Atlanta Falcons Serve Lions and Media Large Helping of Crow

Peyton Manning couldn't do it. Troy Aikman couldn't do it. Not only did rookie Matt Ryan win in his NFL debut, he did it with style.

With the first pass of his NFL career, Ryan connected with Michael Jenkins for a 62-yard touchdown pass and finished the day with 161 yards, the one touchdown, and no interceptions.

Free-agent acquisition Michael Turner not only showed that he can carry the rushing load throughout an entire game, he broke the team's franchise record for most yards in a game with 220 on 22 carries. Combine the two stellar performances by the newest members of the Falcons, along with a three-sack day by veteran defensive end John Abraham, and you have the keys to a 34-21 Falcons victory.

A victory over Detroit a season does not make, but for a team that was pegged as one of the worst in the NFL, today's win made a statement that these are not last year's Falcons. Ranked 32nd in most NFL power ranking polls, the Falcons were even three-point underdogs in their own home.

Yet despite all the negative press, the questions about the draft, and nobody giving them a chance, the Falcons drew a line in the sand.

Yes, there were some hiccups along the way. If you had Brent Grimes stand on Chris Houston's shoulders, they might be as tall as Calvin Johnson. Keith Brooking is still over-pursuing, Adam Jennings still averages under four yards per punt return, and the team had too many penalties. Yet despite all the youth, the oversized matchups and penalties, the Falcons stood on that line and dared the Lions to step over it.

Falcons fans haven't had much to cheer about in recent years, but today's win can be savored and looked upon as the start of something positive after suffering through so much negativity.