Falcons Run Over Testaverde and Jets

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons made Vinny Testaverde look every bit like a 41-year-old quarterback.

Testaverde fumbled three times in the first 17 1/2 minutes, leading to two touchdowns, and the Falcons dealt New York another road loss, beating the Jets, 27-14, on Monday night.

Warrick Dunn rushed for 155 yards, breaking off a 65-yard run in the second quarter that set up a field goal to give the Falcons (5-2) a 20-0 lead.

The first 17 points were handed over by Testaverde, whose three fumbles tied a career worst. He also had a pass intercepted as New York dropped to 0-4 on the road this season.

All beat up, Testaverde left the game late in the third quarter because of a right Achilles’ injury, having gone 11 of 18 for 140 yards. He was replaced by Brooks Bollinger.

Falcon quarterback Michael Vick ran for a couple of touchdowns from one yard out, but it was a dismal night otherwise.

Appearing confused by the Jets’ coverages, he had a career-high three passes intercepted and completed only 11 of 26 for 116 yards with only three completions to wideouts. His passer rating was a grim 16.3 -- the worst of his five-year career.

“I’m the quarterback. It’s all on me. Everything falls on my shoulders,” Vick said. “All I can do is come back the next game, try to get better and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

The Jets (2-5) never seriously challenged until Vick had two passes intercepted in the fourth quarter. Bollinger directed a touchdown drive off the first turnover, and had New York in position to make a game of it until a fourth-down pass at the Falcon 11 was knocked down by Demorrio Williams.

“We have to figure out a way when we get the ball first to put it in the end zone and score some points so that we aren’t playing catch-up the entire game,” Testaverde said.

Jet running back Curtis Martin was held to 28 yards in 14 carries, though he did score on a one-yard run in the fourth quarter. Overall, the Jets managed only 37 yards rushing.

Atlanta, the league’s top rushing team, helped its average with 205 yards on the ground.