The Falcons played hard in this game before coming up just a bit short yesterday.  Matt Ryan completed 26 of 40 passes for 199 yards with 2 TD passes and 2 interceptions.  Michael Turner had one of his toughest games of the season as he only finished with 42 yards rushing on 18 carries (2.3 ypc) with a TD run.  He also lost a fumble that was returned for a TD.  Roddy White (11 rec, 84 yards, TD) and Michael Jenkins (5 rec, 51 yards) led the way in the passing game for the Falcons yesterday.  The Falcons finished up with 60 yards rushing on 24 carries (2.5 ypc) and they also completed 24 of 40 passes for 190 yards.

Linebacker Coy Wire and safety Erik Coleman led the way for the Falcons on defense with 8 tackles apiece.  The Cardinals finished up with 86 yards rushing on 28 carries (3.1 ypc) and they also completed 19 of 32 passes for 271 yards.

23-year old rookie QB Matt Ryan was outstanding for the Falcons this season as he led them to the playoffs.  Ryan played in 16 games (all starts) this season and he completed 265 for 434 (61.1%) for 3,440 yards with 16 TD passes and 11 interceptions (87.7 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 55 times for 104 yards (1.9 ypc) with 1 TD run.  Ryan is such a beacon in the darkness that was the Falcons the last couple of seasons due to Michael Vick spending time in prison for dog fighting.  Now the Falcons can get rid of Vick once and for all and move on.

31-year old Chris Redman will likely be the backup for the Falcons again next season despite not playing a down in 2008.  He has played in 17 games (10 starts) in his NFL career and he has completed 195 of 347 passes (56.2%) for 2,190 yards with 17 TD passes and 10 interceptions (79.5 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 21 times for 28 yards (1.3 ypc).

This should be a great matchup.  In week #4 the Panthers pounded the Falcons 24-9 in Carolina.  But, the Panthers have not really played too well on the road this season.  They are 2-2 on the road but they have been outscored 77-56 in those games.  The Falcons have really been a great home team as they are 4-1 in Atlanta and they have outscored the opponents 148-99!  The Panthers will likely attempt to keep the ball on the ground with D’Angelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart who each rushed for over 100 yards last week.  The Falcons allow 119.6 yards rushing per game and 4.9 ypc so the Panthers should have some success on the ground tomorrow.  The Panthers must keep DE John Abraham (11 sacks) out of their backfield or Jake Delhomme could have some trouble.  The Falcons allow 226.4 yards passing per game this season so if Delhomme has time to throw then Steve Smith and Mushin Muhammad could have big games.

The Falcons’ offensive line has been great this season as they have only allowed 12 sacks while averaging 153.4 yards rushing per game.  The Panthers are allowing 107.6 yards rushing per game this season and 4.0 ypc so Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood should have good games.  The Falcons must keep DE Julius Peppers (9 sacks) out of the backfield to give Matt Ryan time to throw the ball.  Ryan better be careful because the Panthers have more interceptions (9) then the opponents have TD passes (8).  Still, Ryan will be looking for Roddy White often as he is having a monster season.

PREDICTION:  ATLANTA FALCONS 30, CAROLINA PANTHERS 27

The Atlanta Falcons have taken off the training wheels for rookie QB Matt Ryan and he’s been rewarding them.  He has played in 9 games for the Falcons this season and he has completed 149 of 250 passes (59.6%) for 1,909 yards with 11 TD passes and 5 interceptions (89.9 QB Rating).  Ryan has also carried the ball 26 times for 54 yards (2.1 ypc) this season.  Ryan will likely be one of the best QBs in the NFL in the near future if the Falcons can get him a legit TE and another WR to go with Roddy White.

The Broncos (5-4) and Falcons (6-3) are both having good seasons and this is a huge game for both of them.  The Broncos will likely come out throwing the ball this week seeing how they will be starting rookie fullback Peyton Hillis at tailback.  Jay Cutler should have success throwing the ball against the Falcons as they allow 228.4 yards passing per game.  The Broncos’ O-Line has been terrific this season allowing only 7 sacks but DE John Abraham (11 sacks) will have his sites on Jay Cutler all game long.  If Cutler has time to throw the ball Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal and TE Tony Scheffler could all be in line for big games.

The Falcons will come out doing what they are best at and that’s running the ball against a Broncos’ defense that is allowing 146.3 yards rushing per game and 5.1 yards per carry.  The Broncos don’t have the linebackers to deal with Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood.  If the Broncos sneak up to stop the run, look for rookie QB Matt Ryan to go over the top to Roddy White and Michael Jenkins against the Broncos who are allowing 242.8 yards passing per game.  Opposing QBs have a stunning 103.2 QB Rating against the Broncos this season.

PREDICTION:  ATLANTA FALCONS 34, DENVER BRONCOS 30