NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Each NFL team’s out of nowhere season

By Randy Gurzi

15 Nov 1998: Running back Jamal Anderson #32 and wide receiver Terance Mathis #81 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrate during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the 49ers 31-19.
15 Nov 1998: Running back Jamal Anderson #32 and wide receiver Terance Mathis #81 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrate during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the 49ers 31-19. /
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Jamal Anderson, Atlanta Falcons
Jamal Anderson, Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Harry How /Allsport /

Atlanta Falcons: 1998 Dirty Birds

In 1998, the Atlanta Falcons shocked the entire NFL by making their first-ever trip to the Super Bowl. They weren’t expected to be contenders following a 7-9 mark in 1997, but head coach Dan Reeves reeled off nine-straight wins to finish 14-2 which gave them the No. 2 seed in the NFC.

Making things more dramatic, Reeves was dealing with blocked arteries and ended up having quadruple bypass surgery, which caused him to miss Week 15 and 16 before returning for the Falcons’ playoff run.

Strong on both sides of the ball that season, Atlanta finished fourth in the league in scoring and fourth in the fewest points allowed. But it was their swagger that really set this team apart. Running back Jamal Anderson had a career year, rushing for 1,846 yards and 14 touchdowns and after each one of those scores he broke out his patented ‘Dirty Bird’ dance. To this day, the Falcons have that moniker which he made famous.

Everyone on the team fed off the energy that Anderson brought and fans loved the bruising style of play that the 237-pound back brought to the table. His ability to take over a game helped the entire offense, including quarterback Chris Chandler, a journeyman who played 18 NFL seasons and made the Pro Bowl in 1997 and 1998, while sharing the backfield with Anderson.

The Falcons’ signature game of this historic season was their shocking overtime victory versus the 15-1 Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship. Morten Andersen would make his clutch kick, while Vikings kicker Gary Anderson did not.

Atlanta ended up losing to John Elway and the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII down in Miami, but the Falcons’ historic run still resonates with the team as it gave them their identity as the Dirty Birds.

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