Falcons Down Panthers in NFC South Rivalry

Carolina 20, Atlanta 28 Falcons record: 2-0 By the end of the first quarter of today's game, I had gone from very disappointed - Ryan's first interception of the season, a red-zone miscue - to very happy - Matt Ryan's first TD of the game. By the end of the first half, I was feeling more relaxed, the Birds getting out to a 21-13 lead, courtesy another two Ryan TD throws. The scoreless 3rd quarter was a showcase of the Falcons' running game and defense, though it featured the Falcons' 2nd turnover of the game (0-2 hole at this point) with a Michael Turner fumble. By the end of the game, the Falcons had forced the Panthers into two turnovers of their own, and their defense came up big to keep the Cats out of the end zone. To give credit where credit is due, Jake Delhomme came out slinging the ball, despite his struggles last week and last post-season. His accuracy was much improved, though an early forced throw trying to avoid a sack might have changed his e...