ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons had the perfect opponent after two heartbreaking losses.

Michael Vick throws under pressure from Tony Williams. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        “We needed this game,” Atlanta's Patrick Kerney said after beating the hapless Bengals 30-3 Sunday night. “We didn't even want it to be a close game. They're struggling and we needed to send a message that we're a great team.”

        The Falcons (1-2) began the season with an overtime loss at Green Bay, followed by a one-point defeat to Chicago when they missed a field goal in the final minute.

        This time, Atlanta didn't have to worry about losing one at the end.

        “Finally,” coach Dan Reeves said. “The guys have really been close the last two weeks.”

        The Falcons gave a game ball to new owner Arthur Blank, who was part of the second straight sellout crowd at the Georgia Dome.

        “Hopefully, that will be the first of many,” Reeves said.

        Falcons quarterback Michael Vick outgained the Bengals by himself. He completed 16 of 26 passes for 174 yards and pulled off several scintillating runs, finishing with 56 yards on the ground.

        “I felt I could basically take over the game,” Vick said.

        After field goals by Jay Feely on their first two possessions, the Falcons turned Vick loose and blew the game open.

        The speedy quarterback scrambled for 7 yards to convert a third-and-6. He turned a broken play into a 14-yard gain. Finally, on third-and-1 at the Cincinnati 20, Vick play-faked the Bengals and gunned a touchdown pass to Brian Finneran over the middle.

        Atlanta scored again after Cincinnati's Nick Harris shanked a 17-yard punt, taking over at the Bengals 24. Five plays later, Vick rolled left and hit Finneran cutting across the goal line for a 13-yard touchdown.

        “It's like being back in high school again,” Finneran said. “You can run around and pretty much do whatever you want. That's what (Vick) does. He's unbelievable.”

        Notes: The Falcons also presented a game ball to former President Jimmy Carter, who was a guest of Blank's. ... Cincinnati TE Sean Brewer left the game in the first half with a sprained left knee. ... The Bengals have thrown at least one interception in 14 straight games, a dubious team record. ... Falcons C Todd McClure left the game in the fourth quarter with a knee injury. Rookie Martin Bibla, who began snapping just a few days earlier, went the rest of the way without any problems. ... Atlanta rookie RB T.J. Duckett led the team with 67 yards on 18 carries.

Falcons 30, Bengals 3 Bengals-Falcons statistics Bengals Notebook: Forget playoffs at 0-3 Falcons happy with first victory Monday Night NFL Preview

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