While the weather in San Diego was typically perfect, the Falcons-Chargers game on Sunday was anything but.
The Falcons did a lot right to warrant the 22-16 win, but they also managed to make some atypical mistakes that could have cost them the game.
The Atlanta offensive big three came up big. Quarterback Matt Ryan was 17-for-23 for 207 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Michael Turner rushed for 120 yards and wide receiver Roddy White caught six passes for 112 yards, surpassing the 1,000-yard plateau on his second reception.
Atlanta continued to get big plays, but from a variety of unsung heroes. Defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux, fresh off his contract extension signed on Tuesday, contributed 1.5 sacks and rookie defensive end Kroy Biermann chipped in with his first career sack.
On offense, tight end Justin Peelle caught a touchdown pass and emerging do-it-all man Harry Douglas added his first receiving touchdown of the season on the heels of his standout game last week against Carolina, in which he returned a punt for a touchdown and rushed for one as well.
But on this holiday weekend Atlanta has a lot for which to be thankful. Not many teams can travel across the country, turn the ball over three times and walk away winners. The Falcons definitely had some holiday magic working in their favor on Sunday.
The defense stepped up to plate again this week to bail out an offense that scored 20 of the 22 points, but also left the game in doubt with the turnovers and a few miscues.
On the first possession in the first quarter, Atlanta drove 49 yards only to have Ryan overthrow Michael Jenkins in the end zone. Jenkins was wide open, but the rookie quarterback couldn't quite put enough touch on it for the fifth-year receiver, also a newly extended player, to reel it in. The Falcons were only able to come away with a field goal on that drive.
Another first-quarter mistake came for the Falcons on the following possession when the Chargers punted to return man Douglas. He fumbled the catch and San Diego recovered on Atlanta's 20 yard-line.
Four plays later, running back LaDainian Tomlinson found the end zone for the only time on Sunday. After that touchdown run, Tomlinson was heard from little for the remainder of the game. Atlanta's defense held the running back to 24 yards rushing, the second-lowest total of his career.
On the next possession Ryan found White on an impressive 38-yard reception but could do little more, coming away with another field goal.
After a calm, yet stern conversation with Douglas from Atlanta's coach, Mike Smith, the rookie return man took the first step toward making up for his prior costly turnover in the second quarter. Fielding a punt at his own 22, Douglas returned it 32 yards to open up the Falcons' first possession of the second quarter.
Coach Smith's early decision to go for it on 4th-and-1 was successful, showing once again his faith in his offensive line and the running game, and on the next play Ryan connected with Peelle for an 18-yard touchdown.
A great tackle by special-teamer David Irons started the Chargers' offense at its own eight-yard line and the Falcons' defense increased the pressure on San Diego.
After a penalty, safety Lawyer Milloy
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