ATLANTA, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Terrell Owens caught his third touchdown pass 8:44 into overtime Sunday, a 52-yarder from Jeff Garcia that finished off a San Francisco comeback and gave the 49ers a wild 37-31 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
The 49ers (4-1) tied the score at 31-31 with 17 seconds left in regulation when Garcia connected with Owens on a 17-yard pass and Jose Cortez added the extra point. Garcia accounted for more than 400 yards total offense and four touchdowns.
Atlanta (2-3) appeared to have taken control when they overcame a one-point deficit on a 47-yard pass-and-run from Chris Chandler to Brian Finneran. Chandler then hit Shawn Jefferson with a two-point conversion pass to give the Falcons a 31-24 advantage with 2:22 to go in regulation.
Owens was used as a decoy during the first half, during which the Falcons built a 20-7 lead. But the 49ers went to him often after intermission. He caught three passes during a 67-yard drive that opened the third period and cut the San Francisco deficit to 20-10.
Owens also grabbed a 37-yard touchdown pass with 51 seconds left in the third period that brought the 49ers within three.
The Falcons then wasted an opportunity when they recovered a fumble at the 49ers' 19, having to settle for a field goal and a 23-17 lead with 8:49 to go in the fourth quarter.
San Francisco took its first lead, at 24-23, with 4:44 left in regulation when Kevin Barlow capped a 74-yard drive with a two-yard plunge.
The Falcons jumped into a 14-0, first-quarter lead when Chandler threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Bob Christian and set up a two-yard scoring run by Maurice Smith by throwing a 47-yard pass to Alge Crumpler.
San Francisco finally got on the scoreboard five minutes into the second quarter on a seven-yard Garcia keeper, but the Falcons countered with two field goals, the second coming 12 seconds before halftime that rebuilt their lead to 13 points.
Garcia threw for 332 yards and also rushed for 70. Chandler passed for 268 yards and two touchdowns.
San Francisco was in position to end the game early in overtime, having marched to the Atlanta 14 after receiving the kickoff.
But Garcia fumbled the snap and Atlanta recovered to stay alive. After a Falcons punt, however, San Francisco needed just six plays to score the winning touchdown.
