ATLANTA FALCONS’ head coach Mike Smith, right, argues for a pass interference call on a play involving wide receiver Roddy White, center, with an official during the second half of their NFL football game against the Denver Broncos on Monday in Atlanta. The Falcons won 27-21.
Peyton Manning knew there would be some stumbles along the way.
There had to be after four neck surgeries, a year away from the field, and the transition to a new team.
But even at his most pessimistic, Manning surely never envisioned a quarter like this.
One pick. Then another. Then a third.
All before he made it through the opening period Monday night.
Manning’s three interceptions in the first 8 minutes helped the Atlanta Falcons build a big lead, and they held off the Denver Broncos for a 27-21 victory.
“Just a really tough start,” Manning said. “I won’t make any excuses for it. We made poor decisions. We have to eliminate those mistakes.”
Matt Ryan threw the 100th touchdown pass of his career, Roddy White had 102 yards receiving and the Falcons (2- 0) made an early 20-0 lead stand up, if just barely. Denver (1-1) rallied for a couple of touchdowns in the fourth quarter and were a defensive stop away from getting one last chance to pull it out.
Still, the feel-good optimism from Week 1, when Manning deftly guided the Broncos to an impressive win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in his Mile High debut, was largely erased at the Georgia Dome.
Grand ol’ time
The Falcons, of course, had a grand ol’ time against Manning.
“I watched him growing up, and it was good to go out and play against him,” said Falcons safety William Moore, who had the first of the picks against Manning, setting up a quick touchdown. “I hope he remembers No. 25.”
Maybe in his nightmares.
Thomas DeCoud and Robert McClain also had interceptions as new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan kept mixing up his formations and moving players around the field, confusing Manning enough to put the Falcons in position to pick off passes that seemed a bit wobbly and lacking the zip he had during his glory days in Indianapolis.
“Each turnover has its own story that no one really wants to hear,” Manning said. “I’ve just got to take care of the ball better.”
He finished 24 of 37 for 241 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas just before halftime. Willis McGahee rushed for 113 yards and scored on a pair of 2-yard runs in the final 12 minutes.
Ryan was much more efficient than the four-time MVP, completing 24 of 36 for 219 yards. He hooked up with Tony Gonzalez for a 1-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, then went to White on a 4-yard score in the third period.
Michael Turner scored Atlanta’s first TD on a 1-yard run, the play set up by the first of Manning’s picks. Matt Bryant kicked two field goals for the Falcons.
Atlanta appeared to be solidly in control heading to the fourth quarter, up 27-7 after Ryan hooked up with White on consecutive passes of 21 and 20 yards, then went to him again for the touchdown.
The Broncos at least made a game of it. Manning completed 7 of 11 for 89 yards in the final period, but two sacks helped stifle the comeback.
“I thought we could find a little momentum there, find some rhythm, which we did,” he said. “We had a chance to win that game. I think we will learn from it and we’ll be better for it.”
The only other time Manning was picked off three times in the opening quarter was with the Colts in a 2007 game at San Diego. The Broncos, in fact, had turnovers on four on their first five possessions.
NOTES: Manning’s career record in Monday night games dropped to 11-4 … Atlanta had another tough game running the ball. Turner totaled only 42 yards on 17 carries — and 15 of those came on his final run … Thomas, who played at nearby Georgia Tech, finished with eight catches for 78 yards.
Up next
National Football League
Thursday, Sep. 20
N.Y. Giants at Carolina, 8:20 p.m.
Sunday, Sep. 23
Tampa Bay at Dallas, 1 p.m.
St. Louis at Chicago, 1 p.m.
San Francisco at Minnesota, 1 p.m.
Detroit at Tennessee, 1 p.m.
Kansas City at New Orleans, 1 p.m.
Cincinnati at Washington, 1 p.m.
N.Y. Jets at Miami, 1 p.m.
Buffalo at Cleveland, 1 p.m.
Jacksonville at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.
Philadelphia at Arizona, 4:05 p.m.
Atlanta at San Diego, 4:05 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Oakland, 4:25 p.m.
Houston at Denver, 4:25 p.m.
New England at Baltimore, 8:20 p.m.
Monday, Sep. 24
Green Bay at Seattle, 8:30 p.m.
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