ATLANTA -- Five touchdowns, 378 yards on offense, three interceptions, a defensive score and a tie for the NFC South lead.
Welcome home, Falcons.
The Birds improved to 2-0 at the Georgia Dome Sunday with an impressive 38-14 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Running back Michael Turner rushed for 104 yards and a career-high three touchdowns while rookie quarterback Matt Ryan found Roddy White on a 70-yard touchdown as the offense recovered from a rough outing in Week 2.
Defensive backs Erik Coleman, Brent Grimes and Chris Houston each recorded an interception off second-year quarterback Tyler Thigpen, who was starting his first NFL game. Houston returned his for a touchdown late in the game. The defense opened the game by forcing five straight three-and-outs.
Turner's performance made a fitting encore after he introduced himself to the home crowd with a franchise record, 220 yards in a Week 1 win over Detroit. He took a different route to success this time, however, giving fans a taste of grit and persistence.
He had just 2 yards on his first four carries as the offense eased out of the locker room. But, as if to prove patience can pay, Turner set the tone on the next carry.
The stout running back broke a tackle and spun away from another on his way to a 38-yard run with 6:44 remaining in the opening quarter. A 30-yard completion from Ryan to Jerious Norwood later in the drive set Turner up for a touchdown run and a 7-0 Falcons lead.
“I thought it came down to execution," Ryan said. "Coming into the game, we had a good game plan and we were able to stick to it. The coaches put us in good position all week long in practice. Our job was then to apply today on the field, which we were able to do. It’s that plain and simple. The offensive line did their job by anchoring the front and creating holes for Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood. It is great to have guys pushing the holes and also guys that can hit them fast. It makes for a good rushing game. It was fun as a quarterback to see all of the guys chip in.”
Turner's three rushing touchdowns tied for the second-most in franchise history while Ryan's big completion to White set the team mark for longest scoring pass by a rookie. It also marked the longest reception of White's career.
“Yeah we want to go out there and put points up there early," White said. "It makes the other team panic. It makes them want to throw the ball. I don’t think they wanted to come in the game and throw the ball that much with a back-up quarterback.”
White finished the day with five catches for 119 yards and a touchdown. Ryan didn't throw an interception for the second time this season and completed 12-of-18 passes for 192 yards (120.6 passer rating).
“Roddy has the skill set to be an outstanding receiver in this league," Head Coach Mike Smith said. "He catches the ball and he can separate from defenders. The thing that Roddy has really bought into is the thing that Mike Mularkey and Terry Robiskie have been selling. That is to block with our wide receivers if we’re going to have a chance to run the ball.”
Execution troubles from a Week disappeared on both sides of the ball.
The defense held the Chiefs to just 7 yards and zero first downs in the first quarter while Coleman and Grimes interceptions led to a Jason Elam field goal and the second of Turner's touchdowns. Defensive end John Abraham chipped in with two sacks and a forced fumble. He now leads the league with six sacks through three games.
“We watched a lot of film on them," Abraham said. "We prepared ourselves very well for what they had in store. Also, we executed at the beginning of the game. We gave a lot up in the beginning of the second half. I guess that’s the only problem we had.”
Kansas City managed consecutive touchdown drives to pull within 14 points with 9:42 remaining in the third quarter.
But Turner and the offense responded, putting together a 60-yard drive that ended with a third-quarter touchdown effectively putting the game away. The defense kept up the pressure through the end of the game, keeping the Chiefs out of the end zone with a fourth-down tackle by rookie Curtis Lofton and Houston's interception return.
“I thought we did a great job," Coleman said. "Every man was accountable for what was going on and everyone was buying in. I think we’re gelling well as a defense. We just have to take it to the next level from here and just continue to improve every week.”
The Falcons are enjoying a win tonight, but a battle with division foe Carolina (2-1) awaits.
"I’m excited about being 2-1," Smith said. "We have a lot of things that we need to clean up all across the board with offense, defense, special teams and coaching. We look forward to watching this tape tomorrow. It is a whole lot easier to make corrections with a win. Next Sunday can’t get here quick enough.”
MORE FROM THE FALCONS-CHIEFS GAME:
- GAME RECAP: Big performances help down Chiefs, 28-14
- GAME NOTES: Official game notes from the Georgia Dome press box
- GAME CENTER: Stats and play-by-play on NFL.com game center
- GAME BLOG: Follow the action with news and updates on FalconsLIFE
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: News and commentary from the managing editor
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Babineaux | Abraham | Ryan | Brooking | Grimes | White
- NFL NETWORK: Highlights | Ryan-to-White TD | Turner Run
- TAILGATE TOUR: Falcon Al hits the lots before the Chiefs game
- INACTIVES: Inactive players and starters from the Chiefs game
- TRANSCRIPTS: Smith | Falcons | Chiefs
