Falcons’ Ryan compared to Peyton Manning

Flowery Branch — Matt Ryan has led the Falcons to more victories in six games that Peyton Manning won as a rookie quarterback. Manning posted a 3-13 record back in 1998 for Indianapolis.

NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger compared the two players on the “Team Cam” show.

“He is so far advanced, the only guy I can compare him to in recent history is Peyton Manning,” Baldinger said. “I haven’t seen another quarterback come into the league with the confidence and the understanding of how to play this game outside of Peyton in the last 10 years.”

Lofton’s status

Middle linebacker Curtis Lofton is one of 10 rookies who have started each of their team’s games on defense.

The others are: Kansas City’s Brandon Carr (cornerback), Glenn Dorsey (defensive tackle) and Brandon Flowers (cornerback); Carolina’s Charles Godfrey (safety), Seattle’s Lawrence Jackson (defensive end), Minnesota’s Tyrell Johnson (safety), St. Louis’s Chris Long (defensive lineman), New York Jets’ Dwight Lowery (cornerback), New England’s Jerod Mayo (linebacker) and Cincinnati’s Keith Rivers (linebacker).

White shining

Wide receiver Roddy White is tied for second in the NFC for third-down receiving with 13 catches for 245 yards and one touchdown.

His 566 yards total receiving are second in the league and his 35 receptions are fourth in the NFC.