The Atlanta Falcons intercepted Peyton Manning's passes three times in the the first quarter, setting up a 27-21 win over the Denver Broncos in the NFL on Monday.

It was an erratic effort by Manning that showed his comeback in Denver is still a work in progress.

Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan threw the 100th touchdown pass of his career and Roddy White had 102 yards receiving for the Falcons, who have won back-to-back games to open the season.

Willis McGahee scored on two touchdown runs in the fourth quarter to give the Broncos late hope. But, on third down, Ryan connected with Julio Jones on a 6-yard pass that gave Atlanta a crucial first down with less than 2 minutes to go, and they ran down the clock from there.

Manning's velocity is supposed to be nearly the same as it was before four neck surgeries and missing his entire final season in Indianapolis, but he threw a number of passes that seemed to just hang in the air long enough for the Falcons to step in front of them. Other times, it looked as though he had to put everything he had on the ball to get it where he wanted, even if it wasn't necessarily deep.

He finished 24 of 37 for 241 yards, including a touchdown pass to Demaryius Thomas just before halftime.

The only other time Manning was picked off three times in the opening quarter was with the Colts in a 2007 game at San Diego.

Ryan was much more efficient than the four-time MVP, completing 24 of 36 for 219 yards. He hooked up with Tony Gonzalez for a touchdown pass in the second quarter, then went to White in the third period.

Michael Turner scored Atlanta's first TD on a run, the play set up by the first of Manning's picks. Matt Bryant kicked two field goals for the Falcons.

McGahee finished with 113 yards on 22 carries