Ryan asks for more, gives more at right time for Falcons
It wasn't a playoff game, but this was no ordinary victory for Matt Ryan and the Falcons over New York. (AP photo)
On the day following the Falcons’ loss at Carolina, Matt Ryan stood up in a team meeting and issued a mandate to his teammates.
“He told everybody, ‘I want an extra 30 minutes from everybody this week,’” Roddy White recalled. “In the film room, on the field, everywhere. And he said, ‘If you give me an extra 30 minutes, I’ll give you an extra hour.’”
Now, it would be presumptuous to suggest that one moment from this team’s leader is going to propel the Falcons to the postseason success that has been missing from the team and the quarterback’s respective resumes. But Sunday’s game has to count for something.
The Falcons saved their best performance of the season for when it mattered most — in December, against the defending Super Bowl champion and a week after they went splat in Charlotte. They body-slammed the New York Giants 34-0, moving a little closer to clinching home field through the NFL playoffs and, presumably, at least a smidgen closer to acceptance in the eyes of critics.
When a score is this lopsided, there are a lot of reasons for it. The defense had two early interceptions that were turned into 10 points and blanked an opponent for the first time since 2008. The offensive line dominated one of the NFL’s best front four. But at the center was Ryan, who outplayed Eli Manning. He completed 23 of 28 for 270 yards for three touchdowns and no interceptions. He completed a 12-yard laser to Tony Gonzalez in the end zone for one score, a 40-yard bomb to Julio Jones streaking down the left side for another.
Contrast that with Manning, who was held to 13-of-25 passing with two interceptions and was shut out for the first time in his career. (The Giants’ hadn’t been blanked since 1996.)
What will this mean for how Manning and Ryan are viewed in a few weeks when the playoffs open? Probably little. It’s no secret quarterbacks are defined by postseason success. A Ryan fan is going to lose a debate to a Manning fan every day on who’s the better quarterback for one simple reason: the ring finger.
But consider this comparison: Ryan is now a remarkable 55-21 (.724) in his NFL career in regular season. Relatively speaking, Manning is good but unremarkable at 77-56 (.579). Ryan has a better quarterback rating and a superior touchdown-to-interception ratio (Ryan: 122-60; Manning: 205-144). But in the playoffs Ryan is 0-3 and Manning is 8-3, including two Super Bowl titles, two Super Bowl MVP awards and last year’s 24-2 victory over Ryan and the Falcons in the Meadowlands.
No regular season game can make up for a playoff loss. But Ryan admitted that January game drove him “a little bit” this week. It also, at least in part, motivated him to issue the extra-30-minutes mandate to teammates.
“Roddy was listening?” Ryan said, laughing, when told about White’s comments.
Had Ryan ever made such a request before?
“I think that’s the first time. I’m learning. I’m getting old.”
Later, he added: “It was important for us as a team and in the locker room how we rebounded from last week. As coach [Mike] Smith preaches all the time, it’s how you respond to these situations [that defines you].”
The entire team did that. Center Todd McClure, a 13-year veteran, felt an edge all week, and called this “one of the best wins I’ve ever been a part of.
“There was a little bit of pressure — I’m not going to lie to you. But sometimes that causes you to play your best football. It means a lot for this team and it meant a lot for us on the line. And you see what happens when we can give Matt some time.”
Ryan was locked in. He looked it and felt it.
White again: “You can tell when he’s on. because he starts calling plays really fast, trying to get to the line of scrimmage because he’s in a groove and he wants to put pressure on the defense.”
This is what Ryan and the Falcons can look like when everything clicks. This is what they hope it looks like in a few weeks.
