Falcons hold off Panthers 28-20

ATLANTA (AP) — Jake Delhomme nearly made it through an entire game without a turnover.

Then, with just 2 1/2 minutes to go, Chris Houston handed the Carolina quarterback a familiar setback.

Matt Ryan threw three touchdown passes in the first half and Houston stopped a Delhomme-led rally at the end, intercepting a pass at the Falcons 4 to preserve Atlanta's 28-20 win over the Panthers on Sunday.

Delhomme had accounted for 11 turnovers in his two previous games, including a four-interception, one-fumble fiasco against Philadelphia to open the season. He was much better against the Falcons (2-0), completing 25 of 41 for 308 yards and a touchdown.

But the result was the same for the Panthers (0-2). Another loss.