Atlanta, Georgia (AP)--

Chris Crocker breaks up a pass intended for Terry Glenn.

After a much awaited return, Michael Vick can dust off the wand and pixy dust and prepare to present some January magic.
After defeated the Dallas Cowboys 27-17 on Saturday night, the Falcons booked a spot in the 2007 NFL Playoffs, their first playoff appearance since 2004, where they came within one win of going to the Superbowl.
For the second straight week, Vick would give the Falcons fan a scare going down with an injury, however backup quarterback Matt Schaub played his role well as he led the Falcons to the win while passing for 107 yards and a score in the second half.
The game took a huge turn in early in the second half, as the offseason acquisition of John Abraham finally started to make sense. With the score tied 10-10 Cowboys QB Drew Bledsoe went back to pass, but was hit from the blind side by Abraham jarring the football free, which was recovered by DeAngelo Hall. The turnover led to a huge momentum shift, as the Falcons would score back to back touchdowns in quick succession to build a comfortable lead which they would never give up.
The Cowboys got off to a quick start in the first quarter as Bledsoe hooked up with Terrell Owens twice to convert on two third and long situations, which would move Dallas into range for a 52 yard field goal courtesy of Mike Vanderjagt and a early 3-0 lead for the Cowboys.
After playing the first quarter safe, using Warrick Dunn to pick up yards running the football, the Falcons started to test the Cowboys secondary in the second quarter. Vick would use the west coast orientated offense well, as he hooked up with Michael Jenkins four times for 45 yards on short patterns in a touchdown scoring drive which ended with a 1 yard pass from Vick to fullback Justin Griffith.
The 7-3 lead for the Falcons would be short lived as the Cowboys would be soon to counter with a touchdown of their own coming off another long third down conversion. Faced with the tough situation of third and long, Bledsoe was able to read the Falcons blitz, and release a quick pass to Terry Glenn, before being hit. Glenn would break a Jason Webster tackle and outrun the rest of the Falcons secondary for the long 79 yard, silencing the Georgia Dome after they were still on their emotional high from the Falcons touchdown.

John Abraham’s sack and force fumble would end up being the turning point for the Falcons.

Soon after giving up the lead, things would then go from bad to worse for the Falcons. After completing a short pass to Ashley Lelie, Vick would come up holding his shoulder, the same shoulder that he injured last week at Tampa Bay. After the pass Vick’s throwing arm was sandwiched in between himself and Jason Ferguson’s helmet. Fans would fear the worse, as Vick wouldn’t return in the game after being diagnosed with a strained tricep and his status for next week’s game against the Panthers is still uncertain pending an MRI.
Matt Schaub, a starter-waiting-to-happen, replaced Vick and played well straight from the start completing passes. However after the drive stalled Jim Mora was faced with a tough situation of whether to attempt a long field goal or punt. The field goal decision paid off after Michael Koenen connected from 54 yards out to tie to the game at 10-10, which is what the score would remain to be at halftime.
Knowing that a win would guarantee a playoff berth or even a division title, it was clear that the Falcons were determined to win this game, but knew that they would have to do it the hard way with no Vick, and a pass defense which makes the eyes of Owens and Glenn open up wide.
Bledsoe and company were quick to settle into a groove in the second half trying the regain a lead and make the Falcons play catch up with their backup under center. However just when it looked like the Cowboys were taking over, Abraham would come from nowhere for the big sack and fumble. Hall’s recovery and short return completed the huge turnaround and put the Falcons in prime position to take the lead.
After a sub-par first half, Dunn would become more of a factor as the offensive leader picking up big gains on runs to move the Falcons in the endzone. Dunn would go over the 1500 yard plateau for the first time in his career after his 113 yard rushing performance. Schaub would find Alge Crumpler from 13 yards out for the go ahead score for his first completion for a TD this season.
Schaub would continue to take advantage of the momentum from Abraham sack, as he went on a tear completing 6 straight passes, a-la Vick in last weeks improbable victory, as the Falcons would add on another touchdown to take a commanding 24-10 lead. The score came courtesy of another rookie, Jerious Norwood on a 9 yard run.
Fighting for the own playoff rights, the Cowboys would go away and cut the score to 24-17 early in the forth quarter with another long touchdown pass. This time Bledsoe found Owens, who broke a Hall tackle and ran in for a 61 yard score. Owens and Hall were engaged in a battle all night long where the two would continue to go after each other physically and verbally after the play was dead. In the end Owens would come out the winner, numbers wise, with 5 catches for 120 yards and the touchdown.

Alge Crumpler makes the catch down the sideline for a big gain.

In the end the Cowboys defense wouldn’t be strong enough to contain Schaub as a long 45 yard completion to Alge Crumpler would set up a 23 yarder by Koenen giving the Falcons a 27-17 lead, which they would maintain to get the win and a ticket to the ride known as the NFL Playoffs.
Before the game came to an end, Bledsoe would suffer an injury off his own after being hit in head going back to pass. Tony Romo would take over for the Cowboys, but would prove to be of little significance as his third down pass for Glenn would be picked off by Chris Crocker sealing the win, and setting the Cowboys home pondering their playoff chance with a .500 record, in the NFC where five playoff spots are already secure.
With the New Orleans Saints beating the Washington Redskins, the NFC South is still up in the air, but a win next week for Atlanta would give that title to the Falcons, as they are down to their two final games, both crucial games, against the Panther and Eagles, in their quest to secure a first round bye and possible home field advantage.

Game Boxscore.