Falcons throttle Chargers 27-3 to remain undefeated
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan passes against the San Diego Chargers during the first half of an NFL football game in San Diego Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan turned in one of the greatest days of his five-year NFL career on Sunday against the Chargers in a battle of unbeaten teams.
With Ryan operating at near peak performance and the defense confounding San Diego’s offense, the Falcons defeated the Chargers 27-3, before 61,297 fans, to improve to 3-0 for the first time since 2004.
“I really liked the way all three phases of the team played today,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “They performed extremely well.”
The Falcons used their passing attack to build a lead and then turned the game over to running back Michael Turner, who had a tumultuous week that included being arrested for driving under the influence, to close out the game.
Ryan completed 30 of 40 passes for 275 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
“I feel as confident as I ever have for sure and a lot of that has to do with experience. …having good experiences and bad experiences,” said Ryan, who improved his record as a starter in the NFL to 46-19. “ I’m now realizing that I can do it. I can make the plays we need to make in order to win.”
Free safety Thomas DeCoud is also gaining more confidence from his experiences. He was at the center two key turnovers that fueled the victory.
DeCoud recovered a fumble that set up a back-breaking 17-play, 96-yard touchdown drive. He also came up with an interception that helped the Falcons build a 20-0 halftime lead.
“I think it’s a combination of the scheme, skill and confidence all coming together,” DeCoud said. “We are a defense that is offensive minded and we want to get the ball back for our offense. I think we’ve really taken that to heart.”
Ryan and the offense opened the game with a solid touchdown drive.
With Ryan passing on 8 of 10 plays, the Falcons marched down the field before he tossed an 8-yard touchdown pass to running back Jacquizz Rodgers. Holder Matt Bosher scooped up an errant Josh Harris snap, but was tackled while trying to run for the extra point.
With the Falcons up 6-0, the game stalled until early in the second quarter.
The Chargers were on the move and drove inside the Falcons’ 10 yard line when DeCoud held up San Diego running back Ryan Mathews and linebacker Sean Weatherspoon whacked him from the back to force a fumble.
DeCoud recovered Mathews’ 11th fumble in 27 career NFL games.
“I was pushing for more yards and when I was going down to get a little extra, the ball came out in front of me,” Mathews said. “Stuff like that happens and I just have to learn to go down instead of trying to get the extra yard.”
The Falcons promptly drove 96 yards in 17 plays before Ryan tossed a laser shot to tight end Tony Gonzalez, who hauled it in for a 7-yard touchdown. It was the 98th career touchdown for Gonzalez.
During the drive, their longest of the season, the offense converted on five third downs to keep the chains moving.
“We got into a rhythm,” Ryan said. “The one that stands out to me is Jason Snelling catching the check down and being able to run for nine or 10 yards, converting on a third-and-long situation.”
With the Chargers on the ropes, quarterback Philip Rivers tossed an ill-advised pass out to tight end Antonio Gates and DeCoud made a spectacular interception along the sideline at San Diego’s 29 with 1:53 left in the second quarter.
The Falcons struck quickly, with Ryan tossing a 9-yard touchdown pass on a fade route to Julio Jones on the fourth play of the drive. Rodgers picked up a blitzer to allow Ryan time to get off the touchdown pass that made it 20-0.
“That was a big-time catch over there on our sideline in the end zone,” Smith said. “On the very first play, he was injured. To what extent, I don’t know. He was able to return to play and made a big play for us when we needed it. There were a bunch of guys in that locker room that made big plays. I’m very proud of them.”
San Diego received a 41-yard field goal from Nate Kaeding on their first drive of the second half.
About the only thing Ryan did wrong was throw a third quarter interception. He hadn’t thrown an interception in a franchise-record 272 attempts before San Diego cornerback Antoine Cason’s interception.
