Orchard Park, N.Y. – Everyone knows what Michael Vick can do with his legs. Now the Atlanta Falcons’ dynamic quarterback is showing he can win games with his arm, too.
Hindered by a hamstring injury, Vick concentrated on developing a pocket-passer mentality, leading the Falcons to a 24-16 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
“I learned a lot this week,” Vick said. “This is a big game for me, and I think it’s going to help me in the long run.”
Vick had his share of big runs, finishing with 64 yards on nine carries, including a 27-yarder that left three defenders diving for air. But he also showed patience, poise and resilience in taking a couple of big hits from a blitzing defense to spread the ball to six receivers.
Vick finished 15-of-27 for 167 yards passing – his most in seven starts – two touchdowns and an interception.
Coach Jim Mora saw it coming, saying Vick had indicated last week he intended on passing more after being hurt at the end of a 21-18 loss at Seattle in Week 2 of the season.
“Now I don’t know if I saw a different kind of quarterback, because when it got right down to it, he still was able to make plays running,” Mora said. “But he did make some key plays with his arm.
“You get glimpses of these great things that he’s capable of, and you’re going to see it on a consistent basis.”
Warrick Dunn, with 97 yards rushing, and T.J. Duckett, with 75 yards rushing and a touchdown, picked up the slack, while the Falcons’ banged up defense held the Bills in check, limiting them to 208 yards.
Dwayne Blakley had a 9-yard touchdown reception and Mi- chael Jenkins a 15-yarder helping Atlanta (2-1) snap a four-game road losing streak dating to last season.
The Bills (1-2) have lost two straight and can’t get their offense going.
First-year starter J.P. Losman finished 10-of-23 for 75 yards with an interception and a lost fumble.
Willis McGahee had a career- high 140 yards rushing and scored Buffalo’s lone touchdown, an 8-yarder up the middle.
