Streaking Falcons Have All the Right Moves

Chris Chandler would prefer to throw for touchdowns, though he doesn’t mind runningfor them. Just don’t expect him to do the “Dirty Bird” when he gets to the end zone.

The Atlanta quarterback, bouncing back from a sprained right ankle, ran for one touchdown and threw for two more Sunday as the Falcons won their sixth consecutive game, 28-21, over the Indianapolis Colts.

Chandler shook off five sacks to complete 20 of 28 for 297 yards, his best game in two years with Atlanta.

But it was his three-yard scoring run on the final play of the first half that was key for the NFC West-leading Falcons (11-2), who twice trailed by 14 points.

“The last thing I expected was to run,” said Chandler, who didn’t play in the Falcons’ previous game. “They had all the receivers covered pretty well, but fortunately I had room to run.”

Atlanta, which trailed, 14-0, and, 21-7, went ahead with three touchdowns in just over a three-minute span at the end of the first half and beginning the second.

Jamal Anderson, who rushed for 122 yards in 30 carries, brought the Falcons within 21-14 with a one-yard touchdown run with 1:21 left in the first half. The Colts went three-and-out and Atlanta took advantage with a 66-yard drive in 35 seconds that produced Chandler’s run for a touchdown.

“That was the difference in the ball game,” Indianapolis Coach Jim Mora said. “We had a lead on them, and all of a sudden it’s no lead at all.”

On the first play of the second half, Peyton Manning’s pass over the middle was intercepted by Ray Buchanan, who returned it 18 yards to the Indianapolis 14. Three players later, Chandler put the Falcons ahead, connecting with Terance Mathis for a three-yard touchdown pass.