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1974 Atlanta Falcons season

NFL team season

NFL team season

FieldValue
teamAtlanta Falcons
year1974
record3–11
division_place4th NFC West
coachNorm Van Brocklin (fired Nov. 6; 2–6 record)
Marion Campbell (interim; 1–5 record)
general_managerNorm Van Brocklin (fired Nov. 6)
ownerRankin M. Smith Sr.
stadiumAtlanta Stadium
playoffs*Did not qualify*
pro_bowlers{{collapsible list
title3
AP All-pros{{collapsible list
title1
shortnavlinkFalcons seasons

Marion Campbell (interim; 1–5 record) | C Jeff Van Note | T George Kunz | DE Claude Humphrey | AP All-pros = {{collapsible list | DE Claude Humphrey (2nd team)

The 1974 Atlanta Falcons season was the franchise's ninth year in the National Football League (NFL). After coming close to their maiden postseason appearance the previous season and finishing with a best-to-date 9–5 record despite an upset loss to the Cardinals, the Falcons traded star cornerback Ken Reaves to the archrival New Orleans Saints to obtain in-demand guard Royce Smith, a former Georgia Bulldogs All-American, in a widely criticized move (Reaves played only five games for New Orleans before he was cut; he signed with St. Louis, where he remained through his retirement in 1978). During the strike-affected pre-season, they beat the Eagles 23–7 in a rain-soaked match, before losing to the Raiders, 28–16. Soon afterwards the Falcons lost key offensive tackle Bill Sandeman for the entire season with a slipped disc in his back.

Along with a form lapse from quarterback Bob Lee and an injury to running back Dave Hampton, this destroyed the Falcons’ offense. The 1974 Falcons scored 111 points with a mere twelve touchdowns, the lowest total in franchise history, and the second lowest by any team in a fourteen-game NFL season after the infamous “Zero Gang” offense of the 1977 Buccaneers who were shut out six times in fourteen games. Their failure to score more than seventeen points in any game has been equalled since only by the infamous offense of the 1992 Seahawks. Overall, Bob Lee, statistically, had one of the poorest seasons by a quarterback in Atlanta Falcons history, throwing for 852 yards, just 3 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, and completed just 45.3% of his passes (going 78 for 172) to go with his 32.4 passer rating. He also got sacked 31 times for 269 yards.

The Falcons sacked long-serving head coach Norman van Brocklin after being thrashed by the Miami Dolphins and having heard demands from fans to make that move. Three of his successors have suffered the same humiliation in the middle of a season: Marion Campbell (1976 and 1989), Dan Reeves (2003) and Dan Quinn (2020), and Bobby Petrino quit with three games remaining in 2007.

The 1974 Falcons suffered through the humiliation of being the first Falcons team to be swept by the Saints since the teams became division rivals with the AFL-NFL merger. The Saints entered the season 1–9 all-time vs. the Falcons, with that win coming in the teams' first meeting in 1967. New Orleans did not sweep Atlanta again until 1983.

Offseason

NFL draft

Main article: 1974 NFL draft

Personnel

Staff

  • Chairman of the board – Rankin M. Smith Sr.

  • President – Frank E. Wall

  • General manager – Norm Van Brocklin

  • Head coach – Norm Van Brocklin (games 1-8) Marion Campbell (games 9-14)

