MIAMI – There was no hesitation by Jamal Anderson, the Pro Bowl running back who usually hits the right hole, when he was asked the exact word to describe the failings of the Falcons in short-yardage situations.
“Unbelievable, it’s unbelievable we couldn’t get that accomplished,” Anderson said. “It was very, very frustrating situation for all of us.”
In his first Super Bowl, Anderson put up respectable numbers, rushing 18 times for 96 yards. When the Falcons fell behind, though, they were forced to throw, which proved disastrous as Chris Chandler tossed three second-half interceptions. Anderson carried the ball only four times after halftime, which is all the proof anyone needs to realize Atlanta’s formula for success was nowhere to be found.
“It was tough,” Anderson said. “The Denver line pursued so well, it’s kind of like pulling teeth. It felt like we had good plays called but for one reason or another we didn’t convert.”
A key 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. That meant three-and-out for the Falcons and a punt.
A second short-yardage situation was much more damaging to the Falcons, as they wasted a glorious opportunity to put points on the board. 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. 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.
Afterward, Reeves questioned himself for going for the first down, rather than attempting a field goal.
“If I had to do it all over again, I would have gone for the field goal,” Reeves said.
Anderson did not win his duel with Terrell Davis – who ran for 102 yards on 25 carries – but the two embraced after the game.
“He’s an unbelievable warrior,” Anderson said. “It’s a pleasure to be in that kind of a battle with him.”
