Vick Dives In as Falcons Win

Michael Vick scored the tying touchdown on a 12-yard run with less than two minutes to go in regulation, then Jay Feely kicked a 38-yard field goal in overtime to give the Atlanta Falcons a 34-31 home victory over Carolina, ending the Panthers’ five-game winning streak Saturday night.

Carolina (6-8) got back into playoff contention after a 1-7 start, and the Panthers were as resilient as ever in this one, recovering from two double-digit deficits.

The Panthers went ahead for the first time with a 21-point fourth quarter, only to have the Falcons (11-3) show they know how to bounce back.

“I was not frustrated after they took the lead,” Vick said. “It just motivated me to go out there and put points on the board to win.”

Dez White got the Falcons in position for the tying score with a 54-yard reception.

He caught the ball along the sideline at the Carolina 40, spun around with one hand on the turf and sprinted all the way to the five.

A holding penalty backed up the Falcons, who got down to their final play, fourth-and-goal from the Carolina 12.

Vick spotted an opening up the middle and took off for the end zone, diving across with 1:37 remaining. The officials reviewed the play to see if Vick went down before he crossed the goal line, but replays showed that he kept his left knee suspended about an inch above the turf as he stretched out for the end zone.

Carolina won the coin toss in overtime, but Jake Delhomme overthrew Ricky Proehl down the middle. Aaron Beasley returned the interception 30 yards to the Carolina 23.

Two safe runs set up Feely, who connected on third down to put the Falcons on the brink of clinching the No. 2 seed in the NFC.

Vick had an erratic game, completing 11 of 28 for 154 yards with two interceptions. On the flip side, he threw two touchdown passes and ran eight times for 68 yards.

Delhomme was 24 for 35 for 340 yards, but he had two big fumbles and the game-deciding interception. Muhsin Muhammad had 10 receptions for 135 yards.

Washington 26, San Francisco 16 -- Patrick Ramsey passed for 214 yards and a touchdown, and linebacker Antonio Pierce returned one of Washington’s four interceptions 78 yards for a score at San Francisco.

Clinton Portis rushed for 110 yards, Rod Gardner caught six passes for 111 yards and newcomer Jeff Chandler kicked four field goals for the Redskins (5-9).

Ken Dorsey, making his fifth start in place of injured Tim Rattay, finished 20 for 38 for 206 yards, but the 49ers (2-12) remained on track for the top draft pick.

With losses to Buffalo and New England, San Francisco could match the worst records in franchise history, set in 1978 and 1979.

The 49ers played without top pass-rusher Andre Carter, who has a back injury.