NFC West

Credit Reeves for Falcons' rise

Whether or not Dan Reeves wins the NFL Coach of the Year award, the two-year turnaround the Falcons have made under him stands as one of the most remarkable coaching accomplishments of the '90s.

With last Sunday's 24-17 win at Detroit, the Falcons notched 13 wins for the first time in team history, clinched their first playoff bye and captured their second division rifle, 18 long years after the first. They finished 11-1 vs. the NFC and 7-1 vs. the NFC West, and they are unbeaten at home.

With full control over personnel decisions, Reeves began the turnaround by trading for quarterback Chris Chandler, signing transition free-agent cornerback Ray Buchanan from the Colts and drafting players to fit his physical style of play, including tight end O.J. Santiago and guard Calvin Collins. Reeves also assembled a coaching staff that included former NFL head coaches Rich Brooks as defensive coordinator and Art Shell as offensive line coach.

But success often has a price and, soberingly, Reeves nearly paid the ultimate one. He intentionally ignored symptoms of coronary artery disease so long he may have come within hours of a catastrophic heart attack, his doctors say. After experiencing a stronger burning sensation in his chest during the Falcons' 27-17 win at New Orleans two weeks ago, Reeves was hospitalized the next day for quadruple bypass surgery.

Reeves is doing well, and he may try to coach from the press box in Sunday's finale. He'll be back on the sideline during the playoffs, and after that he'll get to work on the biggest challenge of all: making the Falcons winners for the long term.

Atlanta

13-2: 1st

Team will benefit from clinching West title early

By clinching the division title and first-round bye with a game to play, the team has given coach Dan Reeves trine to ease back into the job. Reeves underwent unplanned coronary bypass surgery December 14 and missed last Sunday's win at Detroit. Reeves has indicated he may participate in this week's game planning and could coach from the press box Sunday against Miami, but his advisers likely will try to talk him into taking it easy as much as possible. Reeves' doctors say they foresee no reason he won't be on the sideline for the playoffs, especially because the team doesn't play until January 9 or 10.... Because the Vikings have clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, the Falcons have nothing to play for in their finale. So the coaches probably will limit the exposure of the starters to injury against Miami. Among the players who could get playing time are QB Steve DeBerg, rookie RB Ken Oxendine, veteran RB Harold Green and rookie LB Keith Brooking, the team's first-round pick. Brooking could start for weakside LB Cornelius Bennett, who sustained minor knee ligament damage December 13 against New Orleans. John Burrough probably will start for DE tester Archambeau, who has a fractured thumb. Several other players have nicks and bruises, including G Gene Williams (shoulder) and DE Chuck Smith (ankle), and they'll be given time to heal.... Brian Kozlowski played well enough against the Lions to hold onto the fullback job, which he assumed because of Bob Christian's season-ending knee injury December 13.

REST TIME; The injury that will be watched most over the next couple of weeks is Bennett's sprained knee. It's a good bet the team will limit his exposure to contact over the next three weeks and rest him Sunday. Archambeau also may be held out Sunday, but it's unclear whether he'll be able to have the cast removed over his broken thumb before the playoff opener.

GOAL-LINE STAND: That Archambeau didn't even make fourth alternate on the Pro Bowl team only means those who vote weren't paying attention. Archambeau has been a force on a defense that has ranked No. 2 against the run much of the year. Archambeau has a career-high 10 sacks and leads the team with seven fumbles caused, and he's fourth in tackles with 74. Another player who probably should have made it is WR Terance Mathis, who not only has put up good numbers (63 catches for 1,126 yards), but also has made countless clutch plays. --Tony Fabrizio

GRADING OUT vs. Detroit

OFFENSE B

Another punishing game by Jamal Anderson; clutch throw by Chris Chandler.

DEFENSE B

Three takeaways, and the Lions were held to three points in the second half.

SPECIAL TEAMS B

Extra effort by return man Tim Dwight will pay off eventually.

STRATEGY A

Rich Brooks and other staff had team well-prepared in Reeves' absence.

FALCONS

PASSING           Att.     Comp.      Pct.      Yds.      Long
Chandler           324       187      57.7      3036       78t
Deberg              49        25      51.0       284        29

PASSING             TD      Int.      Rate     Sacks
Chandler            23        12      97.5        45
Deberg               2         1      73.9         6

RUSHING           Att.      Yds.      Avg.        TD
J. Anderson        392      1743       4.4        13
Chandler            35       118       3.4         2
Green               14        31       2.2         0

RECEIVING          No.      Yds.      Avg.        TD
Mathis              63      1126      17.9        11
Martin              63      1076      17.1         5
J. Anderson         27       319      11.8         2

SCORING            XPM       XPA       FGM       FGA      Pts.
Andersen            46        47      22          26       112

PUNTING            No.      Yds.      Avg.      Blk.
Stryzinski          72      2877      40.0         0

KO RETURNS         No.      Yds.      Avg.        TD
Dwight              33       887      26.9         1

PUNT RETURNS       No.      Yds.      Avg.        TD
Dwight              30       252       8.4         0