By Jeff Schultz
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117 comments Add your comment
Rise up
December 16th, 2012
8:20 pm
Ha ha. Choke is exposed as the true fraud he is. His qb is on his way to being cut and has moved on from dogs to coach killer. The falcons dominated the defending Super Bowl champs who hung 52 last week. There is nothing left in the tank but the prayer by him that the falcons stumble in the playoffs. Tough to swallow the falcons and Ryan playing so well. Sorry choke. Pick another cities blog. Next year you can whine on the eagles blogs about how the eagles shouldn’t have abandoned and cut their franchise qb. The falcons have had a winning record every year since ryan and smith got here. Historically unprecedented in falcon history.
Falcon James
December 16th, 2012
8:38 pm
Amazing to listen to the announcers beat the Falcon before the first drive was intercepted and then keep dissing by saying baby Manning has come back from 24 point deficits. This “Rodney Dangerfield” comparison is humorous as well. I don’t think I have every seen such a lop-sided victory, except maybe the Saint-Giant game where the Saint had they hat handed to them in much the same as the Giant had it handed to them today.
Nice win.
TrishaDishawareagle
December 16th, 2012
8:44 pm
I hate everything about and 99.999% of the people in, NYC, however, I will say it was a very Nice thing that Victor cruz did for the family of Young Jack Pinto, one of the children killed at Sandy Hook E S.
Thank you, Commissioner Goodell, for making an exception to the uniform policy for this tribute.
WTG Matty ICE, COach Smith, Roddy and Julio, Our O and D lines, our secondary, and special teams..total team domination!
Answer This
December 16th, 2012
8:50 pm
Great post Trisha
Matt"CHOKE" Ryan
December 16th, 2012
8:51 pm
Enter your comments here
rOdnEy "FRAUD" Harrison
December 16th, 2012
8:55 pm
Hey that girl, Matt “Choke” Ryan, choked on his own pube. I was a complete azz last week, calling matt ryan, i mean the atlanta falcons, a fraudulent team in disguise. i was completely wrong, and so is that damn queer Matt “choke” ryan.
hey atlanta? Where do the Falcons belong?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWIq5TDew3c
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 16th, 2012
9:15 pm
And the regular season champs are…..drum roll…..Falcants….
HA HA
AKA Superbowl Frauds
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 16th, 2012
9:19 pm
What about Carolina? Was that a total team effort?…..ha ha
goFalcons
December 16th, 2012
9:21 pm
On Feb. 3 as the clock hits 00:00 and the Gatorade is pulled on Coach Smith and Matt Ryan is holding the MVP Trophy and the team takes turns holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Tony Gonzalez is walking off the field saying he is going to Walt Disney World. Owner Blank’s suit is still perfect even though he has been celebrating the victory with the team. Only then will the critics have nothing to say, they will shut up. The media still will not give the Falcons credit but atleast they will have nothing more to say!!!!!!! Go Falcons
LOL at the Aints
December 16th, 2012
9:40 pm
Get back on the Bandwagon JSS,, there’s plenty of room!! LOL,, It just might be our year,,
jarvis
December 16th, 2012
9:40 pm
Choke’s the kind of ahole that won’t ever admit he’s wrong. He’ll spew that schlitz right up to kickoff of the Super Bowl, and then we’ll never hear from him again.
He’s weak like that.
Kenny G.
December 16th, 2012
9:42 pm
R.E.S.P.E.C.T. – That’s what this game represented. Finally played 60 minutes of a total game. Keep that momentum going.
Paul
December 16th, 2012
9:43 pm
One difference today was that the Falcons didn’t take their foot off the pedal and become ultra conservative like they usually do with a lead. They kept playing their game, and put their boots on the Giants’ necks. Previous wins were close in terms of score because of this switch to a conservative game plan when leading.
Keep it up!
Paul
December 16th, 2012
9:45 pm
Unbelievable how Choke doesn’t see how foolish he looks with his idiotic posts after this win.
It’s better to shut up and be thought a fool, Choke, instead of opening your mouth and removing all doubt.
