Who: Falcons coach Leeman Bennett
What: NFC wild-card playoff game, Eagles vs. Falcons
When: Dec. 24, 1978
Where: Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium
Score: Falcons 14, Eagles 13
What happened: Bennett led the Falcons where they'd never been before.
The late Rankin Smith Sr., former owner of the Falcons, lamented to Sports Illustrated in a 1977 article that the media referred to Atlanta as “Loserville, USA.”
Certainly the Falcons had a lot to do with that perception.
Since starting play in 1966, the Falcons had posted more seasons with 10 losses or more (six) than winning records (two) — and this was back during a 14-game schedule. The team had never made the playoffs.
So when the Falcons finally qualified for the postseason in 1978, it was a big deal. When they defeated the Eagles, it was a landmark day for the franchise.
“We came in and won,” Bennett said. “The Braves got themselves going. All of a sudden, we were kind of ‘Winnersville.’ The Falcons have been up and down since then, but at least they are not new to the playoffs.”
The Falcons’ first playoff victory didn’t come easily.
They needed two touchdown passes by Steve Bartkowski to pull out the game. It also helped that Eagles kicker Mike Michel missed two field goals and a point-after attempt, offsetting a missed field-goal attempt by Atlanta’s Tim Mazzetti.
Bennett said the city was excited and fans were glad to have a winner.
“It was unbelievable,” Bennett said. “The town was totally on fire for that time.”
Where is he now: Bennett lives in metro Atlanta. He is the chairman of the team-selection committee for the Chick-fil-A Bowl, which is played at the Georgia Dome.
Bennett is coaching the West team at the East-West Shrine game for college prospects Saturday in St. Petersburg, Fla.
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