FALCONS 31, PANTHERS 24

Matt Ryan ran for a pair of scores for the first time in his career and threw a pair of TD passes. After scoring on a one-yard sneak that pushed Atlanta (1-1) to a 24-10 lead early in the third quarter, Ryan delivered the biggest blow with a brilliant scamper midway through the fourth quarter. On thirdand-5 from the Carolina eight, he looked around futilely for an open receiver, spotted a running lane to the left and took off for the end zone. There were three Carolina players waiting for him at the goal-line but Ryan leaped in the air and bowled them all over for the TD that gave Atlanta a two-touchdown lead over the Panthers (1-1). Ryan finished 23 of 28 passing for 272 yards.