MIAMI – They would not have been here without a punishing, dominating running game, an attack that produced big plays and little ones.
The Falcons entered Super Bowl XXXIII with a devastating running game, fueled by Jamal Anderson, and much of the success can be traced to excellence in picking up first downs.
That ability was nowhere to be seen last night, and as the Falcons limped in at halftime trailing 17-6, their failures in short-yardage situations cost Atlanta points, opportunities and led to their deficit.
On their first possession, the Falcons were able to convert when Chris Chandler gained two yards on a keeper. That small but important pick-up helped set up a 32-yard Morten Anderson field goal and a 3-0 Falcons lead.
Keeping drives going, though, was something the Falcons could not accomplish on a consistent basis.
Another short-yardage situation came late in the first quarter, after Anderson ran for nine yards to the Atlanta 36.
On third-and-1, the Falcons tried nothing fancy, giving the ball to Anderson as they have so often this season. This time, defensive end Alfred Williams shed a block attempt by O.J. Santiago and slammed into Anderson, punctuating the tackle for no gain with a joyous celebration.The second short-yardage situation was much more damaging to the Falcons as they wasted a glorious opportunity to put points on the board.
An alert play by cornerback Ronnie Bradford – who picked off a deflection off Shannon Sharpe’s hands for an interception – put the Falcons offense in business on the Denver 35.
After Tim Dwight ran for five yards and Anderson for four, the Falcons had another third-and-1, this time from the Denver 27.
Anderson was stopped short by middle linebacker Glenn Cadrez on the first play of the second quarter. Dan Reeves decided to go for broke and not go for a 43-yard field goal. That thinking was fine and aggressive but the play Reeves selected left much to be desired.
Needing one yard, Reeves called for a pitch-right to Anderson, who started off deep in the backfield and never had a chance to even get back to the line of scrimmage before Cadrez turned him inside and Keith Traylor finished him off for a dismal two-yard loss.
