Falcons 24, Raiders 0

OAKLAND -- Even in the depths of the Michael Vick-and Bobby Petrino-inspired despair last year in Atlanta, the Falcons never sank as low as they sent the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.

Matt Ryan threw two first-half touchdown passes to Michael Jenkins and the Falcons held the Raiders to negative yards and no first downs in the first half of a 24-0 victory.

In a six-year stretch of losing and embarrassment in Oakland, Al Davis’ once-proud franchise might have reached a new nadir in front of a half-filled stadium of fans who began booing the Raiders (2-6) just minutes into the game. Oakland finished with 77 yards, its worst total since getting 58 in 1961 against San Diego.

The Falcons (5-3) scored on their first four possessions as Ryan had open receivers to pick from almost every time he dropped back.

Atlanta also posted its first shutout since 2002, preserving it with an interception in the end zone midway through the fourth quarter.

Quoteworthy: “ . . . If they’re not bringing anything to the table, then get off the ship, period.” -- Gibril Wilson, Raiders safety, on his teammates