ATLANTA — 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 another loss for the Panthers (0-2).
Ryan had a big first half for the Falcons, including another touchdown pass to new favorite receiver Tony Gonzalez, who made a brilliant fingertip grab on a 24-yard score. Jason Snelling and Roddy White also hauled in TD throws, giving Atlanta a 21-13 lead at the break.
Ryan completed 13 straight passes at one point and finished 21-of-27 for 220 yards, though he did have his first interception of the season.