JSS
December 16th, 2012
9:47 pm
LOL at the Aints
December 16th, 2012
9:40 pm
“Get back on the Bandwagon JSS,, there’s plenty of room!! LOL,, It just might be our year,,”
Sorry, I’d rather live in pit of Gabon Vipers than associate myself with a group of fans that includes people like you… No thanks, never ever ever…
LOL at the Aints
December 16th, 2012
9:57 pm
The Falcons looked like a well prepared team today,, very impressive. Go Birds!
LOL at the Aints
December 16th, 2012
9:58 pm
LOL,, thats alright JSS,, we dont need ya,,
LOL at the Aints
December 16th, 2012
9:59 pm
and JSS,, carefull, you dont know me, LOL
JSS
December 16th, 2012
10:01 pm
And don’t care to either…
LOL at the Aints
December 16th, 2012
10:03 pm
Point Taken MCR, I agree with you on that,, until we do something in the post season,, But I will tell you this,, I’ll take this over Cleveland LOL
LOL at the Aints
December 16th, 2012
10:04 pm
JSS, and the feeling is mutual,, Love ya man, Night Night,,
LOL at the Aints
December 16th, 2012
10:06 pm
Thanks,, I’ll be here all season, LOL, Try the Veal,,
JSS
December 16th, 2012
10:08 pm
And that dude is as trustworthy as Marcus Brutus…
Nick "CHOKE VICK's CAREER TO DEATH" Foles
December 16th, 2012
10:08 pm
It’s official, Bad Newz Football Management has tied the jumper cables to a certain MV7 and have thrown the switch, making him the only bankrupt, felon, two-time $100 million dollar loser in league history. Can’t beat out a third round glorified pretty boy clipboard holder, 2nd tier college hopper, noodle armed loser.
goFalcons
December 16th, 2012
10:12 pm
“He told everybody, ‘I want an extra 30 minutes from everybody this week,’” Roddy White recalled. “In the film room, on the field, everywhere. And he said, ‘If you give me an extra 30 minutes, I’ll give you an extra hour.’”………The good old give me 30 min extra talk! He needs to keep that speech to re use again. It can be heard on ESPN Instant Classic. It became a Instant Classic for Falcons fans
lees
December 16th, 2012
10:24 pm
Dan Patrick sure looked irritated tonight on the pre game show to have to report that the Falcons tore his Golden Child, Sir Eli, a new one
cloudodust
December 16th, 2012
10:44 pm
When the O-line and D have a day like today and they feel it was at best an average day, I’d feel real good about tomorrow.
Mike "CHOKE" Dogs To Death
December 16th, 2012
10:55 pm
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan
December 16th, 2012
9:19 pm
What about Carolina? Was that a total team effort?…..ha ha
_______________________________________________________________
The home team dominates the world champs for their 12th win, and this clown can only bring up one of their two losses. That all you got, Choke? What is your boy Vick doing this season? How come you don’t talk about him anymore? Hey Choke — you SUCK! HA HA
goFalcons
December 16th, 2012
10:57 pm
The Giant fans put on the blue and came to the game and shouted cruuuuuuuuzzzzzzz when he caught the ball at the start of the game. They thought they could take over the Dome like the Cubs took over Turner field back in 2003. LMAO, IT DID NOT WORK!!!!! The team RISE UP and destroyed the Giants. FYI, YOU CAN’T TAKE OVER THE DOME, IT IS HOME OF THE DIRTY BIRDS!!!!!
Fake Choke
December 16th, 2012
10:58 pm
That’s not the real Choke posting.
