ATLANTA – Matt Ryan threw his 100th career touchdown pass, Roddy White had 102 yards receiving and the Atlanta Falcons defeated the Denver Broncos and error-prone quarterback Peyton Manning 27-21 on Monday night.

The Falcons (2-0) took advantage of three interceptions by Manning in the first quarter and raced to a 20-0 lead.

Manning brought the Broncos (1-1) back with two fourth-quarter scoring drives, but it wasn’t enough to make up for his awful start.

The only other time he’s been intercepted three times in the opening quarter was with the Colts in a 2007 game at San Diego.

Ryan was much more efficient, 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 quarter.

 

SAINTS: The NFL presented Jonathan Vilma and his attorney with a sworn statement from former Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams saying the linebacker placed a $10,000 bounty on Brett Favre.

Vilma met with Commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday in New York about his suspension, which has been temporarily lifted. Attorney Peter Ginsberg said they were given an affidavit at the meeting.

“What Gregg Williams said in his most recent affidavit is the same falsity he has previously provided,” Ginsberg said.

“I don’t know what Gregg Williams’ motives are, but I do know that any suggestion by Williams that Jonathan put up $10,000 as an incentive for his teammates to injure another player is absolutely false.”

Vilma tweeted on Monday night that Williams was “bullied to sign the affidavit,” saying Williams signed it on Friday.

Williams is now with St. Louis, though he has been suspended indefinitely.

Vilma, who denied in court that he offered money in exchange for injuring the former Vikings quarterback, was one of four players suspended by Goodell in the bounty scandal.

“Today everyone was afforded an opportunity to start over,” Vilma said.

An appeals panel earlier this month said Goodell must clarify his rulings to ensure no part of his decisions was based on salary cap violations.

Goodell must show that the basis for the discipline was inappropriate conduct — such as intent to injure — rather than any secret monetary compensation.

In that case, he has full authority to impose the suspensions.

 

CHARGERS: The board of directors at the San Diego Hall of Champions has decided to forgo the normal voting process and induct Junior Seau into the Breitbard Hall of Fame on Feb. 25.

Candidates normally aren’t eligible to be voted in until two years after their careers end.

Seau, who player with the Chargers for 13 of his 20 NFL seasons, committed suicide May 2.

 

GIANTS: Tackle David Diehl, running back Ahmad Bradshaw and wide receiver Domenik Hixon were among six Giants held out of practice Monday.

Diehl suffered an injury to the medial collateral ligament in his right knee in Sunday’s 41-34 win over Tampa Bay and might be the most questionable player for the Giants’ next game, Thursday against Carolina.