The Falcons will attempt to improve to 4-0 when they face the well-rested Carolina Panthers (1-2), who played Thursday night, at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
THE LATEST NEWS
Falcons improve to 2-0 with 27-21 win over Peyton Manning-led Denver Broncos
Falcons running back Michael Turner charged with DUI
Cornerback Christopher Owens is in the concussion protocol
VIDEO: Matt Ryan discusses win over Denver
Secondary puts Peyton Manning back on his heels
OTHER RECENT POSTS
TV, Radio: Broncos vs. Falcons, 8:30 p.m. on MNF
INJURY REPORT: Weatherspoon, Clabo are questionable; Kuper out for Denver
Matt Bryant: The Alligator Whisperer
Brent Grimes out for the season
Video: What loss of Grimes means
Falcons offense makes it look easy
Still room for improvement in run game
Matt Ryan, Dirk Koetter form bond on and off the field
Get instant updates on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the Facebook Fan page at AJC Falcons.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
187 comments Add your comment
Old Man Peabody
September 23rd, 2012
7:58 pm
NFC South is looking weak besides ATL
Fan Since 1966
September 23rd, 2012
7:59 pm
There is something that feels special about this team. In the past they would sit on there lead and use the “bend don’t break defense”. This year, it’s ATTACK, ATTACK and ATTACK some more!!!
Michael M.
September 23rd, 2012
8:03 pm
Falcons, Texans and Cardinals are all 3 – 0 after today
next week……………
Panthers – Falcons
Cards – Dolphins
Texans – Titans
Who will be undefeated after week four ?
Boo
September 23rd, 2012
8:07 pm
SeenThisB4 – I respect you for that, but I can never forget you and your teams classless disrespect for the Falcons organization. I hope we beat you BAD!!!
Jim Smith
September 23rd, 2012
8:13 pm
The whole team did a stand-up job in the muggy heatt. Ryan and his receivers were unusually dialed into each other. But for sheer motivational effect, I w ould have to give the game ball to Decoud, who had a key role in stopping three drives, two of which could have been touchdowns for the Chargers.The article doesn’t mention his bat-down of a pass headed straight to a SD receiver already in the end zone on the first drive of the second half. Great job, Birds!
Michael M.
September 23rd, 2012
8:14 pm
By the Wayyyyyyy…………………………where is this Seen this B 4 ??????????????????
………………….lmao off at you STBzip…………………………………………………………
bg
September 23rd, 2012
8:16 pm
let’s give the coaching staff a lot of credit as well, especially the co-ordinators.
McGarrett
September 23rd, 2012
8:18 pm
These birds will have good year then the playoff meltdown as per usual.
Doyle Hargraves
September 23rd, 2012
8:18 pm
Both Moore and DeCoud have been credited with the fumble recovery on various news outlets. Pretty sure I saw DeCoud recover it. Funny how 6 months or so ago, when Nolan first came in, DeCoud was listed as a marginal, may get cut player. He’s looking like a baller now. The success the Falcons are having is a little bittersweet – it’s so obvious things could have been much better the last few years without Van Gorder and Mularkey running the show. I love Coach Smith, but it is concerning he stuck with those bums for that long. LLYFF
(Never) SeenThisB4
September 23rd, 2012
8:19 pm
Yeah, where is Seen….can’t wait to see what excuses he has about how bad the Aints are and how good the Falcons are.
Boo – you got me confused with the knucklehead troll SeenThisB4. I’m the alter ego in reality world vs. the disillusioned world he lives in.
JONESBORO SLIM
September 23rd, 2012
8:20 pm
@Jim Smith….good call Jim but the Falcons are use to heat…summer practice….
DawgNole
September 23rd, 2012
8:20 pm
Jamaaliver
September 23rd, 2012
7:24 pm
Matt Choke?
You out there buddy?
_________________
You should know the pattern by now. Like most spineless, hate-filled losers, he makes himself scarce when he’s proven wrong once again.
DawgNole
September 23rd, 2012
8:23 pm
Jim Smith
September 23rd, 2012
8:13 pm
The whole team did a stand-up job in the muggy heatt.
_____________________
No such thing as muggy “heatt” in SD. They don’t have a clue what humidity is–or heat index.
Peachtree Bart
September 23rd, 2012
8:23 pm
Who dat….can’t wait to play the Taints, lol.
Michael M.
