Atlanta Starts Fast, Finishes Pack, 20-0

Chris Miller got a fast start and the Atlanta Falcons have a new one.

Miller connected with Gene Lang on a 45-yard touchdown pass play that started the Falcons to a 20-0 victory over the Green Bay Packers Sunday, breaking an 8-game home field losing streak.

“We’re on the right track,” said Miller, who took the Falcons to a second straight victory since returning from a ankle injury. “I felt like we needed to get started quick and we did with that TD pass on which Gene made a good play.

“Two in a row. It’s a good feeling, and next Sunday against San Diego we go after three and maybe we can start to build something.”

Miller passed for 124 of his 177 yards as the Falcons (3-7) built a 17-0 halftime lead and the defense shut down Green Bay (2-8) to register Atlanta’s first shutout since a 35-0 blanking of New Orleans on Dec. 12, 1982.

It also was the first time Atlanta has put together consecutive victories since opening the 1986 season with four victories in a row.

“It’s another step, a rung on the ladder, whatever you want to call it,” guard Bill Fralic said. “It feels good.”

The Packers, who lost their third in a row, also were shut out, 28-0, by Buffalo last week.

Miller, who completed 15 of 25 with 2 interceptions, capped a 72-yard scoring drive on Atlanta’s second possession with his 45-yard pass to Lang with 7:14 left in the opening quarter. Lang made a leaping catch at the goal line in a battle with defender Mark Murphy.

Green Bay had 7 turnovers, 4 pass interceptions and 3 fumbles.

John Settle scored on a 1-yard run in the first minute of the second quarter and Greg Davis added field goals of 52 and 43 yards for the Falcons.

Davis’ 52-yarder tied a club record set by Mick Luckhurst.