  • Offensive backfield – Billy Ray Barnes

  • Receivers – Harry Gilmer

  • Offensive line – Duane Putnam

  • Head defensive – Marion Campbell

  • Defensive line – Bob Griffin

  • Linebackers – Marv Matuszak

  • Defensive backfield – Fred Bruney

Roster

Regular season

Schedule

Atlanta Falconsyear=1974border=2}}"WeekAtlanta Falconsyear=1974border=2}}"DateAtlanta Falconsyear=1974border=2}}"OpponentAtlanta Falconsyear=1974border=2}}"ResultAtlanta Falconsyear=1974border=2}}"RecordAtlanta Falconsyear=1974border=2}}"VenueAtlanta Falconsyear=1974border=2}}"AttendanceAtlanta Falconsyear=1974border=2}}"Recap1234567891011121314
September 15[Dallas Cowboys](1974-dallas-cowboys-season)**L** 0–240–1Atlanta Stadium52,322[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197409150atl.htm)
September 22**[San Francisco 49ers](1974-san-francisco-49ers-season)****L** 10–160–2Atlanta Stadium47,686[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197409220atl.htm)
September 29at **[New Orleans Saints](1974-new-orleans-saints-season)****L** 13–140–3Tulane Stadium62,273[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197409290nor.htm)
October 6at [New York Giants](1974-new-york-giants-season)**W** 14–71–3Yale Bowl42,379[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197410060nyg.htm)
October 13[Chicago Bears](1974-chicago-bears-season)**W** 13–102–3Atlanta Stadium47,835[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197410130atl.htm)
October 20**[New Orleans Saints](1974-new-orleans-saints-season)****L** 3–132–4Atlanta Stadium47,217[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197410200atl.htm)
at [Pittsburgh Steelers](1974-pittsburgh-steelers-season)**L** 17–242–5Three Rivers Stadium48,094[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197410280pit.htm)
November 3at [Miami Dolphins](1974-miami-dolphins-season)**L** 7–422–6Miami Orange Bowl64,399[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197411030mia.htm)
November 10at **[Los Angeles Rams](1974-los-angeles-rams-season)****L** 0–212–7Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum70,056[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197411100ram.htm)
November 17[Baltimore Colts](1974-baltimore-colts-season)**L** 7–172–8Atlanta Stadium41,278[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197411170atl.htm)
November 24at **[San Francisco 49ers](1974-san-francisco-49ers-season)****L** 0–272–9Candlestick Park45,435[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197411240sfo.htm)
December 1**[Los Angeles Rams](1974-los-angeles-rams-season)****L** 7–302–10Atlanta Stadium18,648[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197412010atl.htm)
at [Minnesota Vikings](1974-minnesota-vikings-season)**L** 10–232–11Metropolitan Stadium47,105[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197412070min.htm)
December 15[Green Bay Packers](1974-green-bay-packers-season)**W** 10–33–11Atlanta Stadium10,020[Recap](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197412150atl.htm)
**Note:** Intra-division opponents are in **bold** text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Dallas Cowboys

First quarter

  • DAL – Roger Staubach 9-yard run (Mac Percival kick). Cowboys 7–0. Second quarter
  • DAL – Mac Percival 33-yard field goal. Cowboys 10–0.
  • DAL – Golden Richards 52-yard pass from Roger Staubach (Mac Percival kick). Cowboys 17–0. Third quarter
  • No scoring plays Fourth quarter
  • DAL – Robert Newhouse 1-yard run (Mac Percival kick). Cowboys 24–0. Top passers
  • DAL – Roger Staubach – 13/27, 252 yards, TD
  • ATL – Pat Sullivan – 4/6, 44 yards, INT Top rushers
  • DAL – Calvin Hill – 11 rushes, 58 yards
  • ATL – Eddie Ray – 12 rushes, 36 yards Top receivers
  • DAL – Drew Pearson – 5 receptions, 95 yards
  • ATL – Jim Mitchell – 1 reception, 15 yards

Week 2: vs. San Francisco 49ers

First quarter

  • SF – Danny Abramowicz 13-yard pass from Joe Reed (kick failed). 49ers 6–0.
  • SF – Larry Schreiber 1-yard run (Bruce Gossett kick). 49ers 13–0.
  • ATL – Art Malone 1-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). 49ers 13–7. Second quarter
  • No scoring plays Third quarter
  • No scoring plays Fourth quarter
  • ATL – Nick Mike-Mayer 32-yard field goal. 49ers 13–10.
  • SF – Bruce Gossett 25-yard field goal. 49ers 16–10. Top passers
  • SF – Joe Reed – 7/22, 101 yards, TD, INT
  • ATL – Bob Lee – 10/23, 99 yards, 3 INT Top rushers
  • SF – Larry Schreiber – 18 rushes, 70 yards, TD
  • ATL – Eddie Ray – 17 rushes, 58 yards Top receivers
  • SF – Wilbur Jackson – 2 receptions, 45 yards
  • ATL – Ken Burrow – 4 receptions, 57 yards

Week 3: at New Orleans Saints

First quarter

  • No scoring plays Second quarter
  • NO – Joel Parker 13-yard pass from Archie Manning (Bill McClard kick). Saints 7–0.
  • ATL – Gerald Tinker 72-yard punt return (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Tied 7–7. Third quarter
  • ATL – Nick Mike-Mayer 21-yard field goal. Falcons 10–7. Fourth quarter
  • ATL – Nick Mike-Mayer 27-yard field goal. Falcons 13–7.
  • NO – Jess Phillips 8-yard run (Bill McClard kick). Saints 14–13. Top passers
  • ATL – Pat Sullivan – 7/20, 74 yards, INT
  • NO – Archie Manning – 6/14, 47 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
  • ATL – Haskel Stanback – 18 rushes, 73 yards
  • NO – Jess Phillips – 16 rushes, 63 yards, TD Top receivers
  • ATL – Jim Mitchell – 2 receptions, 40 yards
  • NO – John Beasley – 1 reception, 30 yards

