ROUGH START
The game began on a sour note for Los Angeles, who felt the absence of regular kick returner Benny Cunningham. With the running back out with a neck injury, rookie wide receiver Mike Thomas lined up to receive the opening kickoff. But as the ball came in, Thomas muffed it on the goal line and Atlanta recovered on the Los Angeles three-yard line.
The Falcons capitalized on the sudden change in just one play, with quarterback Matt Ryan hitting wide receiver Justin Hardy with a back-shoulder throw in the end zone for a three-yard touchdown.