Atlanta Falcons: Top 20 games in franchise history

11) Falcons 31, 49ers  19: November 15, 1998

9 Jan 1999: Terance Mathis #81 of the Atlanta Falcons being tackled by Darnell Walker #38 during the NFC Play Off Game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the 49ers 20-18.

Throw it to Mathis

Many people forget just how good the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers game was midway though the 1998 season. The Falcons led 24-6 behind three fourth quarter touchdowns, but the 49ers were not going to go down easily.

Terrell Owns and Jerry Rice both caught fourth quarter touchdowns to cut into the Falcons lead, but the next Falcons’ possession put the game away for good. Head coach Dan Reeves made a gutsy call to throw the ball and it paid off after Chris Chandler connected with Terance Mathis on a 78-yard touchdown.

With the win the Falcons went on in to the playoffs and defeated the 49ers for the second time.

Next: No. 10