Welcome to Atlanta, Mike Peterson and Tony Gonzalez.

On Sunday Gonzalez and Peterson lead the Falcons to a 19-7 win over the error prone Miami Dolphins. Gonzalez caught a touchdown pass, becoming the 21st player in the history of the NFL to gain 11,000 receiving yards, and Peterson was able to force a fumble on a big hit and intercepted a pass.

The matchup between 2008’s two surprise teams didn’t end up being much of a game. Atlanta’s defense, which is very suspect after letting go of five of their starters and looking quite shaky during this year’s preseason, were able to recover four turnovers and shut a team completely down that last year won the AFC East after having a 1-15 record just two years earlier.

Matt Ryan, Falcons quarterback, threw two touchdown passes for Atlanta, a team who was able to make it into the playoffs after quickly rebuilding following the Michael Vick fiasco. This season they’re getting off to a great start and will try to have back to back winning seasons. It would be the first time the team had accomplished that in their 44 year history.

Peterson, the only notable defensive player that Atlanta was able to sign this off season, paid off immediately. During the latter part of the second quarter, Peterson flung his body into Anthony Fasano, tight end, and was able to knock the ball away from him after his catch. Brian Williams, another new Falcons player, scooped the ball up and ran for 53 yards setting up a 36 yard field goal from Jason Elam which gave Atlanta a 10-0 lead at halftime.

Peterson was also able to intercept a pass that was intended for Fasano and returned the ball 39 yards, setting up the decisive touchdown for Atlanta. Gonzalez, the star player who was acquired to give Ryan another target, got the touchdown.

Gonzalez caught five passes and led the team with 73 yards, which included a touchdown for 20 yards after Peterson’s interception. The star tight end caught the ball in the flats, cutting to the inside while he shoved Yeremiah Bell away and then glided into the end zone after getting a good block from teammate Roddy White to become part of the 11,000 yard club.

Miami activated Pat White, rookie quarterback, and utilized him in their new wildcat version but without a lot of success. On his first attempt to run he was stopped without a gain, overthrowing Ted Ginn Jr. on a long pass after the wide receiver had his two defenders beaten. Ryan did face some pretty heavy pressure but was able to complete 22 of 36 passes with 229 yards and a one yard touchdown pass to Ovie Mughelli in the second quarter giving the Falcons a lead of 7-0.

Chad Pennington was finally able to lead the Dolphins to a score with 3.21 left in the game. He threw a touchdown pass of 9 yards to Ricky Williams after a pass to score Fasano was nullified by a penalty for holding. Pennington was able to complete 21 of 29 passes, but only managed 176 yards. Running back Ronnie Brown had only 43 yards rushing and Williams had just 39.

Miami’s last shutout was on November 26, 2007 and they were able to avoid having another one, but didn’t do much to bolster any faith in their offense that committed five turnovers in their loss last year to Baltimore in the playoffs. One thing that thing didn’t go well for Atlanta was their kicking game. Jason Elam,who is one of the most reliable kickers in the NFL, missed one extra point and two field goals on a day which was probably the worst of his entire 17 year career.