ST. LOUIS, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Matt Ryan turned in a near-perfect first period Friday and Atlanta used the quick start to put together a 20-13 exhibition win over St. Louis.
Ryan started all 16 games at quarterback in his rookie season with the Falcons last year and looked in good form Friday while completing 7-of-8 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown.
He drove Atlanta 77 yards on its opening possession, with Michael Turner scoring on a 1-yard run. The Falcons then marched 70 yards in eight plays, a drive Ryan finished by hitting Tony Gonzalez with a 14-yard pass.
Kyle Boller was 9-of-16 for 91 yards, but the Rams could manage only one touchdown. That came on a 20-yard throw from Brock Berlin to Derek Stanley in the third period.
Both teams are 1-1 in their exhibition outings.
