Falcons' 2008 season in review

Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons open season with rookie quarterback Matt Ryan as starting quarterback. Ryan became the first Falcons rookie signal-caller to start a season opener since Steve Bartkowski in 1975.

FALCONS 34, LIONS 21 -- Rookie quarterback Matt Ryan opened his NFL career with a 62-yard touchdown pass to receiver Roddy White. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2008 Draft, was solid for the Falcons, completing 9-of-13 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown. The Falcons jumped to a 21-0 lead and never looked back to start the season with a victory. Michael Turner made his Falcons debut with a career-high 22 carries and a Falcons single-game rushing record of 220 yards.

FALCONS 9, BUCS 24 -- Matt Ryan struggled in his second NFL start, hitting just 13 of 33 pass attempts for 158 yards, with two costly interceptions. The rookie also was sacked four times. Running back Michael Turner was held to just 42 yards on 14 carries, while former Falcon Warrick Dunn found the end zone on 12 carries for 49 yards for Tampa Bay.

FALCONS 38, CHIEFS 14 -- Michael Turner turned on the burners for a career-first -- three touchdowns in one game. Matt Ryan completed 12-of-18 passes for 192 yards and a score, and Roddy White caught five passes for 119 yards and a touchdown in the victory. Jerious Norwood added 75 yards on 11 carries for the Falcons (2-1), while Chris Houston contributed a defensive touchdown late in the game on an interception return.

FALCONS 9, PANTHERS 24 -- Matt Ryan was less than spectacular, going 21-of-41 for 158 yards for the Falcons (2-2). Michael Turner had 18 touches and gained 56 yards in defeat. Roddy White had seven catches for 90 yards. Jason Elam accounted for all the Atlanta offense by kicking three field goals.

FALCONS 27, PACKERS 24 -- Rookie Matt Ryan turned in another sharp performance as the Falcons walked out of Lambeau Field with their first road win of the season. Ryan completed 16 of 26 passes for 194 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Wide receiver Roddy White (above) caught eight passes for 132 yards and a touchdown, while Michael Turner ran for 121 yards and a touchdown.

FALCONS 22, BEARS 20 -- Jason Elam (left) banged in a 48-yard field goal with no time left on the clock, making up for an earlier missed attempt, to give Atlanta an exciting victory over Chicago. Rookie quarterback Matt Ryan was 22-for-30 for 301 yards and a touchdown. Roddy White caught nine balls for 112 yards and a touchdown. The Falcons (4-2) headed into their bye week in a three-way tie for first place in the NFC South.

FALCONS 14, EAGLES 27 -- Adam Jennings was ruled to have touched a punt attempt and Philadelphia recovered in Atlanta territory late in the fourth quarter. Replays showed that Jennings never touched the ball, but since it was before the two-minute warning and Atlanta had used all of its timeouts, the on-field call stood and the Eagles had the ball. Matt Ryan threw for 270 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions while Roddy White added 113 yards and two scores for the Falcons.

FALCONS 24, RAIDERS 0 -- Matt Ryan completed 17-of-22 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns, and the Falcons blanked the Raiders at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland -- the Falcons' first shutout in six seasons. Michael Turner ran for 139 yards on a career-high 31 carries; Jerious Norwood (above) had 63 yards rushing and a score. The Falcons scored a touchdown on each of their first three drives, and the defense held the Raiders to 77 total yards, including just minus-two yards in the first half.

FALCONS 34, SAINTS 20 -- Matt Ryan completed 16-of-23 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns, and the Falcons remained unbeaten at home. Atlanta's secondary picked off the Saints' Drew Brees three times, including on the first play from scrimmage by Erik Coleman (above). Jerious Norwood had 88 yards receiving and 17 yards rushing while adding a touchdown reception. Michael Turner added 96 yards and a score, and Roddy White caught five passes for 68 yards and a score.

FALCONS 45, PANTHERS 28 -- Rookie Harry Douglas ran for a score, caught four balls for 92 yards and had the game-sealing 61-yard punt return (above) for a touchdown, as Atlanta moved to 5-1 at home. Michael Turner rushed for 117 yards and a career-high four touchdowns, including three in the fourth quarter, as the Falcons upended the NFC South-leading Panthers. Matt Ryan was an efficient 17-of-27 for 259 yards for the Falcons, who moved within a game of the top spot in the division.

FALCONS 22, CHARGERS 16 -- Rookie quarterback Matt Ryan completed a crisp 17-of-23 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns, out-dueling San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers, who entered the game as the NFL's top-rated passer. Michael Turner (above), returning to play against his former team, powered the Atlanta offense with 120 yards rushing on 31 carries.

FALCONS 25, SAINTS 29 -- Matt Ryan was superb in throwing for 315 yards on 24-of-33 attempts with a TD and a pick, while running for a 12-yard score. Roddy White (above) caught 10 passes for career-high 164 yards in the loss to division rival Saints in New Orleans. The loss placed the Falcons behind the Cowboys for the second wild card spot.

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FALCONS 34, LIONS 21 -- Rookie quarterback Matt Ryan opened his NFL career with a 62-yard touchdown pass to receiver Roddy White. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2008 Draft, was solid for the Falcons, completing 9-of-13 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown. The Falcons jumped to a 21-0 lead and never looked back to start the season with a victory. Michael Turner made his Falcons debut with a career-high 22 carries and a Falcons single-game rushing record of 220 yards.

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