Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, September 26, 1994 TAG: 9411090018
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ANDREA KUHN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
The Falcons' run-and-shoot offense got off to a slow start, but with the help of a predictable Redskins defense Atlanta rebounded in the second half to pick up its first victory at RFK Stadium, 27-20.
``They really didn't come up with anything different,'' Jones said. ``It was the same thing that Kansas City and Detroit and even LA [Rams] threw at us. They maybe had some different people out there, but it was the same looks.''
Like Atlanta's three other opponents, the Redskins were concentrating on shutting down Pro Bowl wide receiver Andre Rison. Under the watchful eye of cornerback Darrell Green, Rison was held to 74 yards on four catches.
But that didn't stop the Falcons from throwing or scoring. Quarterback Jeff George found receiver Terance Mathis on a 4-yard touchdown pass on Atlanta's first drive.
George had difficulty maneuvering his offense the rest of the half, in part because he spent a good deal of it flat on his back. The Redskins registered six sacks and took a 13-7 lead into the break.
Jones said he challenged the Falcons' offensive line at halftime and the results were obvious.
The Falcons scored 17 points in the third quarter, including a 31-yard touchdown from George to rookie receiver Bert Emmanuel. It was the first professional touchdown for Emmanuel, a converted quarterback from Rice.
``The offensive line stayed up upfront,'' George said. ``The bottom line is they protected me in the second half. They knew what they had to do to protect me.''
George said the Redskins' pass rush was the toughest he had faced all season.
``They had some players. They had some guys and they came hard and that causes a lot of problems for us,'' George said.
Linebacker Ken Harvey said the Redskins could tell their pressure defense in the first half had shaken up George, a quick passer in his first season with Atlanta.
``But then they get going and you can't stop them,'' Harvey said.
After such a prolific first half defensively, the Redskins came up with no sacks in the second half. They gave up 173 yards of total offense.
``Our strategy was to let them nickel-and-dime us down the field, to take as many plays as possible rather than give up the big play,'' Washington defensive back Martin Bayless said. ``We sacked them six times and if you don't give up the big plays, usually you don't lose.''
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by CNB