Archives for December 24, 2001

‘Sunday’s dramatic win over the Buffalo Bills not only was the Falcons’ final home game of the year, but also the final home game for Smith as team president.’

‘Chris Chandler is a good player who has remained unloved.’

‘The Falcons converted nine of 14 third downs, and running back Rodney Thomas finally got a chance to pitch in and rushed for 41 yards, just enough to keep Buffalo honest.’

‘130: The number of rushing yards gained by Buffalo running back Shawn Bryson. Indianapolis’ Dominic Rhodes gained 177 yards last week against the Falcons.’

‘The Falcons almost certainly need to win their final games against Miami and St. Louis, and for the Bucs to lose to Baltimore Saturday and Philadelphia next week. Even then, what the Saints and Giants do might still keep them home for the postseason.’

‘The officiating crew of referee Larry Nemmers had a bad day. They failed to nullify Buffalo’s game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter, when the Bills were in an illegal formation and appeared to snap the ball after the play clock had run out.’

‘"I just wanted a chance, just an opportunity," said Feely, who was a perfect 4-for-4 in field goal opportunities Sunday. "There’s nothing else going through your mind when you’re out there. You just want to be fundamentally sound."’

‘He completed 28 of 40 passes for a franchise-record 431 yards.’

Shawn Bryson: 16 attempts, 130 yards, 2 touchdowns.

"I thought that today’s game had the potential to be a track-meet type game," Williams said of a game that ended up with 885 yards total offense. "I thought that the guys did a great job fighting all the way down to the end. We just didn’t make enough plays at the end and our penalties hurt us."