Answer This
December 16th, 2012
11:04 pm
Lol wow Choke from saying the Giants will win to back to last week…..come on man…..STOP IT
Professer Waldo E. Culpecker
December 16th, 2012
11:30 pm
Falcons are now licking their chops to get at the Lions and not the Lions doing the licking to finish this home field advantage thing off and make em come through the Dome, a tough place to play, just ask Eli..
goFalcons
December 16th, 2012
11:46 pm
Falcons won the Elite QB Manning Brother’s Trophy this yr. It is decorated with one body two heads and 7 footballs to rep the INT. the Falcons had against them
sckot
December 17th, 2012
5:00 am
Anybody realize the Falcons swept the nfc east and afc west. Just sayin
Thomas Brown
December 17th, 2012
5:41 am
____________
Michael Vick :
____________
11 years
Position Rank # 25
56 % Completions
2,854 attempts 122 touchdowns
Interceptions 81 fumbles 85
80.7 Career Rating
34 Rushing Touchdowns 7 yards per rush
20,077 Yards Passing
Play-Off Losses : 4
Play-Off Wins : 2
__________
Matt Ryan :
__________
5 years
Position Rank # 8
63 % completions
2,561 attempts 122 touchdowns
Interceptions 60 fumbles 23
90.3 Career Rating
5 Rushing Touchdowns 2.3 yards per rush
18,440 Yards Passing
Play-Off Losses : 3
Play-Off Wins : 0
_____
2009 :
_____
11-6 Michael Vick’s team including 0-1 Play-Offs
9-7 Matt Ryan’s team including 0-0 Play-Offs
_____
2010:
_____
11-7 Michael Vick’s team including 1-1 Play-Offs
13-4 Matt Ryan’s team including 0-1 Play-Offs
_____
2011 :
_____
8-8 Michael Vick’s team including 0-0 Play-Offs
10-7 Matt Ryan’s team including 0-1 Play-Offs
_____
2012 :
_____
4-10 Michael Vick’s team including 0-0 Play-Offs
12-2 Matt Ryan’s team with 1 Win Play-Offs ties Michael Vick 2009 on
___________________________________
Mike Smith’s 5th year, Matt Ryan’s 5th year
___________________________________
34-31 Vick’s teams including 1-2 Play-Offs Eagles last 4 years
44-20 Ryan’s teams including 0-2 Play-Offs Falcons last 4 years
____________________
2008 Five (5) Years ago :
____________________
11-6 Matt Ryan’s team including 0-1 Play-Offs
0-0 Michael Vick’s team Prison 21 months plead guilty Felony
Arbitrator ruled Michael Vick return Arthur Blank Falcons $ 20 million knowing involved in illegal gambling and used singing bonus to fund dog-fighting ring. Also had 8 off-field issues.
_________________________________________________
Total 5 seasons’ Michael Vick’s teams vs Matt Ryan’s teams
_________________________________________________
34-31 Michael Vick’s teams including 1-2 Play-Offs
55-26 Matt Ryan’s teams including 0-3 Play-Offs
_______________________________________________
Career Totals Michael Vick’s teams vs Matt Ryan’s teams
_______________________________________________
7-9 Michael Vick’s team 2006 including 0-0 Play-Offs
8-8 Michael Vick’s team 2005 including 0-0 Play-Offs
12-6 Michael Vick’s team 2004 including 1-1 Play-Offs
5-11 Michael Vick’s team 2003 including 0-0 Play-Offs
10-7 Michael Vick’s team 2002 including 1-1 Play-Offs
7-9 Michael Vick’s team 2001 including 0-0 Play-Offs
83-81 Michael Vick’s teams Career includes 3-4 Play-Offs
55-26 Matt Ryan’s teams Career includes 0-3 Play-Offs
6’ 0” Michael Vick age 32 gave San Diego # 5 pick (LaDainian Tomlinson)
6’ 4” Matt Ryan age 27 took with our own # 3 overall pick
Samuel
December 17th, 2012
5:47 am
If that running game improves down the stretch, teams will know they have to stop the run. That will bold well for the Falcons in the playoffs.
okeetee
December 17th, 2012
7:35 am
“The ESPN power ranking guys couldn’t wait for the Birds to stumble so they could downgrade them. The game today is going to put them in a quandary. If the 49ers knock off the Pat’s tonight, they’ll really be in a mess!”
