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Falcons pull out late win over Raiders

Matt Bryant

Atlanta Falcons kicker Matt Bryant (3) reacts after missing his first field goal of the year against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Billy Weeks)

AP

In a game that was far closer than it should have been, the Atlanta Falcons moved to 6-0 with a 23-20 win over the Raiders.

Kicker Matt Bryant made a 55-yard field goal with one second left, in response to a late drive from the Raiders to tie the game after Falcons cornerback Asante Samuel jumped a route and gave Atlanta a seven-point lead with less than three minutes to play.

The high-powered Falcons offense wasn’t, with three interceptions and meager rushing numbers. But it was in combination enough to pull coach Mike Smith into a tie with Dan Reeves for the franchise lead in regular-season wins at 49.

And game completes Atlanta’s four-team tour of the AFC West. Their season-opening string also includes wins over the Panthers and Redskins.