Falcons lead Jets 27-7 after third quarter

10/24/2005 11:44 PM

By CHARLES ODUM
AP Sports Writer

ATLANTA (AP) - Michael Vick scored two touchdowns on 1-yard runs and rookie defensive end Chauncey Davis returned a fumble 24 yards for a score as the Atlanta Falcons took advantage of four turnovers by Vinny Testaverde in leading the New York Jets 27-7 after three quarters Monday night.

The 41-year-old Testaverde left in the third quarter with a right Achilles' injury after losing three fumbles and throwing an interception.

Warrick Dunn, who rushed for 135 yards through three quarters, set up the second of two field goals by Todd Peterson with a 65-yard run in the second quarter.

Three of the Jets' first four drives ended with lost fumbles by Testaverde. About 2 minutes into the second quarter, he had matched his career high for fumbles in a game.

Testaverde recovered to lead a long drive, capped by his TD run from the 1 late in the half.

Due to constant pressure from the Falcons' pass rush, Testaverde was limping with less than 5 minutes left in the third quarter. Backup Brooks Bollinger was already warming up on the sideline when Testaverde threw a pass that was intercepted by Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall.

When the Jets took possession again, with 1:03 left in the third quarter, Bollinger was at quarterback.

Hit by Falcons defensive tackle Rod Coleman on his second play, Bollinger lost the ball in what originally was called a fumble. Following a review, the play was ruled an incomplete pass, sparing Jets quarterbacks their fifth turnover.

On a game-opening drive kept alive by Vick's 16-yard run on third-and-9, the Falcons got to the Jets 30 before being stopped by a penalty.

A 26-yard pass from Vick to tight end Alge Crumpler would have set up a first down near the Jets 5, but the Falcons were penalized for an illegal shift on the play. After two incomplete passes, the Falcons punted instead of trying a field goal from about 53 yards.

Only two plays into their first possession, the Jets turned the ball over on a fumbled snap from new center Pete Kendall to Testaverde.

Kendall moved over from left guard after six-time Pro Bowl center Kevin Mawae suffered a season-ending triceps injury last week.

On second-and-1 from the 19, Testaverde backed away from Kendall before receiving the snap, and free safety Bryan Scott recovered the fumble at the 20.

A 6-yard run by Dunn left the Falcons with a third down at the 1. Vick ran left, faked a pass that fooled safety Kerry Rhodes, and ran over the cone untouched for the touchdown.

On the Jets' second possession, Testaverde fumbled when sacked by defensive tackle Antwan Lake, a fill-in starter as Chad Lavalais was held out with back spasms. Patrick Kerney recovered the fumble at the Jets 26.

The fumble was upheld following an appeal by Jets coach Herman Edwards.

After Justin Griffith gained 19 yards on a run up the middle to the 7, the Falcons settled for Peterson's field goal.

Testaverde's troubles continued in the second quarter when the Jets took possession at their 37. On first down, Coleman charged past Kendall and tossed Testaverde to the ground, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Davis, who ran 24 yards for the touchdown and a 17-0 lead.

After Peterson's second field goal, this one from 41 yards, pushed the lead to 20-0, Justin Miller had a kickoff return for a touchdown called back due to a holding penalty on Kenyatta Wright.

The Jets recovered for a 73-yard touchdown drive. The big play of the drive was a 35-yard pass from Testaverde to Justin McCareins, who beat Hall.

After Curtis Martin gained 2 yards on fourth-and-1 from the 3, Testevarde scored on a keeper, cutting Atlanta's lead to 20-7.

With 29 seconds left in the half, Vick's pass for Crumpler was intercepted by Jonathan Vilma.

Vick's second rushing touchdown capped a 13-play drive that took almost half of the third quarter, but the Falcons had to convert two fourth-down plays. Dunn rushed for 5 yards on a fourth and 1 play to the Jets' 34.

After Dunn's 7-yard run set up a first-and-goal at the 1, the Jets' defense made three stops. Vick finally high-stepped through the right side of the line on fourth down for the touchdown and a 27-7 lead.

Falcons defensive end Brady Smith left the game in the first half with an injury reported as a dislocated big toe on his right foot.