Week 4: at New York Giants

First quarter

  • NYG – Doug Kotar 53-yard run (Pete Gogolak kick). Giants 7–0. Second quarter
  • ATL – Jim Mitchell 15-yard pass from Bob Lee (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Tied 7–7. Third quarter
  • ATL – Ray Brown 59-yard interception return (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Falcons 14–7. Fourth quarter
  • No scoring plays Top passers
  • ATL – Bob Lee – 10/17, 142 yards, TD, 3 INT
  • NYG – Norm Snead – 10/20, 85 yards, 2 INT Top rushers
  • ATL – Haskel Stanback – 15 rushes, 64 yards
  • NYG – Doug Kotar – 15 rushes, 119 yards, TD Top receivers
  • ATL – Jim Mitchell – 3 receptions, 55 yards, TD
  • NYG – Bob Grim – 2 receptions, 24 yards

Week 5: vs. Chicago Bears

First quarter

  • No scoring plays Second quarter
  • ATL – Bob Lee 1-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Falcons 7–0. Third quarter
  • ATL – Nick Mike-Mayer 35-yard field goal. Falcons 10–0. Fourth quarter
  • CHI – Bo Rather 59-yard pass from Gary Huff (Mirro Roder kick). Falcons 10–7.
  • CHI – Mirro Roder 37-yard field goal. Tied 10–10.
  • ATL – Nick Mike-Mayer 31-yard field goal. Falcons 13–10. Top passers
  • CHI – Gary Huff – 14/25, 177 yards, TD, 2 INT
  • ATL – Bob Lee – 10/18, 121 yards, 2 INT Top rushers
  • CHI – Carl Garrett – 14 rushes, 50 yards
  • ATL – Haskel Stanback – 19 rushes, 77 yards Top receivers
  • CHI – Bo Rather – 6 receptions, 114 yards, TD
  • ATL – Ken Burrow – 4 receptions, 76 yards

Week 6: vs. New Orleans Saints

First quarter

  • No scoring plays Second quarter
  • ATL – Nick Mike-Mayer 47-yard field goal. Falcons 3–0.
  • NO – Paul Seal 36-yard pass from Bobby Scott (Bill McClard kick). Saints 7–3.
  • NO – Bill McClard 41-yard field goal. Saints 10–3. Third quarter
  • NO – Bill McClard 31-yard field goal. Saints 13–3. Fourth quarter
  • No scoring plays Top passers
  • NO – Bobby Scott – 6/16, 78 yards, TD, INT
  • ATL – Pat Sullivan – 12/24, 122 yards, INT Top rushers
  • NO – Alvin Maxson – 25 rushes, 91 yards
  • ATL – Dave Hampton – 12 rushes, 37 yards Top receivers
  • NO – Paul Seal – 1 reception, 36 yards, TD
  • ATL – Jim Mitchell – 4 receptions, 45 yards

Week 7: at Pittsburgh Steelers

First quarter

  • PIT – Rocky Bleier 10-yard run (Roy Gerela kick). Steelers 7–0.
  • PIT – Terry Bradshaw 1-yard run (Roy Gerela kick). Steelers 14–0. Second quarter
  • ATL – Al Dodd 9-yard pass from Bob Lee (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Steelers 14–7.
  • ATL – Ken Burrow 24-yard pass from Bob Lee (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Tied 14–14. Third quarter
  • PIT – Roy Gerela 33-yard field goal. Steelers 17–14. Fourth quarter
  • PIT – Franco Harris 7-yard run (Roy Gerela kick). Steelers 24–14.
  • ATL – Nick Mike-Mayer 32-yard field goal. Steelers 24–17. Top passers
  • ATL – Bob Lee – 8/20, 122 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
  • PIT – Terry Bradshaw – 9/21, 130 yards, 2 INT Top rushers
  • ATL – Dave Hampton – 17 rushes, 55 yards
  • PIT – Franco Harris – 28 rushes, 141 yards, TD Top receivers
  • ATL – Jim Mitchell – 2 receptions, 62 yards
  • PIT – Franco Harris – 2 receptions, 37 yards

