After a first quarter that featured quarterback Peyton Manning throwing three interceptions in his first eight passes of the game, the Broncos managed to avoid digging themselves too big of a hole and trail the Falcons, 10-0.
After receiving the opening kickoff, the Broncos lost two yards before Manning threw an interception to William Moore. The pick led to a one yard touchdown run by Michael Turner that gave the Falcons a seven point lead less than two minutes into the game.
While Manning threw interceptions in each of the next two drives, first by Thomas DeCoud and then by Robert McClain, the Broncos defense was able to slow the bleeding and hold the Falcons to just one field goal after the two turnovers.
The Broncos continued their offensive struggles, though, as Willis McGahee fumbled with less than 10 seconds remaining in the opening quarter and resulted in a ruled recovery by the Falcons, although it was a Broncos player that came out of the pile holding the ball.
Atlanta will begin the second quarter with the ball on their own 20-yard line with a second down and seven.
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