Orchard Park, NY

Thanks in large part to four interceptions of Michael Vick, the Buffalo Bills knocked off the Philadelphia Eagles, 31-24 Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

With the win, the Bills improve to 4-1 – matching their best start since 2008. The Eagles fall to 1-4 – their worst start since 1999.

The fourth interception of Vick proved to be the difference. The Eagles stormed back in the second half – down by 21 points in the third quarter – to come within seven points of evening the score, thanks to touchdowns from LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson.

Trailing 31-24 with less than two minutes remaining, Vick looked for Jason Avant, but Bills cornerback Drayton Florence made a nice play to tip the ball, helping Nick Barnett secure his second interception of the contest.

"It was a great play," said Florence of the game-clinching interception. "We preach turnovers all throughout the week and we are lucky to get four or five off of Vick...I tried to get the pick, but I broke it up and Nick Barnett was just in the right place to get the interception."

Barnett also intercepted Vick in the second quarter, returning it 31 yards for a touchdown to give the Bills a 21-7 lead at the half. The touchdown marks only the second time in team history the Bills have returned an interception for a score in three consecutive weeks.

"Hats off to the Buffalo Bills," said Eagles head coach Andy Reid. "You can't have five turnovers and win a game in the National Football League."

"Some of them are tipped and some of them are straight shots, where guys just pick them off," Vick said. "You hate that balls are tipped because you can't control that. But an interception is an interception and you just can't have them in this game."

The first interception of Vick, made by Reggie Corner, put the Bills at their own 46-yard line. Fred Jackson carried the ball six times on the ensuing possession, including a 5-yard touchdown to open the game's scoring. Jackson finished the contest with 26 carries for 111 yards.

The Eagles tied things up early in the second quarter when Vick connected with Jeremy Maclin for a 2-yard touchdown. But the Bills regained control of the lead – maintaining it the rest of the way – on the drive that followed when David Nelson caught a 6-yard touchdown from Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Brad Smith helped the Bills to a 28-7 lead, scoring on a 5-yard quarterback draw – his first touchdown since joining the team.

While the Bills only sacked Vick once, they applied steady pressure throughout the contest, forcing him to throw off his back foot or on the run.

"We were trying to confuse Michael, trying to keep him off balance," said Bills head coach Chan Gailey. "We didn't exactly slow him down. They've got amazing talent on that side of the ball."

Vick completed 26 of 40 passing attempts for 315 yards with two touchdowns. He also ran for 90 yards, becoming the NFL's all-time leading rusher at the quarterback position, surpassing Randall Cunningham.

Twitter: @ihavenet

Copyright 2011, AHN - All Rights Reserved