Week 8: at Miami Dolphins

First quarter

  • No scoring plays Second quarter
  • MIA – Benny Malone 4-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 7–0.
  • MIA – Paul Warfield 4-yard pass from Bob Griese (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 14–0.
  • ATL – Dave Hampton 2-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Dolphins 14–7. Third quarter
  • MIA – Don Nottingham 1-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 21–7.
  • MIA – Jim Mandich 18-yard pass from Bob Griese (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 28–7.
  • MIA – Don Nottingham 2-yard run (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 35–7. Fourth quarter
  • MIA – Don Nottingham 1-yard (Garo Yepremian kick). Dolphins 42–7. Top passers
  • ATL – Bob Lee – 8/15, 65 yards, INT
  • MIA – Bob Griese – 10/15, 158 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers
  • ATL – Dave Hampton – 14 rushes, 71 yards, TD
  • MIA – Benny Malone – 24 rushes, 108 yards, TD Top receivers
  • ATL – Ken Burrow – 3 receptions, 47 yards
  • MIA – Paul Warfield – 4 receptions, 71 yards, TD

Week 9: at Los Angeles Rams

First quarter

  • LAR – Harold Jackson 40-yard pass from James Harris (David Ray kick). Rams 7–0. Second quarter
  • No scoring plays Third quarter
  • LAR – Tony Baker 1-yard run (David Ray kick). Rams 14–0. Fourth quarter
  • LAR – Harold Jackson 25-yard pass from James Harris (David Ray kick). Rams 21–0. Top passers
  • ATL – Bob Lee – 10/21, 89 yards
  • LAR – James Harris – 5/13, 130 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers
  • ATL – Art Malone – 13 rushes, 49 yards
  • LAR – Lawrence McCutcheon – 22 rushes, 140 yards Top receivers
  • ATL – Art Malone – 6 receptions, 33 yards
  • LAR – Harold Jackson – 3 receptions, 79 yards, 2 TD

Week 10: vs. Baltimore Colts

First quarter

  • No scoring plays Second quarter
  • BAL – Toni Linhart 37-yard field goal. Colts 3–0.
  • ATL – Haskel Stanback 23-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Falcons 7–3.
  • BAL – Marty Domres 12-yard run (Toni Linhart kick). Colts 10–7. Third quarter
  • No scoring plays Fourth quarter
  • BAL – Bill Olds 1-yard run (Toni Linhart kick). Colts 17–7. Top passers
  • BAL – Marty Domres – 4/11, 74 yards, INT
  • ATL – Bob Lee – 12/22, 142 yards, INT Top rushers
  • BAL – Lydell Mitchell – 33 rushes, 151 yards
  • ATL – Dave Hampton – 16 rushes, 62 yards Top receivers
  • BAL – Raymond Chester – 1 reception, 41 yards
  • ATL – Jim Mitchell – 2 receptions, 45 yards

Week 11: at San Francisco 49ers

First quarter

  • SF – Gene Washington 5-yard pass from Tom Owen (Bruce Gossett kick). 49ers 7–0. Second quarter
  • SF – Gene Washington 53-yard pass from Tom Owen (Bruce Gossett kick). 49ers 14–0. Third quarter
  • No scoring plays Fourth quarter
  • SF – Manfred Moore 88-yard punt return (Bruce Gossett kick). 49ers 21–0.
  • SF – Bruce Gossett 20-yard field goal. 49ers 24–0.
  • SF – Bruce Gossett 42-yard field goal. 49ers 27–0. Top passers
  • ATL – Pat Sullivan – 13/30, 148 yards, 2 INT
  • SF – Tom Owen – 7/16, 127 yards, 2 TD, INT Top rushers
  • ATL – Dave Hampton – 10 rushes, 43 yards
  • SF – Larry Schreiber – 20 rushes, 106 yards Top receivers
  • ATL – Dave Hampton – 4 receptions, 37 yards
  • SF – Gene Washington – 2 receptions, 58 yards, 2 TD

