Falcons Manhandle Chargers To Remain One of Three Unbeatens

SAN DIEGO (AP) – After three weeks of the NFL season, three teams are sporting 3-0 records — Arizona, Atlanta and Houston.

If you asked the Atlanta Falcons, they would probably just as soon play AFC West teams for the rest of the season. The Falcons have beaten three AFC West teams in the opening three weeks.

The latest was a 27-3 trouncing of the Chargers in San Diego. Matt Ryan threw touchdown passes to three different receivers. He was 30 of 40 for 275 yards, but did throw his first interception of the season.

San Diego QB Philip Rivers had one of his worst statistical performances and the Chargers dropped to 2-1. Rivers was 21 of 38 for 173 yards, with two picks and a QB rating of 45.2.

The Arizona Cardinals ran over the Philadelphia Eagles 27-6 in perhaps their most impressive performance. The Cardinals are off to their best start in 38 years. Kevin Kolb (KAHB) was sharp, completing 17 of 24 passes for 222 yards and a pair of TDs.

James Sanders returned one of Michael Vick’s two fumbles 93 yards for a touchdown

The Cardinals also have won seven straight home games, the second-longest streak in franchise history.

Philadelphia is 2-1. The Eagles were the first NFL team to open a season with two one-point wins. The Eagles didn’t give themselves a chance to rally.

The Houston Texans are 3-0 for the first time in franchise history. Matt Schaub outplayed Peyton Manning in leading the Texans to a 31-25 win over Denver at Mile High. Schaub finished 17 for 30 for 290 yards. Six days after throwing three interceptions in the first quarter of a loss to Atlanta, Manning didn’t throw any picks. But the Broncos fell behind 20-0 early and never recovered.

The Texans improved to 3-16 lifetime against Manning and beat him for the first time in a road game.