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 come Dan Henning’s Frantic Falcons.

In their second Houdini-like escape in two weeks, the Atlanta Falcons rallied to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 23-20, Sunday for the best start in the Falcons’ 21-year history.

Mick Luckhurst, whose 34-yard field goal on the final play of regulation tied the score, won it with another 34-yarder 12:35 into overtime.

The victory, coupled with the Rams’ 34-20 loss to Philadelphia, gives Atlanta (4-0) sole possession of the NFC West lead.

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 to stun Dallas, 37-35.

On Sunday, Archer threw for 246 yards against the Buccaneers (1-3), who blew a 20-7 halftime lead.

“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 their 20-7 halftime lead.

In the overtime, the Falcons used Cliff Austin’s 22-yard run on 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 on 19 of 36. “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 in the second half and he threw a costly interception. Wendell Cason returned a pass intended for Jimmie Giles 10 yards to the Buccaneer 46 with 2:20 left in regulation.

On fourth and two from the Tampa Bay 38, Archer set up Luckhurst’s tying field goal with a magnificent scramble away from three defensive linemen and a 15-yard completion to Sylvester Stamps.

Archer’s apparent five-yard touchdown pass to Floyd Dixon was nullified by an offensive pass interference call against Austin, but Luckhurst kicked a wobbling field goal over the goal posts from 34 yards out to tie the score as regulation expired.

Other stars for Falcons were Gerald Riggs, who gained 129 yards in 27 carries and scored from the one in the third quarter, and Charlie Brown, who caught 7 passes for 110 yards.