Returns Favor the Falcons

Michael Vick was shaky. Ryan Leaf was rusty. Darrien Gordon was dazzling.

The 30-year-old journeyman had two long punt returns in the fourth quarter Sunday, setting up a touchdown and field goal that carried the Atlanta Falcons to a sloppy 20-13 victory over the Dallas Cowboys.

Gordon had three returns for 139 yards--averaging 46.3 yards each time he touched the ball. He stole the spotlight from Vick, the No. 1 draft pick making his first pro start in Atlanta, and Leaf, starting for the first time with the Cowboys.

“It was like we draw it up in practice,” Gordon said. “Just find the hole and hit it.”

The Falcons (4-4) won without quarterback Chris Chandler, sidelined because of a rib injury.

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Vick started, then alternated with third-stringer Doug Johnson in the second half. The Falcons trailed, 13-10, until Johnson’s one-yard touchdown pass to Brian Kozlowski with 5:20 remaining.

Gordon set up that touchdown with a 74-yard return. Then his 41-yard return set up Jay Feely’s 19-yard field goal with 1:11 left.

Leaf, trying to turn around his disappointing career, was the fourth quarterback to start for the Cowboys (2-6) this season--a first in team history. He completed 14 of 22 passes, for only 114 yards.