Falcons vs. Broncos

Atlanta Falcons

Falcons vs. Broncos

Photos from the Atlanta Falcons vs. Denver Broncos NFL game at the Georgia Dome.

The Falcons honored their 1998 NFC champions team prior to kickoff Sunday. Former running back Jamal Anderson (left), led the NFC in rushing that season, often running behind All-Pro offensive tackle Bob Whitfleld (right).

Falcons rookie quarterback Matt Ryan completed 20 of 33 for 250 yards.

Wide receiver Roddy White dives for extra yardage after a catch. He had five receptions for 102 yards -- his fifth 100-yard game of the season. Broncos' Spencer Larsen (46) started at both middle linebacker and fullback, the first player in team history to pull off that double.

Falcons running back Michael Turner rushed for 81 yards on 25 carries.

Broncos fullback Peyton Hillis loses his helmet on impact at the goal line as he bulls his way between Falcons safety Lawyer Milloy and Erik Coleman (26) to take give the Broncos a 7-0 in the opening quarter.

Broncos tight end Nate Jackson jumps over Falcons safety Milloy (36) and cornerback Chris Houston en route to a 16-yard reception.

Broncos wide receiver Eddie Royal (19) has the attention of the Falcons on the sidelines. Royal had 159 return yards on five attempts against the Falcons.

Falcons cornerback Domonique Foxworth, a former Bronco, mixes it up with Broncos wide reciever Brandon Marshall. Marshall lead Broncos receivers with 89 yards.

Turner did breakthrough to give the Falcons a 13-7 lead in the second quarter on this 9-yard TD run. QB Matt Ryan signals his approval in the background.

Ryan lined up as a wide receiver on a direct snap to running back to Jerious Norwood in a Wildcat-formation in the first quarter. The Falcons quarterback had 18 yards rushing on five attempts.

Broncos safety Vernon Fox grabs Falcons' running back Jerious Norwood (32) on a punt return.

Denver's Jay Cutler passed for 216 yards, one touchdown and no picks. It was the third game this season he hasn't thrown an interception.

Former Falcons kicker Matt Prater nails a field goal for the Broncos in the fourth quarter. He missed a 49-yard attempt in the second quarter. Falcons kicker Jason Elam, kicking against the team that he played for the last 15 seasons, booted field goals of 46 and 36 yards for Atlanta.

Turner is mobbed by teammates after scoring his second touchdown of the day on a 28-yard run that put Atlanta ahead 20-17 with just under 11 minutes left.

On ensuing drive after Turner's second touchdown, Denver responded with a 10 play, 83 yard-drive that was started off with receiver Brandon Marshall (right) beating Falcons cornerback Houston for a long gain.

Broncos tight end Daniel Graham slam dunks the ball over the goal posts after catching what would be the game-winning touchdown.

Atlanta had a chance to take the lead after Denver scored. On a 3-and-18 play at the Denver 45-yard-line, Ryan went deep to White in the right corner of the end zone, and he had a step on his defender. But the pass bounced off his hands before he tumbled out of bounds.

On the next play following White's dropped pass, Ryan is knocked to the turf by Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil as he tried to complete a pass to Michael Jenkins. The fourth-down attempt failed and Atlanta turned the ball over on downs.

Falcons head coach Mike Smith reacts on the sidelines as the team fails to convert on fourth-down try. Denver took control of the ball with less than a minute left.

Turner and Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli walk off the field after the Falcons suffered their first home loss of the season at the hands of the Denver Broncos, 24-20. The Falcons' rushing attack was held to 114 total yards.

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The Falcons honored their 1998 NFC champions team prior to kickoff Sunday. Former running back Jamal Anderson (left), led the NFC in rushing that season, often running behind All-Pro offensive tackle Bob Whitfleld (right).

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