Vick, Falcons pound Rams

Michael Vick brought his running shoes to the Atlanta Falcons’ home opener Sunday, but it was their defense that saved the game.

Defensive end Brady Smith scored a fourth-quarter touchdown when he stripped the ball from Marc Bulger in the end zone and caught the fumble in the air, and Aaron Beasley ended the Rams’ next drive with an interception to lift the Falcons past St. Louis Rams 34-17.

Warrick Dunn ran for two touchdowns before leaving with a sprained left knee.

Vick had 12 carries for 109 yards, the third 100-yard rushing game of his career, and Atlanta (2-0) beat the Rams (1-1) for the first time since Atlanta’s 1998 Super Bowl season. Vick was 14 of 19 for 179 yards and a touchdown.

Bulger completed 24 of 31 passes for 285 yards with a touchdown and an interception, but he was sacked five times. Torry Holt caught nine passes for 121 yards and a touchdown, and Isaac Bruce added eight catches for 102 yards. The Rams were held to 30 yards rushing, including 20 yards on 12 carries for Marshall Faulk.

Saints 30, 49ers 27

New Orleans survived it all: Hurricane Ivan, the loss of Deuce McAllister, and San Francisco.

Aaron Brooks rallied the Saints in the final two minutes, taking them 59 yards and hitting Donte’ Stallworth for a 16-yard TD and a victory in New Orleans.

Ashley Ambrose intercepted Ken Dorsey’s pass with :04 left to preserve the victory.

The 49ers got down to the Saints’ 1-yard line when Terry Jackson pulled in a pass, but offensive pass interference against Brian Jennings nullified the play. On the next play, Ambrose grabbed Dorsey’s pass.

Patriots 23, Cardinals 12

Make it 17 victories in a row and counting for the New England Patriots.

A sometimes sloppy performance by the Super Bowl champions still was enough for a victory over Arizona in Tempe, Ariz.

Corey Dillon gained 158 yards on 32 carries and Tom Brady threw two first-half touchdown passes to Daniel Graham for New England.