Bills Rout Falcons From Start to Finish : Interconference: Davis rushes for a career-high 181 yards and scores two touchdowns during a 41-14 victory.

The Buffalo Bills might have stumbled a few weeks ago, but the Atlanta Falcons believe the two-time defending AFC champions have returned to top form.

The Bills scored touchdowns on their first five possessions Sunday en route to a 41-14 victory over the Falcons.

“I’ve been here on numerous occasions with other teams and I don’t think I’ve ever seen the Buffalo Bills look any better,” Falcon Coach Jerry Glanville said. “They might be the class of the league right now.”

The Bills’ offense, ranked second in the NFL, was helped by a defense that shut the Falcons down and helped set up Buffalo’s excellent field position.

“It is like a dream come true,” Buffalo linebacker Carlton Bailey said of the early stand by the Bills’ defense. “You want to have as many three-and-outs as possible.”

Steve Tasker, the Bills’ Pro Bowl special teams player, set the tone on the opening kickoff when he knocked Deion Sanders out of mid-air at the Atlanta nine. The Falcons went three plays and out, and the Buffalo barrage began.

By the time the first quarter was over, the Bills (9-2) were ahead, 28-0. It was the most points ever in a first quarter against the Falcons (4-7), who were trailing, 38-7, at halftime.

Carwell Gardner scored for the Bills on a two-yard run four minutes into the first quarter. Jim Kelly connected with Pete Metzelaars for a three-yard touchdown pass play, then hooked up with Andre Reed for a 15-yard scoring play.

Thurman Thomas gained 44 of his 103 yards on a run that ended at the Atlanta one before Kenneth Davis scored the first of his two touchdowns.

Davis, who also scored on a 64-yard run, replaced Thomas in the second quarter and finished with a career-high 181 yards in 20 carries.

“They (the Bills’ coaches) told us all week that if we get past the linebackers, there would be nothing but open field out there because of their blitzing,” Davis said.

Although he was knocked down by Tasker on the opening kickoff, Sanders still made the play of the game near the end of the second quarter. Lineman Roman Fortin took a short kickoff and lateraled to Tony Smith, who then lateraled to Sanders at the Falcon 27. Sanders cut back to the opposite side of the field and outran kicker Steve Christie 73 yards into the end zone.

Christie added two second-half field goals, and Atlanta’s offense finally scored on a one-yard touchdown reception by Drew Hill with 1:06 left to play.

“This isn’t the true Atlanta Falcons,” Atlanta defensive lineman Tim Green said. “Games like this and the (San Franicsco) 49er games (two other blowouts the Falcons absorbed) are . . . aberrations.”