ATLANTA-- Game Notes from the Falcons-Panthers game at the Georgia Dome on September 20, 2009.
- With a 28-20 win against the Carolina Panthers, the Falcons improved to 2-0 on the season. The win marks the first 2-0 start for the Falcons since 2006 and the seventh time in franchise history.
- Atlanta scored the first touchdown of the game when quarterback Matt Ryanhit Tony Gonzalezfor a 24-yard touchdown toward the end of the first quarter. The score for Gonzalez is the 78th of his career as he has now posted touchdown receptions in the opening two games of the season for only the second time in his career (first time since 2002).
- Ryan notched his second touchdown pass of the game on a 10-yard completion to running back Jason Snelling, giving Atlanta a 14-10 advantage. The touchdown is the second in Snelling's career (2007) and his first receiving.
- Matt Ryan hit wide receiver Roddy Whitefor a seven-yard touchdown with 50 seconds remaining in the second quarter to give the Falcons a 21-13 halftime lead. The score was the first for White this season.
- Quarterback Matt Ryan pieced together a streak of 13-consecutive passes starting at the 6:09 mark in the second quarter.
- Matt Ryan finished the game against Carolina having completed 21 of 27 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns. His 77.7 completions percentage and three touchdowns are both career highs.
- Through two regular season games, five of Atlanta's six touchdowns have come through the air (two against Miami and three against Carolina).
- Wide receiver Marty Bookercaught his first reception of the season on a 27-yard gain in the second quarter. The catch was the first for Booker since December 7, 2008. The 27-yard reception was his longest catch in seven games as the 11th year receiver finished with two receptions for 42 yards.]
- Tight end Tony Gonzalez totaled 63 first half receiving yards marking his highest total since November 9, 2008 (90 yards) as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. Gonzalez led the team in receiving for the second consecutive game after catching seven passes for 71 yards.
- After recording two receptions in the first quarter, tight end Tony Gonzalez improved his streak of consecutive games with a reception to 133.
- Running back Michael Turnerrecorded his first 100-yard game of the season after totaling 28 carries for 105 yards and one touchdown. In 18 career regular season games with the Falcons, Turner has notched nine 100-yard games.
- Atlanta running back Michael Turner tallied his first touchdown of the season on a one-yard rush in the fourth quarter to give the Falcons a 28-13 lead.
- Falcons linebacker Stephen Nicholasposted his first sack of the season and third of his career in the first quarter. The sack stalled a Panthers offensive drive in Falcons territory and forced a punt.
- Falcons defensive back Brian Williamsblocked a Panthers punt at the 1:39 mark in the first quarter. The block was recovered by linebacker Mike Petersonand started the Falcons ensuing drive at their own 47-yard line. The block led to a Falcons touchdown and a 7-3 lead.
- Brian Williams' blocked punt was the first for the Falcons since a 2004 regular season (Week 17) meeting against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field.
- Linebacker Mike Peterson forced his second fumble in as many weeks, and punched the ball out at the 4:15 mark in the third quarter. The ball was recovered by safety Thomas DeCoud, his first career fumble recovery.
- Mike Peterson's forced fumble led to an Atlanta touchdown against Carolina. Last week the veteran line linebacker forced a fumble and intercepted a pass, leading to nine Atlanta points against the Dolphins. In the first two games of the season, Peterson's turnovers have led to 16 total Falcons points.
- Falcons punter/kickoff specialist Michael Koenenrecorded a touchback on all five of his kickoffs, tying a team record which was originally set against Carolina on September 3, 1995.
- Wide receiver Eric Weemsreturned a Panthers kickoff 41 yards in the second quarter, setting a new career-high.
MORE FROM THE FALCONS-PANTHERS GAME:
- GAMEDAY LIVE:More Falcons-Panthers coverage from AF.com
- GAME CENTER:Stats and more from the NFL.com Game Center
- FEATURE:Ryan knows his work is not done
- BLOG:Gameday thoughts from Managing Editor J. Michael Moore
- FIRST TAKE: Head Coach Mike Smith | Ryan | Snelling | Lofton | White
- NFL NETWORK:Highlights and more on the game from NFL Network
- INTERVIEWS:Turner | Houston | Finneran | Falcons-Panthers
- GAME NOTES:Official game notes from the Georgia Dome press box
- QUOTES:Thoughts from the Falcons locker room | Panthers
- INACTIVES:Game inactives and starters
- BOARDS:Talk about the game with other fans on FalconsLIFE
