The best thing the Indianapolis Colts seem likely to get from the 2011 NFL season is the No. 1 overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft, presumably good for one (1) Andrew Luck. The Atlanta Falcons showed the Colts how much a big-time rookie can help on Sunday in a 31-7 romp.
NFL Scores Week 9, Falcons Vs. Colts: Atlanta Thumps Indy On The Road, 31-7
The Colts put up little fight against Atlanta in a 31-7 blowout in Week 9. But at least their chances at Andrew Luck got better.
Atlanta's Julio Jones, selected in the 2011 NFL Draft after a trade that cost the Falcons a ransom in draft picks, scored the first two touchdowns of his NFL career in the first half on separate spectacular plays. He finished with three catches for 131 yards and those two scores. Matt Ryan, another first-rounder, threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns in the victory.
Michael Turner also rushed for 71 yards and a touchdown for Atlanta.
Indianapolis' moribund offense, still missing injured four-time NFL MVP Peyton Manning, struggled all day. Both Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky failed to move the Colts, whose only points came on a Jerraud Powers interception return.
Maybe the best news for the Colts on Sunday? The Dolphins won, putting them in pole position in the Luck sweepstakes.
The win moves Atlanta to 5-3 on the season. The Colts fall to 0-9 with the loss.
For more on the Falcons, visit The Falcoholic. For more on the Colts, visit Stampede Blue. SB Nation has you covered for the rest of Week 9’s NFL action, too: check out all the Week 9 NFL news and scores and Week 9 fantasy stats, and Week 9 NFL video highlights in our dedicated StoryStreams, and head to SB Nation’s NFL hub any time for plenty more on the league.
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