Broncos @ Falcons

[Vin+ 3,121]

Peyton Manning's first start with the Denver Broncos arguably exceeded many people's expectations for him.

 

There's no shortage of expectations for Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons following their Week 1 performance.

 

Manning and the Broncos visit Ryan and the Falcons on Monday night, with both quarterbacks looking to lead their teams to a 2-0 start.

 

Returning from a 20-month layoff that involved four surgeries on his neck, Manning was stellar in a 31-19 win over Pittsburgh last Sunday night, going 19 of 26 for 253 yards and two touchdowns.

 

Entering last week, Manning, who was cut by Indianapolis in March, discussed the difficulty of playing with a new organization, but he showed little rust in his first action since Jan. 8, 2011, when the Colts lost 17-16 to New York in an AFC wild-card matchup.

 

"It's just one game. I try to keep it in perspective," Manning said. "I know how hard I've worked to get to this point. I know how much help that I've gotten along the way, from a lot of people. I'm very grateful for that. It's special. I will definitely say it's special."

 

The future Hall of Famer threw his first touchdown, and 400th of his career, in the third quarter on a 71-yard pass to Demaryius Thomas. Manning led three 80-yard scoring drives, but his success wasn't a surprise to coach John Fox.

 

"I've seen improvement every time he's gone out, going back to the beginning of preseason and even before that," Fox said Monday. "Physically, mentally, him adjusting to new teammates, new coaches, I think he's been tremendous."

 

Like Manning, Thomas is looking to prove doubters wrong after two injury-shortened campaigns with the Broncos. He finished with 551 yards receiving and four touchdowns in 11 games - five starts - last year.

 

While surgery to remove pins in his pinky led to a late start for Thomas, his potential was again evident in Week 1, with the former first-round draft pick recording five catches for 110 yards. He had two 100-plus yard receiving games previously in his career, both in 2011.

 

"He's made me a smarter receiver and taught me how to run routes the way he wanted them, the way to get open," Thomas said of Manning. "Basically, I had to change up some things that I wasn't doing before. Working with Peyton helped me."

 

The Falcons haven't had to worry about a learning curve. Ryan is in his fifth season running Atlanta's offense, and he started 2012 with a 40-24 win at Kansas City last Sunday.

 

The Falcons averaged 6.8 yards per play and finished with 376 yards overall. Ryan completed 23 of 31 passes for 299 yards, accounting for three touchdowns through the air and one rushing score.

 

Julio Jones made six catches for 108 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

 

"We felt like we had all the tools," center Todd McClure said. "We knew if we executed right, we could have that type of production. But going into the game, we probably didn't think it would be that easy or we'd put up that many points."

 

Jones, the sixth overall pick in the 2011 draft, had 54 catches with eight touchdowns and 959 yards last year - first and second among rookies, respectively.

 

Ryan and Jones could have more difficulty opening up the passing game against Champ Bailey and the Denver defense, which held Ben Roethlisberger to 209 yards passing - 98 in the second half.

 

However, that could open up more room for Michael Turner, who was limited to 32 yards on 11 carries in the opener.

 

Despite the lack of success in the running game, Atlanta wasn't overly concerned.

 

"We want to be able to run the ball effectively," coach Mike Smith said. "But with our game plan, that was not the main thing we wanted to accomplish."

 

While Week 1 for the offense couldn't have gone better for Atlanta, the Falcons lost star cornerback Brent Grimes to a season-ending Achilles injury.

 

Christopher Owens, one of the players expected to have to step up with Grimes out, is looking forward to facing Manning.

 

"This is like facing Mike Tyson in a 12-round bout, but I'm excited for the opportunity," Owens said. "It's unfortunate what happened with Grimes, but the next man's got to step up, and that's the mentality you've got to have with this team."

 

This is the first meeting between these clubs since Denver's 24-20 road win Nov. 16, 2008, when then-rookie Ryan threw for 250 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.

 

That was one of only four losses in 30 career regular-season home games for Ryan.

 

Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press.

 

I've got a feeling the Falcons are going to be more of a test for the Broncos than the Steelers were last week.

[Barracuda 629]

The Falcons losing Brent Grimes is huge. I'd rather put my money on Manning winning me a regular season game opposed to Matt Ryan.

 

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Edited September 15, 2012 by Barracuda

[Dutch 874]

This is one of the games of the week and can't wait for this matchup. Not having Grimes is going to hurt. I see Manning pulling out another win. Both teams put up a lot of points though.

