The Monday Night Football contest between the Atlanta Falcons and the Denver Broncos was a tale of two quarterbacks.
Peyton Manning, the future Hall of Famer and Broncos quarterback, threw three interceptions in just the first quarter. Matt Ryan, the Falcons quarterback who has still yet to win a playoff game, threw his 100th career touchdown and led the Falcons to a solid 27-21 victory, showing why they are one of the best teams in the NFC.
The first quarter was a nightmare for Manning, who threw three straight interceptions for the first time in his career.
"Each turnover has its own story that no one really wants to hear," Manning told the Associated Press. "I've just got to take care of the ball better."
The Falcons took advantage of the Denver turnovers, which also included a fumble with two seconds left in the quarter, making it four turnovers in fifteen minutes for the Broncos.
The first pick came on a deep pass towards tight end Jacob Tamme, who was triple covered before safety William Moore snagged the interception.
"I watched (Manning) growing up, and it was good to go out and play against him," Moore said. "I hope he remembers No. 25."
On the next drive Manning set up a play-action pass, but put too much under the ball, allowing free safety Thomas DeCoud to get his hands on it. The last interception came on the next drive to Robert McClain, who entered the game for an injured player.
On Sunday, Peyton's brother Eli also had three interceptions in the first half, but the New York Giants were able to recover and beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 41-34.
Even with all the turnovers, Denver was never out of it because of the same Manning who put them in the position in the first place. He did his best to bring the Broncos back in this game, but they were too far out of reach.
In the first quarter Atlanta scored on a rushing touchdown by Michael Turner and later on a Matt Bryant field goal.
There was some controversy at the end of the quarter when Denver running back Knowshon Moreno fumbled with 2 seconds left. There was a large scrum with players punching and shoving, but no one was ejected and the Falcons were awarded the fumble recovery.
Following the kick conversion, Atlanta raced out to a 20-0 lead in the second quarter, converting on another field goal and a 1-yard touchdown to tight end Tony Gonzalez.
But with six seconds left in the half, Manning put the ball into the end zone, throwing a perfect pass to Demaryius Thomas, who made a spectacular one handed catch and kept both feet in to cut the score to 20-7.
In the third quarter Ryan connected with Roddy White for his 100th touchdown and put the Falcons up 27-7.
"I guess I'm getting old," the 27-year-old Ryan quipped. "It's special to throw many touchdown passes. It's pretty cool."
Ryan went 24 for 36 in the game with 219 passing yards and two touchdowns. White added eight receptions for 102 yards and the touchdown.
Manning rallied the Broncos in the fourth quarter, but it was too little too late. Willis McGahee had two rushing touchdowns to cut the lead to 27-21, but the Broncos couldn't stop the Falcons on the next drive and they were able to run out the clock.
Ryan connected with Julio Jones on a crucial third down that left the Broncos with no timeouts left.
Atlanta had trouble rushing the ball all night, with starting running back Michael Turner only gaining 42 yards, but Ryan pulled the team through it.
"It's the way you want to close out the game," Ryan said. "We had some more opportunities to do it (earlier). But fortunately, we got it done when we needed to."
The game marked the first time since 2007 against the San Diego Chargers that Manning has thrown three interceptions in the first quarter. The team is also the first since Washington in 2002 to have four turnovers in the first quarter.
The win improved the Falcons to 1-3 in Monday night games.
Denver will next take on the Houston Texans at home on Sept. 23, while the Falcons will play the San Diego Chargers on the road.
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