September 23rd, 2012
8:24 pm
Matt choke Ryan was on that other blog today but then went with a undercover name to continue his blog comments…………………….but he couldn’t seem to think of much because the Birds just too dam good and when you good , aint nobody that can touch ya…………………………………
Falconeer
September 23rd, 2012
8:25 pm
Today Matt Ryan looked like he ranks right up there with the priemeir quarterbacks of the past.
mark
September 23rd, 2012
8:27 pm
Great team win def is really aggressive under Nolan which is so much fun to watch. We will get beat sometimes by other offenses but at least they will have to earn it, no more read and react!. Same with offense staying aggressive at every point. We have not won anything yet but at least we know the approach to each game will be different and we will be on the attack.
Coach T
September 23rd, 2012
8:27 pm
good win…depth on d line paid off tonight…along with coaching prep for time zone changes.
great job!
]
JONESBORO SLIM
September 23rd, 2012
8:28 pm
I know one thing Las Vegas LOST their A$$ off on the Falcons game today…..
TROTTINGHOME
September 23rd, 2012
8:28 pm
I want dem packers
mark
September 23rd, 2012
8:32 pm
good w all around! D is really buying nolan style man and this is scary!!! lets handle carolina next week, lets focus on our own division
Michael M.
September 23rd, 2012
8:34 pm
Ryan completed 30 of 40 passes for 275 yards, with his first interception of the season, and a passer rating of 107.8.He threw touchdown passes of 8 yards to Jacquizz Rodgers, 7 to Tony Gonzalez and 9 to Julio Jones.
They forgot to add ” after all that, Matt Ryan never looked back “………………………………….
Falcon James
September 23rd, 2012
8:36 pm
Well, one would have to admit that the Falcon look like the best team in the NFL right now. They have been absolutly impressive. Our Defensive backfield are playing great football. The line brought pressure all day. On offense, Ryan and the recieving corps look unstoppable. Ryan looks as confident in the pocket as he has ever looked. Even Magic Mike ran the ball good today. Who can stop this team? (certainly not the Saints!!)
Michael M.
September 23rd, 2012
8:39 pm
quarterback Philip Rivers tossed an ill-advised pass out to tight end Antonio Gates and DeCoud made a spectacular interception along the sideline at San Diego’s 29
yup, they gonna say Rivers has a weak arm too now………………ha ! ha ! ha !
Falcon James
September 23rd, 2012
8:44 pm
The problem with Rivers is that he throws up too many “prayers” when he is under pressure. The Falcon did not let up on him day.
Michael M.
September 23rd, 2012
8:46 pm
Think the Falcons will still be under the radar now Falcon James ?
JBurd
September 23rd, 2012
8:48 pm
Give the O line a lot of credit. What a day for the Falcons! They beat a good team on the road to go 3-0. The Saints lose to go 0-3. Panthers and Bucs lose. Even their ex-QB’s team and their ex-coach’s (Petrino) ex-team lose!!
Aint ItGreat!
September 23rd, 2012
8:52 pm
Falcons have a clear path to the NFC South Title! Even after spending all the money to keep all their talent and keep Brees, the AINTS can’t even win a game…even over crappy teams…at home! Bwahahahaahah…Bye-Bye, AINTS!!!!
steven a smith
September 23rd, 2012
8:53 pm
Where are all the New Orlean Saints fans 2-night??? HIRAM SAINT? SeenThisBefore or SCRUBThisBefore???
Falcon James
September 23rd, 2012
8:54 pm
Michael M, I don’t think so. Even the announcers today was giving them credit, especially Ryan. They just looked incredible today.
Got to give Nolan some credit too. He is going to be very hard to game plan against.
SeenThisB4
September 23rd, 2012
8:54 pm
Sorry I’m not posting much these days. I’ve been busy outside the Superdome getting throttled once again this week. It’s been a tough first 3 weeks of the season for me. My knees are bloody from the gravel out in the parking lot of the Superdome and my jaws are killing me right now. Thank goodness we have an away game next week against the Packers. Maybe I can get some solid food in next Sunday. No telling what I’ll be doing after the game if we lose to Green Bay but then again they are the Packers so…. Anybody got any knee pads I can borrow? I can’t stop burping for some reason and my hair and nails are really starting to grow since the season started. Oops one of the Saints players is coming now, gotta go. Duty calls.
