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ATLANTA (Ticker) -- The Atlanta Falcons spent the first pick in April's draft on quarterback Michael Vick. But it will be fourth-round pick Chris Weinke of the Carolina Panthers who will be the main attraction on Sunday when the NFC West rivals meet. An electrifying player as a collegian at Virginia Tech, Vick has brought a new enthusiasm to Atlanta. But that will be tempered as veteran Chris Chandler remains the starter. Vick played sparingly in a season-opening 16-13 loss in overtime at San Franciso. Vick played the second series of each half and misfired on all four of his pass attempts while rushing twice for 32 yards. It is uncertain how coach Dan Reeves will use Vick on Sunday. Weinke, a 29-year-old quarterback out of Florida State, won the starting job from Jeff Lewis during training camp and responded with an effective performance in a surprising 24-13 season-opening victory at Minnesota. The Heisman Trophy winner, Weinke looked like a savvy veteran, completing 13-of-22 passes for 223 yards and one touchdown. He also ran one yard for a score 5:08 into the fourth quarter after Minnesota had pulled within 17-13. Third-round pick Steve Smith also had a hand in the stunner against the Vikings, returning the opening kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown. Carolina opened the 1997 season 2-1 and began 1996 with three wins in four games but the Panthers never have begun a season with back-to-back wins. The Falcons failed to get anything going against the 49ers in the opener, managing just 241 total yards. Running back Jamal Anderson looked good at times and finished with 86 yards on 26 attempts. Last season, the Falcons won both meetings from Carolina by a combined six points in low-scoring affairs. In September, the Falcons recorded a 15-10 victory at Carolina in strange fashion. Atlanta held a 13-10 late in the fourth quarter, when Anderson broke off a 42-yard run, had the ball jarred loose and Carolina's Doug Evans recovered and ran into his own end zone, resulting in a safety and valuable insurance points. Sparked by their defense, the Falcons completed the season sweep with a 13-12 victory here in October. Atlanta collected three interceptions to go along with four sacks. Atlanta leads the all-time series, 7-5.
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