeBaron
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
Joel Williams Linebacker Wisconsin–La Crosse

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


Practice squad



Rookies in italics

Regular season

Schedule
Week Date Opponent Result Attendance
1 September 2, 1979 at New Orleans Saints W 40–34
70,940
2 September 10, 1979 at Philadelphia Eagles W 14–10
66,935
3 September 16, 1979 Denver Broncos L 20–17
57,677
4 September 23, 1979 at Detroit Lions L 24–23
56,249
5 September 30, 1979 Washington Redskins L 16–7
56,819
6 October 7, 1979 Green Bay Packers W 25–7
56,184
7 October 14, 1979 at Oakland Raiders L 50–19
52,900
8 October 21, 1979 at San Francisco 49ers L 20–15
33,952
9 October 29, 1979 Seattle Seahawks L 31–28
52,566
10 November 4, 1979 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 17–14
55,150
11 November 11, 1979 at New York Giants L 24–3
60,860
12 November 19, 1979 at Los Angeles Rams L 20–14
54,097
13 November 25, 1979 New Orleans Saints L 37–6
42,815
14 December 2, 1979 at San Diego Chargers W 28–26
50,198
15 December 9, 1979 Los Angeles Rams L 34–13
49,236
16 December 16, 1979 San Francisco 49ers W 31–21
37,211

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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