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The Associated Press
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ATLANTA - Matt Ryan threw for a 62-yard touchdown with his first NFL pass, Michael Turner set an Atlanta record with 220 yards rushing and the Falcons began a new era with a 34-21 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday.Ryan hooked up with Michael Jenkins on the third snap of the game, becoming the first quarterback since New England's Michael Bishop in 2000 to throw for a score with his first pro pass.Turner, Atlanta's big free-agent signing, broke Gerald Riggs' 24-year-old team rushing record, scoring on runs of 66 and 5 yards. Jerious Norwood added 93 yards on the ground and the Falcons set another record with 318 yards rushing overall, breaking the mark of 306 against Tampa Bay in 2006.Jon Kitna threw a pair of touchdown passes for the Lions, who went 4-0 during the preseason but got off to a dismal start, even bickering among themselves on the sideline.
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