Falcs shed SB demons and hold on late

IN THEIR first game since Super Bowl LI, the Falcons did their best to make everyone forget about 28-3.

All Matt Ryan was trying to do was make something out of a broken play when he saw tight end Austin Hooper wide open near midfield.

He wound up throwing a huge touchdown pass to help Atlanta squeeze out a season-opening victory.

Ryan connected with Hooper on an 88-yard TD and led two fourth-quarter scoring drives, and the NFC champion Atlanta Falcons held on to beat the host Chicago Bears 23-17 on Sunday.

The butt of jokes following their epic Super Bowl collapse against New England when they led 28-3 in the second half, the Falcons survived as the Bears missed several chances to score a touchdown in the final seconds. the Titans. Lynch later accidentally interrupted Jack Del Rio’s postgame interview and told a team official he had been available for three minutes. “They didn’t holler at me. I’m good right?” Lynch said to laughter before closing the door and leaving. are back with everyone in Florida,” coach Doug Marrone said, “... and hoping that they’re safe.”