Could the Falcons have one of the best defenses in the NFL?
It seems like it, as defensive end Kroy Biermann came up with an interception which was returned 31 yards for a touchdown en route to a 20-10 win over the Cleveland Browns.
Biermann deflected a Jake Delhomme pass on a third-and-seven play at the Browns 47-yard line with four minutes left in the game. Biermann dove to catch the ball and returned it for the score.
Overall, the defense came up with two interceptions, one fumble recovery and three sacks. They were also able to limit Browns running back Peyton Hillis to 10 carries for 28 yards. However Hillis did score the lone touchdown for Cleveland, scoring off a 19-yard touchdown pass from Seneca Wallace in the second quarter to put the Browns up 7-3. Hillis was limping all game long as he suffered a thigh injury last week.
Offensively, the Falcons struggled to get anything going on the ground or in the air. At one point, Matt Ryan completed only two of his first 11 passes. He was able to end the day 16-of-28 with 187 yards and a crucial 45-yard touchdown strike to Roddy White in the third quarter to put the Falcons up 13-10. White continues his hot streak, tallying five catches for 101 yards and one score.
Michael Turner was able to eclipse the 100-yard rushing mark for the second time this season, finishing the day with 19 carries on 140 yards. He wasn’t able to get it going until the second quarter as Turner went off the right side for a 55-yard run. That did not lead to points, though, as a Matt Bryant 30-yard field goal attempt was blocked by T.J. Ward.
Wallace started the game at QB for the Browns, but did not finish the game due to an ankle injury he suffered in the second quarter. Delhomme took his place and finished the game 13-of-23 with 97 yards and two interceptions which he threw in the fourth quarter.
John Abraham had one of his best games as a Falcon, notching two sacks and three tackles-for-loss. Jonathan Babineaux forced a Hillis fumble early in the first quarter which was recovered by Sean Weatherspoon and Stephen Nicholas came up with Delhomme’s second pick of the game late in the fourth quarter.
With the win, the Falcons have their first four-game winning streak since 2004 when they reached the NFC championship. They will continue their road trip when they take on the Philadelphia Eagles next Sunday before returning home to take on the Cincinnati Bengals on October 24. The win also keeps them first place in the NFC South.
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