Only one winless team left in NFC
September 23rd, 2012
8:55 pm
Half the winless teams in the entire NFL play in the NFC South! In the Cain’ts long history, we have Seen This B4.
Next week Femaville plays at Green Bay then host the Chargers the following week. 0-5 is looking very possible. Sweet!
Falcon James
September 23rd, 2012
8:55 pm
My prediction for the Saint to go winless this season is still in tact. Bring out the paper sacks. LMAO
Vulture
September 23rd, 2012
8:56 pm
Just heard that there is a run on brown paper bags in No Wins.
Falcon James
September 23rd, 2012
8:58 pm
The Saint is getting closer and closer to clinching the number 1 draft pick in 2013!
Michael M.
September 23rd, 2012
9:00 pm
hilarious post……………………………..
yeah, the Falcons are the real deal this year…………..I needed to see a good start out of them so we got one………………this team could seriously win many many games this year……………..Cam is coming up next …………at home in the Dome, fired up Falcon Fans, be 4 – 0 next week…………………………………and I am out
Aoldtimer
September 23rd, 2012
9:01 pm
Where the hell is choke ryan?? What happened?? Did everybody catch the FLU??..Oh sorry that was the Aints.
I am very proud of our team. Let’s keep it going!!!
SirReal
September 23rd, 2012
9:02 pm
Great game today. Even greater to see the Taints lose and drop to the doldrums of our division. Next week is another big game for us. We make a DIVISIONAL statement this time. Crybaby Newton should have plenty to cry about when we’re done. Only thing I wanna see us do better is against the run. The kitties have two good backs and if we can make them one dimensional….the game is ours. Looks like we have a clear path to the division title.
Falcon Fan 24-7
September 23rd, 2012
9:02 pm
Coaching is the difference. The New OC and new DC (Mike Nolan) is paying huge dividends. They brought a new attitude, a swagger and aggressiveness to our team on both sides of the ball. Falcons on top, Falcons going win.
Tman
September 23rd, 2012
9:05 pm
Where is Seen This B4? Must be choking on some dirty rice. Where is that big mouth refugee? Can he not handle the obvious?
Nowwehaveasecondary!
September 23rd, 2012
9:05 pm
The name of my blog says it all on defense.
who datS
September 23rd, 2012
9:07 pm
IT’S VERY FUNNY THAT FALCANT’
S FANS POSING AS SEENTHISB4,LOL VERY GOOD NOW WIN A PLAYOFF GAME,BETTER YET A SUPERBOWL.NOT SO FUNNY NOW LOL.
Who Me?
September 23rd, 2012
9:18 pm
How nice is it NOT to have the Saints clowns messin’ up our blog….Seen this B4 and Matt CHOKE Ryan, eat it! Great to not be an ‘aints fan these days – who DAT?
johnm
September 23rd, 2012
9:21 pm
everybody was hatn on decoud ALL offseason and i kept saying how good he was, well I TOLD YOU SO A$$HOLES.
Tman
September 23rd, 2012
9:26 pm
We dat! Aints are Oh-3. Live in the now! You had your five minutes!
Only one winless team left in NFC
September 23rd, 2012
9:29 pm
@who datS: The Femaville Cain’ts joined the NFL in 1967, and have never won a playoff game on the road! 45 years and counting. Just saying…
dr
September 23rd, 2012
9:39 pm
Did dent get a tackle/
Magic City
September 23rd, 2012
9:44 pm
Pam Oliver is soft.
OtistheDrunk
September 23rd, 2012
9:45 pm
Just spent a minute looking at the Falcons remaining schedule…SOMEBODY tell me where a loss is gonna come from….barring injuries I honestly can’t see one game where I’m feeling the least bit, shall I say “nervous”? NOT even the GIANTS allow me to maybe put it in the LOSS column..cuz it’s here at da DOME and we have some payback bizness that day to handle! WHAT SAY YOU? Pick one?????????
Vulture
September 23rd, 2012
9:49 pm
Can’t tell who dat with a bag over your head.