Spencer Larsen made history in his first NFL start. Larsen, a rookie, became the first Denver player to start on offense and defense in the same game when he opened yesterday's matchup against Atlanta as the team's middle linebacker and fullback. He also opened the game on special teams, too.

Larsen's role as a two-way starter on offense and defense was a secret this week.

Denver coach Mike Shanahan told reporters after the 24-20 win against the Falcons he closed practice about 30 minutes early each day this week because "I can't trust you guys in Denver."

Larsen said he was told Monday he would play linebacker this week, but he said even he was surprised to also start on offense.

"I didn't think I would play much fullback," Larsen said.

He said he had to remain quiet about his practice time at linebacker.

"They needed me on defense," Larsen said. "We were real quiet about it. I was real excited about it, but I was able to keep my cool. It was fun and challenging. At fullback, you really know what to do, but at linebacker, it's a different world."

Larsen was third on the team with seven tackles. He didn't have a carry or a catch at fullback.

He also played on Denver's kickoff coverage and kickoff return teams.

Larsen is the first NFL player to start on offense and defense since Dec. 14, 2003, when Baltimore's Orlando Brown started at offensive tackle and defensive tackle at Oakland.

A sixth-round draft pick from Arizona, Larsen worked at linebacker and fullback in training camp before becoming a full-time fullback behind starter Peyton Hillis.

Quarterback Peyton Manning passed Fran Tarkenton for seventh on the NFL's career completions list. Tarkenton had 3,686 completions; Manning now has 3,702. ... Wide receiver Marvin Harrison passed Jim Brown for ninth on the NFL touchdowns list. Harrison now has 126 touchdowns while Brown has 125.

Kicker Matt Stover set an NFL record kicking his 372nd consecutive point after touchdown. The kick broke the record Stover shared with Jason Elam (1993-2002) and Jeff Wilkins (1999-2007). Stover started his streak in 1996.

Running back Deuce McAllister tied Dalton Hilliard for first place on New Orleans' career list with 53 touchdowns.

Wide receiver Antonio Chatman suffered a neck injury and was wheeled off the field as a precaution in the second quarter of a game against the Eagles. Chatman was hit high and hard by safety Quintin Mikell after he made a catch. Chatman fumbled the ball as Mikell brought him down with an arm around his neck. The sixth-year receiver stayed on the ground on his back after the Eagles recovered the ball. He raised his right leg while trainers attended to him. Chatman was strapped to a back board and wheeled off the field. X-rays were normal and Chatman had full movement in his arms and legs. He was taken for more diagnostic tests.

Kicker Jason Hanson passed Nick Lowery for eighth place on the NFL's career scoring list with 1,714 points.