Monday Roundup: Falcons nip Bears again, Lee Pitches Phils to win

Once again the Atlanta Falcons welcomed the Bears into the Georgia Dome and once again the Falcons survived the match-up with a close 21-14 victory. Last night, Matt Ryan threw for two first half touchdowns, but it was Michael Turner's fourth quarter five-yard touchdown that gave Atlanta the game. Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez each caught a touchdown pass from Ryan as Matty Ice was 19-33 with two interceptions and just 185 yards. Jay Cutler meanwhile lost this trip to the Dome after winning last season with Denver. Cutler threw for two scores and 300 yards but coughed it up twice as well. Michael Turner rushed for just 30 yards but had the game-winning score with 3:05 left in the game. The Bears had a chance to tie the game, but Cutler's pass to Desmond Clark was incomplete inside the ten-yard line with about thirty seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. The Falcons improved to 4-1 with the win.

The Falcons win was necessary to keep pace with the New Orleans Saints, who crushed the previously unbeaten New York Giants 48-27. Drew Brees was 23-30 for 369 yards and four touchdowns as the Saints improved to 5-0this season. Seven different players scored a touchdown for New Orleans. Minnesota had to have a missed field goal in order to stay unscathed this season as the Vikings edged Baltimore 33-31. Steve Hauschka missed a 44-yard field goal attempt as time expired to preserve the win for Brett Favre and the Vikings. Finally, Tom Brady set an NFL record with 5 touchdown passes in one quarter as the Patriots crushed the Titans 59-0. Brady threw for 6 TDs overall despite snowy conditions.

Reigning AL Cy Young winner Cliff Lee was once again dominant, this time it was game three of the NLCS as the Phillies took down the LA Dodgers 11-0 and took a two games to one lead. Lee struck out ten and gave up just three hits in eight innings. The Phillies led 4-0 after the first and 6-0 after two as Ryan Howard notched a triple and Jayson Werth homered in the win.

Despite overtaking Florida in the AP Poll, the Crimson Tide of Alabama is still looking up at the Gators in the first BCS Poll, released yesterday. Florida is first in the first Bowl Championship Series standings, followed by Alabama, Texas, Boise State and Cincinnati. Georgia Tech checks in at No.12 in the BCS following the big win over Virginia Tech. The Jackets are No.11 in the AP poll and No.13 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. GT travels to face UVA next Saturday. Georgia received just 12 votes in the USA Today poll.