Vick Brings Falcons Back

Michael Vick showed the San Diego Chargers what they could have had.

After struggling for three quarters, Vick rallied the Atlanta Falcons from a 10-point deficit with an electrifying display in the fourth. He ran for one touchdown, threw for another and then helped run out the clock in a 21-20 victory Sunday.

“I feel like I can do almost anything,” he said.

Vick could have been with the Chargers, but they traded the No. 1 pick in the 2001 draft to the Falcons.

San Diego did just fine on its end, winding up with LaDaimian Tomlinson and others. And, in the first meeting of the teams since the deal, the Chargers had the upper hand for 45 minutes.

But, as the final quarter unfolded, they probably wished they had kept Vick.

“It was time to step up and forget everything that happened beforehand,” Vick said. “I knew what the situation was. I had to come back and make some plays.”

Vick threw for 130 of his 218 yards in the fourth quarter.

The Falcons (5-1) matched their win total from last season, when they struggled to 5-11 with Vick missing most of the year because of a broken leg.

San Diego (3-3) led, 17-7, when the Falcons got the ball in the first minute of the fourth.

To that point, Vick had not shown that he would be able to bring them back. Even with his first touchdown pass in four weeks, he was only seven for 16 for 88 yards at that point, and had two carries for seven yards.

Suddenly, No. 7 came alive, needing only four plays to reach the end zone. He threw a 50-yard pass to Peerless Price, then broke off an eight-yard run. Finally, Vick scooted 14 yards for his first rushing touchdown of the season.

The Chargers went three-and-out and Vick trotted back out at the San Diego 47, the good field position the result of Allen Rossum’s 17-yard punt return.

Vick ran for six yards and drew a face-mask penalty. Two plays later, he pump-faked and lofted a 32-yard touchdown pass to Dez White, who beat two defenders in the left corner with 10:12 left.

San Diego drove to the Atlanta 10, but settled for Nate Kaeding’s second field goal, a 28-yarder with 6:04 remaining. Kaeding also kicked a 53-yarder in the third quarter.

The Chargers were out of timeouts, and they couldn’t get the ball back from Vick. He threw a 20-yard pass to Alge Crumpler, then sealed the victory with a 24-yarder to Justin Griffith.

“We were on the sideline telling Vick to be Vick,” teammate Chad Lavalais said. “He may look bad at the beginning, but he always finishes strong. I’m glad he’s on our team.”

Coach Jim Mora did his best to deflect attention from his quarterback, even growing a bit testy at the repeated questions about Vick.

“With all respect, it’s not about Michael Vick,” Mora said. “Too much is made about No. 7. It’s not all about No. 7.”