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Harrington shines as Falcons top Bengals

Aug 28, 2007 - 3:07 AM ATLANTA (Ticker) -- Ten hours after Michael Vick pleaded guilty to a federal dogfighting charge, the Atlanta Falcons' future may not be as bleak as some have thought.

Joey Harrington, elevated to starter after Vick was ordered by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to stay out of training camp, threw two touchdowns to lead the Falcons to a 24-19 preseason victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday.

Playing for his third team in six seasons, Harrington was sharp in playing one series into the third quarter. He completed 13-of-21 passes for 164 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Harrington also had a sure touchdown pass dropped by Roddy White on the opening possession of the third quarter before giving way to backup Chris Redman.

Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer also played exceptionally well, finishing 15-of-22 for 136 yards and two second-quarter touchdown passes.

The No. 3 overall pick of the Detroit Lions in 2002, Harrington connected with Adam Jennings on a 28-yard touchdown pass for a 7-0 first-quarter lead. Harrington was 5-of-5 for 74 yards on the drive. He added a 12-yard scoring pass to Jerious Norwood midway through the second quarter for a 14-7 lead.

The Bengals tied it at 7-7 when Palmer engineered an impressive 17-play, 83-yard march, capped by an 8-yard scoring pass to Chad Johnson, who finished with five receptions for 83 yards.

Palmer later connected with rookie tight end Daniel Coats on a 7-yard touchdown pass.

Atlanta's running game was non-existent with Norwood gaining 25 yards on nine carries and Warrick Dunn, seeing his first action after back surgery, managing just eight yards on six carries.

Rudi Johnson was impressive for the Bengals, rushing for 69 yards on 13 carries.

Bengals backup quarterback Doug Johnson hooked up with Chris Henry on a 58-yard scoring pass on the first play of the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 24-13.

Noriaki Kinoshita, bidding to become the first Japanese player to make it to the NFL, caught a 12-yard pass in the fourth quarter.