Matt Ryan had three touchdown passes while Michael Turner rushed for 105 yards and scored one touchdown in the Atlanta Falcons’ second win of the season in their 28-20 win at the Georgia Dome against Carolina, their NFC South rival.

Last week during the season opener Ryan threw two touchdowns. In this Sunday’s game he was 21 for 27 on 220 yards and one interception.

Mike Smith, Atlanta’s head coach, said it was a typical NFC type game between a couple of physical football teams. Coming in we knew that. In the second half we were able to do what we wanted to on offense. Ryan threw well and distributed the ball very well.

Last week in his debut for Atlanta Tony Gonzalez caught a touchdown pass. This Sunday he had seven catches for 71 yards along with another score for Atlanta (2-0). This is the first time the Falcons (2-0) have won the first two games of the season since 2006. The team is trying to have winning seasons two times in a row for the first time in the franchise’s history.

Referring to Gonzales, Ryan said he’s one of the all time great tight ends. Picking him up was big for us. He produces big plays when we really need them. Ryan added that so far he had really enjoyed playing with Gonzalez.

Jake Delhomme, Carolina’s quarterback, only had one interception on Sunday, after he threw four interceptions the week before and was benched in the team’s loss to the Eagles. However the interception occurred late in the fourth quarter when the Panthers were attempting to tie the game. He finished the game 25 for 41 for a total of 308 yards and one touchdown. This is the first time the Panthers (0-2) have lost their first two games of the season since 2006.

Delhomme said nothing could be worse than it was last week. He added it had felt good to be out there. Last week I had pressured myself too much. This week I just went back to being plain Jake.

The Panthers were trailing in the game 28-13 before Delhomme was able to connect on a 11 yard touchdown pass with Dante Rosario with just 6:45 minutes to play in the game. The Carolina defense was able to force three plays and out. Delhomme then moved the Carolina offense into Atlanta territory once again.

At midfield on 3rd down and -3 Delhomme hit Steve Smith with a 23 yard pass, which gave Carolina a first down on Atlanta’s 27 yard line with only 3 1/2 minutes left to play in the game. Jonathan Stewart fumbled but was able to recover the ball, putting Carolina at the 17 with a first down.

Delhomme threw three incomplete passes in a row then attempted to connect with Smith on the left sideline. However Atlanta’s Chris Houston stepped right in front of Smith and picked the ball off near the five yard line with just 2:37 minutes to play.

Carolina had one more opportunity, getting the ball back with just 30 seconds left to play. Delhomme was able to complete four passes before throwing a desperation pass into the end zone as the time ran out on the clock.

John Fox, head coach for the Panthers, said that in this league there isn’t any consolation prize. We didn’t make a lot of strides from last week. There aren’t any cupcakes in the league. We have a lot of work ahead of us.

Smith had eight catches for 131 yards in the loss, appearing to injure his ankle. At the end of the first half he was injured on a Hail Mary pass, but did return to the game. In the fourth quarter he limped off the field but was able to complete the game.

DeAngelo Williams rushed for 79 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown for the Panthers, who out gained the Falcons 440-371.

The Panthers took a 3-0 lead on the game’s first series on a 38 yard field goal from John Kasay.

Several series later, Ryan brought the Falcons back, connecting on a 24 yard pass with Jenkins. Following an offside penalty, Ryan hit Gonzalez with a 24 yard touchdown pass to make the score 7-3 with only 37 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Carolina answered the score with an 80 yard drive to re-take the lead early in the second quarter. Smith caught a 28 yard pass, putting Carolina into Atlanta territory. Stewart then rushed for 28 yards before Williams scored on a three yard stiff arm.

Atlanta answered with an 80 yard drive of their own. Ryan was able to convert on three third downs on the 14 play drive, which included a 27 yard pass to Marty Booker and a nine yard one to Gonzalez. The pass to Gonzalez was initially ruled incomplete but the replay overturned it. Ryan then connected on a 10 yard pass to Jason Snelling, giving Atlanta a 14-10 advantage.

With only 1:49 remaining in the first half, Kasay connected on a 50 yard field goal, leaving Carolina only one point behind. However, Atlanta’s Eric Weems returned a kickoff for 41 yards and Ryan hit Roddy White to bring the score to 21-13 with 50 seconds left in the half.

On the second half kickoff Atlanta drove from their 20 down to the Panther’s 13 yard line before Turner fumbled the ball. However Carolina gave the ball right back just a couple minutes later when Mike Peterson hit Williams who fumbled the ball near midfield.

The Falcons then went 47 yards, scoring another touchdown. Ryan went on a quarterback sneak on 4th down and -1 at Carolina’s 21 setting up a first down. On a third down incomplete pass to the end zone, a pass interference gave the Falcons a second life. Soon after Turner scored from the one yard line, bringing the score to 28-13 with just 12:23 minutes left in the game.

Delhomme then led the Panthers on an 80 yard drive that culminated with a touchdown pass to Rosario which brought Carolina within 8 points.

Game Notes

Peterson had nine tackles, after intercepting a pass in his debut with the Falcons last week. Smith recored his sixth 100 yard receiving game in a row against an NFC South team. Na’il Diggs, Carolina linebacker, left the game with an injured rib in the first half. Jerious Norwood of the Falcons appeared to injure his head and Peria Jerry, defensive lineman for Atlanta, was carted from the field during the fourth quarter. Atlanta will play a road game next Sunday for the first time this season in New England, while Carolina will play next Monday in Dallas.