Final
Ryan guides Falcons past Titans
Aug 23, 2008 - 2:30 AM By Phil Foley PA SportsTicker Contributing WriterATLANTA (Ticker) -- After a shaky start, rookie Matt Ryan ended his first career NFL start on a positive note.
Ryan tossed the game-winning touchdown pass in his final drive to start the third quarter to lead the Falcons to a 17-3 win over the Tennessee Titans in a preseason contest at the Georgia Dome on Friday night.
Ryan was brought in to fill the gaping hole at the position after Michael Vick was suspended indefinitely by the league following his conviction on federal dogfighting-related charges and quickly was touted as Atlanta's quarterback of the future.
Thrown into the mix for the starting job in open competition with veterans Joey Harrington and Chris Redman, the No. 3 overall pick was given his first start on Friday.
Ryan engineered a nine-play, 71-yard drive, finding third-round pick Harry Douglas for a 1-yard touchdown pass to give Atlanta a 10-3 lead with 10:42 remaining in the third. Jerious Norwood set up Ryan's touchdown throw, rumbling 39 yards up the left side to bring the Falcons to the Tennessee 1.
Things didn't start out as well for Ryan, who finished 15-for-21 for 102 yards with one touchdown.
Ryan completed 12-for-17 passes for 78 yards in the first half but struggled in the red zone. The rookie failed to connect with receivers Laurent Robinson and Roddy White in the end zone in the waning seconds of the second quarter before leaving to a smattering of boos at the Georgia Dome.
Tennessee quarterback Vince Young endured a miserable first half, connecting on 9-of-18 passes for 102 yards with one interception for the Titans (2-1).
LenDale White, who missed some of the week with the flu, did not make the trip to Atlanta. First-round pick Chris Johnson started at running back and rushed for 35 yards on 11 carries.
Cornerback Nick Harper (concussion), linebacker Keith Bulluck (right calf) and rookie wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins (sprained ankle) did not play for Tennessee.
- NFL
FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
TENNESSEE 3 0 0 0 3
ATLANTA 0 3 7 7 17 FINAL
SCORING SUMMARY
1ST QUARTER: TEN - FG, JOHN VAUGHN 50 YD, 4:09. TENNESSEE
3-0
2ND QUARTER: ATL - FG, JASON ELAM 39 YD, 2:26. TENNESSEE
3-3
3RD QUARTER: ATL - TD, HARRY DOUGLAS 1 YD PASS FROM MATT
RYAN (JASON ELAM KICK),
Aug 22 10:21 PM - NFL
TD ATL
THOMAS BROWN 9 YD RUN
(JASON ELAM KICK)
TENNESSEE 3
ATLANTA 17 3:22 LEFT, 4TH QTR
Titans 3, Falcons 17 4th - 3:22Aug 22 10:10 PM - NFL
END, 3RD QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
TENNESSEE 3 0 0 3
ATLANTA 0 3 7 10 END, 3RD QTR
SCORING SUMMARY
1ST QUARTER: TEN - FG, JOHN VAUGHN 50 YD, 4:09. TENNESSEE
3-0
2ND QUARTER: ATL - FG, JASON ELAM 39 YD, 2:26. TENNESSEE
3-3
3RD QUARTER: ATL - TD, HARRY DOUGLAS 1 YD PASS FROM MATT
RYAN (JASON ELAM
Aug 22 9:42 PM - NFL
TD ATL
HARRY DOUGLAS 1 YD PASS FROM MATT RYAN
(JASON ELAM KICK)
TENNESSEE 3
ATLANTA 10 10:39 LEFT, 3RD QTR
Titans 3, Falcons 10 3rd - 10:39Aug 22 9:12 PM - NFL
HALFTIME 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
TENNESSEE 3 0 3
ATLANTA 0 3 3 HALFTIME
SCORING SUMMARY
1ST QUARTER: TEN - FG, JOHN VAUGHN 50 YD, 4:09. TENNESSEE
3-0
2ND QUARTER: ATL - FG, JASON ELAM 39 YD, 2:26. TENNESSEE
3-3
Aug 22 8:52 PM - NFL
FG ATL
JASON ELAM 39 YD
TENNESSEE 3
ATLANTA 3 12:34 LEFT, 2ND QTR
Titans 3, Falcons 3 2nd - 12:34Aug 22 8:14 PM - NFL
END, 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
TENNESSEE 3 3
ATLANTA 0 0 END, 1ST QTR
SCORING SUMMARY
1ST QUARTER: TEN - FG, JOHN VAUGHN 50 YD, 4:09. TENNESSEE
3-0
Aug 22 8:08 PM - NFL
FG TEN
JOHN VAUGHN 50 YD
TENNESSEE 3
ATLANTA 0 10:51 LEFT, 1ST QTR
Titans 3, Falcons 0 1st - 10:51Aug 22 7:48 PM
Related News
- Bill Belichick and Falcons to Continue Discussions Jan 18
- Bill Belichick and Patriots to Part Ways Jan 11
- NFC South standings heading into Week 17: The Buccaneers are in control Dec 26
- Titans now own No. 7 overall pick in 2024 NFL Draft Dec 26
- Falcons season isn’t a total disappointment thanks to Ryan Nielsen’s defense Dec 26
- NFL Week 16 ‘Monday Night Football’ game picks and open thread Dec 25
- Falcoholic Festivus: The airing of grievances Dec 25
- Falcons fantasy stud and dud from Week 16 vs. Colts Dec 25
- NFL Christmas Day open thread Dec 25
- Falcons vs. Colts recap: The gift of a very overdue complete game Dec 25
- Titans opening odds: Tennessee opens as 3.5-point underdog against Texans Dec 24
- Falcons vs. Colts instant recap: The Christmas Eve clubbing Dec 24