Atlanta’s sports franchises won significant victories over world class contenders this past weekend.

First, the Atlanta Falcons overpowered the hapless Washington Redskins — knocking out star quarterback Robert “RG3” Griffin III in the process. Griffin, 22, left the game in the 3rd quarter following a vicious clothesline hit from Atlanta linebacker Sean Weatherspoon.

Griffin suffered a cut lip and what the Redskins described as a “mild concussion”. It was more like a case of lost nerves. RG3’s NFL career will be brief if he heads to the locker room after every NFL-size hit. He’s playing with the big boys now. He will need to toughen up.

The Falcons went on to defeat the Redskins by a score of 24-17 to remain undefeated at 5-0 for the first time in Falcons franchise history.

Then on Sunday, Josh Smith and the Atlanta Hawks stomped all over LeBron James and the world champion Miami Heat 92-79 in their first preseason game. James finished with 10 points. Former Boston Celtics star guard Ray Allen, who made his debut in a Miami Heat uniform, was no help. He contributed 10 points and 5 assists in the loss to Atlanta.

Chris Bosh had a game high 22 points and 6 rebounds. And Smith finished with 21 points and 4 rebounds for Atlanta. Miami’s star guard Dwyane Wade did not play. He is still nursing his left knee.

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  • Photos: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images North America