Feely Keeps His Eye on Ball, Converts 52-Yarder

Jay Feely noticed a flaw in his kicking technique, and the adjustment he made helped the Atlanta Falcons stay in the NFC playoff race.

Feely made all four of his field-goal attempts, including a 52-yarder on the final play, to give Atlanta a 33-30 victory Sunday over the Buffalo Bills.

Before Sunday, Feely was 11 for 18 at the Georgia Dome and 12 for 12 on the road. The game-winner was his second-longest kick of the season. He had a 55-yarder at Arizona.

“I was picking up my head a little early and pulling off the ball,” Feely said. “I’ve worked the last three weeks, and it’s been better, and it was today.”

Chris Chandler overcame flu symptoms to throw for a career-high 431 yards--the best total in team history--and two touchdowns.

He drove the Falcons (7-7) 23 yards to set up Feely’s kick that snapped a three-game losing streak.

It was the first time an Atlanta quarterback threw for more than 400 yards since Steve Bartkowski had 416 on Nov. 15, 1981, against Pittsburgh.

Chandler shrugged off two first-half interceptions for his best passing day since Sept. 20, 1992, when he threw for 383 yards for the Phoenix Cardinals against Dallas. One of his interceptions was returned seven yards for a touchdown by Buffalo linebacker Brandon Spoon.

The quarterback was treated at halftime and nearly missed the start of the third quarter.

“When I was lying there getting those IVs, I just felt totally wiped,” Chandler said. “I didn’t know if I was going to be able to go.”

His performance impressed Buffalo defensive end Phil Hansen.

“At the coin toss, Chandler looked a little pale,” Hansen said. “He said, ‘Hey, man, I’m sick, take it easy on me.’ I laughed, then went back and told the whole defense to get after Chandler, he’s sick.

“Then he turns around and sets a record for yards.”

Shawn Bryson, in the final year of his contract, ran for career-high 130 yards and two touchdowns for Buffalo (2-12).

Buffalo drove 82 yards to tie it at 30 on Alex Van Pelt’s three-yard pass to Eric Moulds with 48 seconds left.

Darrick Vaughn returned the Bills’ ensuing squib kick to the Atlanta 43, setting up the winning drive. Backup running back Rodney Thomas took over for an ineffective Maurice Smith in the second half and finished with 41 of Atlanta’s 68 yards rushing.