Matt Ryan got his first NFL victory with the team’s 17-3 win over the Titans.

Ryan went 15-of-21 for 102 yards and a touchdown, and likely clinched the starting job.

The Titans were unhappy with the Falcons’ physical play. Said Titans corner Cortland Finnegan: “I don’t want to say anything too crazy. I don’t want to go into details about how I really feel, but they were playing past the whistle, yeah. You don’t back down from any guys like that, at all. All that extra-curricular activity after the whistle is bush league.”

The Falcons took four 15-yard personal foul penalties.

And nine penalties for 101 yards in all. Said Mike Smith: “This is cut-down week throughout the league, a lot of guys trying to impress coaches about their passion for the game and how hard they want to play. We had entirely too many personal foul penalties. They were chippy on both sides We’ve got to address that.”

After missing two straight seasons, Brian Finneran had a good performance with five catches and 53 yards.

Right tackle Todd Weiner played for the first time since last November, and did well against Jevon Kearse despite taking a false start.

Second-round linebacker Curtis Lofton was impressive and active against the Titans.

The game was blacked out in Atlanta due to low turnout.