The Atlanta Falcons led the Philadelphia Eagles, 14-0, through the first quarter Sunday after a near-perfect performance from Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and the Atlanta defense.
The defense had it much easier. Because of two sustained drives that Ryan led, the Falcons' defense was only on the field for five plays. It allowed five yards and no first downs.
The Falcons took an early lead on their first drive of the game, a slow-burning drive that took 8:44 of clock and 16 plays. On the drive, Atlanta converted five third downs, including a 3rd-and-7 play from the Philadelphia 15-yard line on which Ryan hit wide receiver Drew Davis for a touchdown. Davis had caught his first career pass earlier in the drive.
Ryan was 6-of-7 on the drive for 62 yards.
After the initial touchdown drive, the Falcons' defense picked up where the offense had left off, forcing Philadelphia into a three-and-out on its first drive. The Eagles lost three yards on the drive.
On its second drive, Atlanta drew a pass interference call on Eagles cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie that netted the Falcons 22 yards. Five plays later, Ryan hit Jason Snelling for a three-yard touchdown with 32 seconds left in the quarter.