NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Game notes and injury updates straight from the LP Field press box...
- The temperature at kickoff was a sweltering 86 degrees with a relative humidity of 45 percent.
- The Falcons' defense held their opponent scoreless on the opening drive of the game for the fifth straight game. They have not allowed an opponent to score on their first offensive series thus far in 2007.
- Defensive end Jamal Anderson made his presence felt in a big way on the Titans' first offensive series. He forced a LenDale White fumble at the Falcons' 44-yard line, which was picked up by DeAngelo Hall and returned 56 yards for a Falcons touchdown. It was the rookie first round pick's first forced fumble of his career.
- The 56-yard first quarter touchdown run was the first defensive score since Demorrio Williams' 54-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown on Dec. 10, 2006 at Tampa Bay.
- Hall's 56-yard fumble recovery touchdown was the second of his career. His first came on Oct. 10, 2005 when he ran back a fumble forced by linebacker Michael Boley against the New Orleans Saints at the Alamodome in San Antonio. Hall also has one career touchdown, a 37-yard return against the Cardinals on October 1, 2006.
- Cornerback Chris Houston replaced Lewis Sanders on the second Falcons' defensive series. Sanders did not appear to have suffered any type of injury.
- Boley's interception on the last play of the first quarter was the third of his career. Boley dropped back in coverage, blanketing tight end Bo Scaife, who was running a deep go route. Boley wrestled the Vince Young pass away from Scaife on the Falcons' 24-yard line.
- The Falcons attempted a fake punt with just over 13 minutes remaining in the second quarter, when fullback Corey McIntyre stepped in front of the snap and handed the ball off to running back Artose Pinner. Pinner ran through a huge hole on the right side of the line and sprinted 49 yards to the Falcons' 22-yard line, setting up a 32-yard Morten Andersen field goal that put the Falcons ahead, 10-7.
- The 49-yard run marked the fifth-year pro's longest run of his career.
- The last time the Falcons had two turnovers in the first quarter was against the New York Giants at the Georgia Dome on Oct. 15, 2006.
- Rookie defensive tackle Trey Lewis intercepted a Vince Young pass on the opening series of the second half, the first interception of his career.
- Running back Jerious Norwood's 76-yard kickoff return was the longest kickoff return of his career and the ninth-longest in franchise history.
- BUMPS AND BRUISES: Linebacker Stephen Nicholas was injured with 5:34 remaining in the third quarter when he fell awkwardly on his right leg. The initial diagnosis on the field indicated he sustained a right ankle sprain. He laid on the field for about a minute before walking gingerly to the Falcons' sideline. Nicholas did not return to the game.
- Quarterback Byron Leftwich entered the game with 10:43 remaining in the game and the Falcons trailing 20-13, replacing Joey Harrington. Leftwich was designated the emergency quarterback, and thus he must finish the game at quarterback unless he is injured. Harrington did not appear to be injured in the game. Leftwich's first pass was an 18-yard connection to Roddy White, putting the Falcons in scoring position. The Falcons couldn't come away with points, however, and were forced to punt.
- Williams' crucial fourth-quarter interception with 4:15 remaining in the game was his first of the season and the fourth of his career. The pick put the Falcons in business at the Titans' 21-yard line trailing by just one touchdown, but a Tennessee interception ended the scoring threat.
- Williams struck again a few minutes later when he blocked a Craig Hentrich punt to set up the game's thrilling conclusion.
- The last time the Falcons had three interceptions in a game was Sept. 17, 2006 versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Georgia Dome.
- BUMPS AND BRUISES: Left tackle Wayne Gandy went down with 1:05 remaining in the game with what appeared to be a left knee injury. He was attended to by trainers for several minutes before leaving the game on a cart. He was replaced in the game by tackle Renardo Foster.
MORE FROM THE FALCONS-TITANS GAME:
- GAMEDAY: All the coverage from the Titans-Falcons game
- STATS AND PLAY-BY-PLAY: NFL.com Game Center
- GAME NOTES: Updates and injury news from the LP Field press box
- INACTIVES: Inactives and starters from Week 5
- QUOTABLE: Thoughts on the game from Falcons players and coaches
- VIDEO: Head Coach Bobby Petrino
- VIDEO: Quarterback Joey Harrington
- VIDEO: Quarterback Byron Leftwich
- HIGHLIGHTS: Game highlights from NFL Network