Week 12: vs. Los Angeles Rams

First quarter

  • LAR – Jim Bertelsen 6-yard run (kick failed). Rams 6–0. Second quarter
  • LAR – Jack Snow 44-yard pass from James Harris (David Ray). Rams 13–0.
  • ATL – Vince Kendrick 2-yard pass from Pat Sullivan (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Rams 13–7. Third quarter
  • LAR – Dave Elmendorf 57-yard interception return (David Ray kick). Rams 20–7.
  • LAR – Jim Bertelsen 4-yard run (David Ray kick). Rams 27–7.
  • LAR – David Ray 23-yard field goal. Rams 30–7. Fourth quarter
  • No scoring plays Top passers
  • LAR – James Harris – 9/17, 174 yards, TD
  • ATL – Kim McQuilken – 13/27, 160 yards, 3 INT Top rushers
  • LAR – Lawrence McCutcheon – 16 rushes, 53 yards
  • ATL – Art Malone – 4 rushes, 9 yards Top receivers
  • LAR – Jack Snow – 2 receptions, 85 yards, TD
  • ATL – Jim Mitchell – 7 receptions, 109 yards

Week 13: at Minnesota Vikings

First quarter

  • MIN – Dave Osborn 10-yard run (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 7–0. Second quarter
  • ATL – Art Malone 1-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Tied 7–7.
  • MIN – Fred Cox 21-yard field goal. Vikings 10–7. Third quarter
  • MIN – Dave Osborn 5-yard run (kick failed). Vikings 16–7. Fourth quarter
  • ATL – Nick Mike-Mayer 36-yard field goal. Vikings 16–10.
  • MIN – Stu Voigt 10-yard pass from Bob Berry (Fred Cox kick). Vikings 23–10. Top passers
  • ATL – Kim McQuilken – 11/25, 125 yards, 2 INT
  • MIN – Bob Berry – 14/22, 114 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
  • ATL – Art Malone – 10 rushes, 54 yards, TD
  • MIN – Dave Osborn – 24 rushes, 96 yards, 2 TD Top receivers
  • ATL – Ken Burrow – 3 receptions, 50 yards
  • MIN – Dave Osborn – 6 receptions, 39 yards

Week 14: vs. Green Bay Packers

First quarter

  • ATL – Dave Hampton 5-yard run (Nick Mike-Mayer kick). Falcons 7–0. Second quarter
  • ATL – Nick Mike-Mayer 47-yard field goal. Falcons 10–0. Third quarter
  • GB – Chester Marcol 43-yard field goal. Falcons 10–3. Fourth quarter
  • No scoring plays Top passers
  • GB – John Hadl – 15/38, 138 yards, 2 INT
  • ATL – Kim McQuilken – 7/20, 68 yards, 3 INT Top rushers
  • GB – John Brockington – 20 rushes, 65 yards
  • ATL – Dave Hampton – 23 rushes, 94 yards, TD Top receivers
  • GB – Rich McGeorge – 2 receptions, 38 yards
  • ATL – Tom Geredine – 2 receptions, 27 yards

Standings

References

References

  1. “Falcons deny trading Reaves Connected with Players’ Strike”; in ''[[Ellensburg Daily Record]]''; July 20, 1974; p. 4
  2. “Falcons blast Eagles, 23–7”; in ''[[St. Petersburg Times]]''; August 5, 1974; p. 9C
  3. “Harold Hart, Stabler Leader Raiders’ Win Over Falcons”; in ''[[The Tuscaloosa News]]''; August 11, 1974; p. 2C
  4. “Falcon Tackle out for Season”; in ''[[Bangor Daily News]]''; August 22, 1974; p. 18
  5. “Hampton out with Bum Knee”; in ''[[Rome News-Tribune]]''; August 27, 1974; p. 6
  6. [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/play-index/tgl_finder.cgi?request=1&match=single&year_min=1961&year_max=1978&game_type=R&playoff_round=&game_num_min=0&game_num_max=99&week_num_min=0&week_num_max=99&game_day_of_week=&game_time=&time_zone=&game_location=&surface=&roof=&game_result=&overtime=&league_id=&team_id=&opp_id=&conference_game=&division_game=&tm_is_playoff=&opp_is_playoff=&tm_is_winning=&opp_is_winning=&tm_scored_first=&tm_led=&tm_trailed=&c1stat=points&c1comp=lt&c1val=200&c2stat=&c2comp=gt&c2val=&c3stat=&c3comp=gt&c3val=&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=points&order_by_asc=Y Pro-Football-Reference.com: In a single season, from 1961 to 1978, in the regular season, sorted by ascending Points For and Requiring Points For less than 200]
  7. “Falcons Dump the Dutchman”; in ''[[The Pittsburgh Press]]'', November 5, 1974; p. 69
  8. “Steelers Take on Falcons”; in ''[[St. Petersburg Times]]''; October 28, 1974; p. 3C
  9. "1974 Atlanta Falcons draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
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