Archer on Target Again as Falcons Rally to Win : Down 20-7 at Halftime, NFC West Leaders Beat Tampa Bay in Overtime, 23-20

A decade after Don Coryell’s Cardiac Cardinals, the National Football League proudly presents Dan Henning’s Frantic Falcons.

In their second close encounter in two weeks, the Falcons rallied past Tampa Bay, 23-20, Sunday for the best start in Atlanta’s 21-year history.

Mick Luckhurst, whose 34-yard field goal on the final play of regulation tied the score, kicked another 34-yarder 12:35 into overtime as the Falcons improved to 4-0. The victory, coupled with the Rams’ 34-20 loss to Philadelphia, gives Atlanta sole possession of the NFC West lead.

The Rams will meet both teams in the next two weeks, the Buccaneers Sunday at Anaheim Stadium and the Falcons at Atlanta Oct. 12.

Last week, David Archer guided the Falcons 88 yards in the final minute and set up Luckhurst’s 33-yard field goal with 20 seconds remaining that stunned Dallas, 37-35. Archer threw for 246 yards against the Buccaneers, who blew a 20-7 halftime lead in dropping to 1-3.

“I knew from watching the films of Tampa Bay’s last two games that they were trying to do the same things we do: play strong and solid, keep the football and don’t make mistakes,” said Henning, whose job was in jeopardy after consecutive 4-12 seasons. “Our defense came on in the second half and shut them out, but we had to struggle hard to get even.”

Quarterback Steve Young threw a touchdown pass and scored on a 21-yard run within a 67-second span late in the first half to stake the Buccaneers to a big lead at intermission.

The Falcons, who opened the 1981 season with three straight victories, used Cliff Austin’s 22-yard run off a draw play on their second possession of overtime to set up Luckhurst’s third field goal of the game.

“We just weren’t executing,” said Archer, who entered the game as the NFC’s No. 1 passer and hit 19 of 26. “I think the character of the whole team is what turned the game around. The offensive line took control and the defense came through with a second-half shutout.”

Young was ineffective after a standout first half and he threw a costly interception as Wendell Cason returned a pass intended for Jimmie Giles 10 yards to the Buccaneer 46 with 2:20 left in regulation. On fourth-and-2 from the Tampa Bay 38, Archer set up Luckhurst’s tying kick with a magnificent scramble away from three defensive linemen and a 15-yard completion to Sylvester Stamps.

Archer’s apparent 5-yard TD pass to Floyd Dixon was nullified by an offensive pass interference call against Austin, but Luckhurst wobbled a tying field goal over the goal posts from 34 yards out as regulation expired.

Young scrambled for 16 yards on fourth-and-one from his own 47 to set up his 11-yard scoring pass to Calvin Magee for a 13-7 lead with 2:27 left in the second quarter.

Tampa Bay struck again 67 seconds later. Bucs nose tackle David Logan sacked Archer and forced a fumble that defensive end John Cannon recovered at the Atlanta 21. On the next play, Young dropped back to pass, but saw the middle of the field open to run. He evaded Atlanta’s Bret Clark at the 15 and went into the end zone untouched for the 20-7 halftime lead.

“The offense played well and the defense played well, but it just came down to a couple of plays,” said Young, who threw for just 39 yards in a 24-20 victory against Detroit last week. “We didn’t know how to come out and take control in the second half.”

Young completed 12 of 21 passes for 160 yards and ran for 68 yards. Rookie Nathan Wonsley, subbing again for James Wilder, who missed his second straight game with a bruised sternum, added 65 yards on 19 carries.

Dixon caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Archer, Riggs scored from a yard out and Luckhurst kicked a 43-yard field goal for Atlanta. Luckhurst’s first field goal of the game came with 4:03 remaining and the Falcons trailed 20-17 before Young’s interception gave them new life.

Gerald Riggs gained 129 yards on 27 carries and Charlie Brown was Archer’s favorite target with seven catches for 110 yards.

The Buccaneers were outgained 300-67 after halftime and Carson’s theft was Tampa Bay’s only turnover.