Falcons Are Quick to Pick Up for Vick

ATLANTA —  Michael Vick’s performance tailed off considerably from the previous two weeks, but that didn’t keep the Atlanta Falcons from extending their longest winning streak in five seasons.

Defensive end Patrick Kerney scored on a fumble return and T.J. Duckett had a touchdown run in a 20-17 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

Vick had been spectacular in victories over Carolina and New Orleans, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to rush for more than 90 yards in two consecutive games.

Against a Raven defense that stepped up its play without Ray Lewis, Vick completed only 12 of 24 passes for 136 yards, was sacked three times, had minus-five yards rushing, fumbled twice and threw his first interception of the season.

Still, the Falcons (5-3) won their fourth in a row -- the team’s longest streak since 1998, the season they reached the Super Bowl. “You’re going to have games like this,” Vick said. “My performance overall was not good, but we got the win. That’s what counts.”

The Falcons lost a 14-point lead, but went ahead for good on Jay Feely’s 40-yard field goal with 2:02 left in the third quarter.

Atlanta had built a 17-3 lead when Duckett, sidelined the previous game with a foot injury, scored on a one-yard run in the second quarter.

The Ravens (3-5) pulled within 17-10 with 1:56 left in the half on Jeff Blake’s seven-yard touchdown pass to Travis Taylor, culminating a nine-play, 92-yard drive

Baltimore scored on its first possession of the second half, with fullback Alan Ricard rambling up the middle for a 19-yard touchdown. But, the Ravens failed to move into Falcon territory the rest of the game.