The 1979 Atlanta Falcons season was the Falcons' 14th season. The Falcons were trying to improve upon their 9–7 record in 1978 and make it to the playoffs for the second time in team history, their first appearance being the year before. Rookie fullback William Andrews rushed for 167 yards in a 40–34 overtime win over the Saints in the season opener in New Orleans. Andrews set a team record with 1,023 yards, while quarterback Steve Bartkowski became the first Falcon to surpass the 2,000-yard mark with 2,505. However, the Falcons' defense allowed 388 points and the team finished 6–10.
| 1979 Atlanta Falcons season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Rankin M. Smith Sr. |
| General manager | Eddie LeBaron |
| Head coach | Leeman Bennett |
| Home field | Fulton County Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 6–10 |
| Division place | 3rd NFC West |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
| |
| 1979 Atlanta Falcons draft | |||||
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 | Don Smith | Defensive tackle | Miami (FL) | |
| 2 | 49 | Pat Howell | Guard | USC | |
| 3 | 75 | James Mayberry | Running back | Colorado | |
| 3 | 79 | William Andrews * | Running back | Auburn | |
| 4 | 100 | Lynn Cain | Running back | USC | |
| 4 | 101 | Charles Johnson | Defensive back | Grambling State | |
| 5 | 127 | Mike Zele | Nose tackle | Kent State | |
| 6 | 154 | Mike Moroski | Quarterback | UC Davis | |
| 7 | 186 | Roger Westlund | Offensive tackle | Washington | |
| 8 | 212 | Keith Miller | Linebacker | Northeastern State | |
| 9 | 239 | Dave Parkin | Defensive back | Utah State | |
| 10 | 266 | Bruce Beekley | Linebacker | Oregon | |
| 11 | 292 | Bill Leer | Center | Colorado State | |
| 12 | 323 | Stuart Walker | Linebacker | Colorado | |
| Made roster * Made at least one Pro Bowl during career | |||||
| Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|
| Putt Choate | Linebacker | SMU |
| Don Lukas | Wide receiver | Michigan Tech |
|
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
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Defensive coaches
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| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Attendance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 2 | atNew Orleans Saints | W 40–34 | 1–0 | Louisiana Superdome | 70,940 | |
| 2 | September 10 | atPhiladelphia Eagles | W 14–10 | 2–0 | Veterans Stadium | 66,935 | |
| 3 | September 16 | Denver Broncos | L 17–20 | 2–1 | Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium | 57,677 | |
| 4 | September 23 | atDetroit Lions | L 23–24 | 2–2 | Pontiac Silverdome | 56,249 | |
| 5 | September 30 | Washington Redskins | L 7–16 | 2–3 | Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium | 56,819 | |
| 6 | October 7 | Green Bay Packers | W 25–7 | 3–3 | Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium | 56,184 | |
| 7 | October 14 | atOakland Raiders | L 19–50 | 3–4 | Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum | 52,900 | |
| 8 | October 21 | atSan Francisco 49ers | L 15–20 | 3–5 | Candlestick Park | 33,952 | |
| 9 | October 29 | Seattle Seahawks | L 28–31 | 3–6 | Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium | 52,566 | |
| 10 | November 4 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 17–14 | 4–6 | Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium | 55,150 | |
| 11 | November 11 | atNew York Giants | L 3–24 | 4–7 | Giants Stadium | 60,860 | |
| 12 | November 19 | atLos Angeles Rams | L 14–20 | 4–8 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | 54,097 | |
| 13 | November 25 | New Orleans Saints | L 6–37 | 4–9 | Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium | 42,815 | |
| 14 | December 2 | atSan Diego Chargers | W 28–26 | 5–9 | San Diego Stadium | 50,198 | |
| 15 | December 9 | Los Angeles Rams | L 13–34 | 5–10 | Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium | 49,236 | |
| 16 | December 16 | San Francisco 49ers | W 31–21 | 6–10 | Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium | 37,211 | |
| Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text. | |||||||
| NFC West | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK |
| Los Angeles Rams(3) | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 5–1 | 7–5 | 323 | 309 | L1 |
| New Orleans Saints | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 4–2 | 8–4 | 370 | 360 | W1 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 2–4 | 5–7 | 300 | 388 | W1 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 2 | 14 | 0 | .125 | 1–5 | 2–10 | 308 | 416 | L1 |
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