 

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[RazorStar 4,025]

Not gonna take Julio Jones or Roddy White lightly. This game is gonna down to the smarter team, I only hope that ball is in our court.

[Bay 2,003]

I think I'm one of the few who likes Atlanta here Grimes or no Grimes.

[AllYouNeedIsLovie 377]

I think I'm one of the few who likes Atlanta here Grimes or no Grimes.

 

I'm with you.

 

Not having Grimes will definitely impact the game, especially with Peyton as the opposing QB, but the Falcons still have Robinson and Samuel. I think the Falcons win this in a shootout. I'll be rooting for the Broncos though.

[ATL_Predator+ 1,196]

Absolutely huge game. Can't wait to attend this Monday Night. It's going to come down to protection of the QB and smarts by both teams. Can't turn the ball over if you want to win. I've never liked Peyton when he plays the Falcons, but I think this is the Falcons best shot ever to beat him. It's going to be one hell of a game that's for sure.

[housemd 338]

Falcons win without Brent Grimes..

 

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[Glanvilles Grits 142]

Peyton Manning has historically played great against the Falcons, so it should be a tough game to win for the Falcons. However, there are two things that make me stick with my pick of the Falcons winning this game:

 

- The Georgia Dome, the Falcons ALWAYS show up and play great in the Dome.

- Matt Ryan and his receivers, they are clicking right now. I don't see that stopping tonight.

 

Not to mention that the Falcons home opener is always good for the Falcons.

[Thanatos 2,847]

Let's go Broncos!

 

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The Georgia Dome, the Falcons ALWAYS show up and play great in the Dome.

 

Oh really?

[Dutch 874]

Set yourself up for that one

[Vin+ 3,121]

Falcons WLB Sean Weatherspoon (hamstring) is active in Week 2 on Monday night.

 

Weatherspoon was limited in practice on Friday and Saturday, but he was still expected to play. Right tackle Tyson Clabo (hip) is also active.

 

Atlanta declared CB Terrence Johnson, OLs Joe Hawley and Lamar Holmes, DLs Jonathan Massaquoi and Cliff Matthews, S Charles Mitchell, and third QB Dominique Davis inactive against the Broncos.

 

 

 

Broncos declared RB Ronnie Hillman, WR Andre Caldwell, OLs Philip Blake and Chris Kuper, CB Chris Harris, and DL Sealver Siliga inactive for Week 2 against the Falcons on Monday night.

 

Hillman is over his hamstring injury but is still learning how to pass protect, so Willis McGahee and Knowshon Moreno will carry the load. Harris is out with an ankle injury, and Tony Carter will handle nickel duties in his absence. Kuper has a broken forearm. Caleb Hanie is the third quarterback.

[AllYouNeedIsLovie 377]

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Rooting for the Broncos though.

[AllYouNeedIsLovie 377]

Falcons sure seem fine without Grimes. They've already picked off Peyton twice.

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

Now thrice. Quite the quarter for Denvers favorite member of the Aryan Brotherhood.

[oochymp 2,393]

the refs are losing control of this game quickly

[Zack_of_Steel+ 3,014]

Like I said in the shout box, I hope Manning breaks the record for interceptions in a game and then retires so he can go pout (and blame everyone else).

Edited September 18, 2012 by Zack_of_Steel

[AllYouNeedIsLovie 377]

Surprised they have such shitty refs for a primetime game.

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

I actually like this crew, the head official in particular. I think they did one of our preseason games.

[DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241]

Nice grab

[DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241]

This game is gonna end at 1 AM yo. lol. Can't believe its just halftime.

[oochymp 2,393]

the officiating is almost making this game unwatchable

[SteVo+ 3,702]

the officiating is almost making this game unwatchable

 

If there were ever a breaking point for the replacement refs, this is it. Goodell and his "the refs are good and will improve" comments can suck a bag of dicks.

[RazorStar 4,025]

I miss Chris Harris, he was a great nickel corner.

[Glanvilles Grits 142]

The officiating was pretty terrible, but not a person who watched the game could take the win away from the Falcons last night. That was a great defensive showing.

 

I couldn't believe the free-range that Nolan was allowing the players pre-snap, that was awesome! As it was said, these guys can only get better from here as they mesh together and understand what Nolan is trying to do as the season goes on. Despite Grimes being out, our secondary played phenomenal. William Moore and Thomas Decoud are coming into their own (both in 3rd season) and they keep on getting better every week. I've never seen a Falcons defense move like the guys were moving last night. Mike Nolan is an absolute mastermind. We would have never won a game of that caliber with Peyton Manning charging at the end of the game under BVG.