Falcons turned around franchise's fortunes in 11 seconds

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

FLOWERY BRANCH -- Just 11 ticks remained on the game clock.

Trailing by a point, the Falcons appeared headed for a near-certain defeat at the hands of the Chicago Bears.

But the events that took place over that short time span helped to turn around the fortunes of the franchise, which was coming off the failed Bobby Petrino hiring and quarterback Michael Vick's incarceration on federal dogfighting charges.

What happened in those final 11 seconds helped to match the previous season's win total and send the Falcons off on perhaps the most improbable run to the playoffs in league history.

The Falcons play the Bears in a rematch of sorts at 8:20 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome. It will be the Falcons' first nationally televised regular-season game since Petrino coached his last game against New Orleans on Dec. 10, 2007, and then left for Arkansas.

In conversations with the AJC, key players discussed how they pulled out the 22-20 victory over the Bears.

Matt Ryan, quarterback

Role: He threw a nice pass to wide receiver Michael Jenkins for 26 yards. The play started with six seconds remaining.

"We had the squib kick and got it out [on Harry Douglas' 10-yard return to Atlanta's 44-yard line]. We completed the out route with a few seconds left. Jason [Elam] came out and made the field goal.

"You have to believe in those situations. You have to make a play. It was a good call, and we got it done."

Michael Jenkins, wide receiver

Role: Caught the big pass and got out of bounds with one second remaining.

"We just knew that we had one shot to gain some yards and try to get a chance to kick a field goal. You are not really stressing over that. You just know that you have to catch it and get out of bounds. Nobody was really freaking out or anything.

"You knew they were going to try to play a [Cover] Two [zone] and try to keep everything inside. The cornerback actually went up on [Jerious] Norwood who came out of the backfield [on a flat route] and that give us some extra room."

Michael Turner, running back

Role: Onlooker from the sidelines.

"Everything happened so fast. I didn't know if we were close enough for a field goal or not. I was just making sure that the referee called it a catch and it was good.

"I was standing on the sidelines, but I was down a little bit. I didn't really get a clear picture of what happened. But I got a clear picture of Elam's field goal going through the uprights."

Marty Booker, wide receiver

Role: He played for the Bears last season and has the perspective from their sideline.

"You knew you had the game in the bank and then you lose it in the last few seconds. It was devastating. ...

"That type of thing happens in this league. I've been around. You see it all, been through it all and it doesn't stop. That happens every week, just about. Unfortunately it happened to us at that time. ...

"I was standing out there watching the play and saw it happen. I was like ‘uh, oh!' Then I was like, boy I hope he misses this kick. It was a devastating blow.

Mike Schneck, long snapper

Role: He delivered the snap on the 48-yard game-winning field goal as time expired.

"That was a lot of fun. We were very fortunate to come out on top of that one. ... I went over to Michael Koenen, and I said why don't we get a couple of warm-up snaps. I've been around and have seen crazy things happen. Fortunately we were over there getting ready. We just walked on the field and were able to execute."

Jason Elam, kicker

Role: He atoned for a missed 33-yard field-goal attempt with 2:43 left in the fourth quarter by making a 48-yarder as time expired. It was his fifth field goal of the game.

"We were kind of just hanging out on the sideline. We were standing right there. I was like everybody else, thinking that the game was probably over. But we hit that pass there, and I looked up at the clock and there was still one second.

"I was like ‘we're going to get a shot here.' It was one of the most dramatic games that I've been apart of.

"It was fun because all of the things that had happened to the team the year before with Petrino and all of the other stuff that was going on. Just to keep the people excited again, to get our confidence back. It definitely kind of kick-started us toward the playoffs."