….well, after the Pats got slapped last night, it will be interesting! We’ve got to jump up to 1 or 2, right? We have to still be ahead of the Bronco’s who are coming on real strong, because we beat them and have a better record, right? We have to be ahead of Houston, who recently were completely dominated by the Pats! We have to be ahead of the 49ers who have way more losses than us and can’t beat the Rams home or away, right? Power rankings don’t really mean that much, but we’ve got to be in the top 3 for sure! Have to give that “Mr. Peabody” guy for ESPN, who was the only guy that said we should be ranked number 1 even after last weeks loss to the Panthers, because we still had the best record in football!
Honey boy
December 17th, 2012
7:39 am
Thomas Brown.. Thanks for staying up all nite to produce these meaningless stats…. Step away from the meth pipe….
Falcon228
December 17th, 2012
7:39 am
Again the sports pundits choose to ignore the Falcons and have fallen in love with a 49er team that defeated the Pats last night. The Niners are now the favorites to win the Super Bowl as one former QB now an ESPN “expert” announced after the game. Great. A team that was defeated and tied by the Rams is going to win the Super Bowl. Our first playoff game is in 4 weeks. Let’s go to Detroit and take care of business. Then we’ll have 3 weeks to redemption.
Honey boy
December 17th, 2012
7:42 am
Rodney Harrison… So tell us again who’s “Not afraid to play the Falcons?” They dismantled the reigning World Champions!!!! Looks good on them..
Hey Rodney…. Piss off….
Larry
December 17th, 2012
7:52 am
Thomas Brown
Have a cup of coffee and relax, my friend.
Esquire
December 17th, 2012
8:04 am
Enter your comments here
Esquire
December 17th, 2012
8:05 am
What happened to Flacco yesterday…………?
……………………..oh yeah, he lost.
Esquire
December 17th, 2012
8:06 am
I hate when that happens
PREMATURE SUBMITULATION………….!!!!
Georgia
December 17th, 2012
9:00 am
My sister thinks the Giants threw the game. Russian mafia fix was on. She thinks pro football has been fixed for generations. She claims the refs could call holding on every play, and be justified. So who’s to know? Or interference. I think they should call false start on centers who wave the football around right before the hike? Ever notice? What’s that all about? Nobody should do nothing during the hike. Just hike the Damn ball and get on with the fixed game, thankyou.
NY Giants Fan
December 17th, 2012
9:03 am
It definitely was the refs. Also, our coaches. Plus, our QB didn’t spike the ball.
Thomas Brown
December 17th, 2012
9:06 am
Michael Vick Wonderlic Score 20
A GE light bulb glows brighter!
Esquire
December 17th, 2012
9:09 am
***DOMINATE***
WE ARE THE MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS!!!!
Mike "CHOKE" Dogs To Death
December 17th, 2012
9:27 am
More Comparative Statistics:
Years Spent In Prison: Ryan 0, Vick 2
Dogs Murdered: Ryan 0, Vick countless
Venereal Diseases: Ryan probably 0, Vick at least one
Crack Pipes Smoked: Ryan probably 0, Vick probably quite a few
Airport Checkpoint Scandals: Ryan 0, Vick 2
Obscene Gestures at Own Fans: Ryan 0, Vick 1
Game Films Ignored: Ryan probably 0, Vick probably all of them
Esquire
December 17th, 2012
9:28 am
Falcons Offense
PTS 26.5 (7th ) YDS 377.4 (7th) PASS YDS 287.5 (5th) RUSH YDS 89.9 (28th)
Detroit Defense
PTS 27.1 (28th) YDS 337.5 (12th) PASS YDS 218.1 (11th) RUSH YDS 119.4 (18th)
Detroit Offense
PTS 23.6 (14th) YDS 406.5 (2nd) PASS YDS 302.1 (1st) RUSH YDS 104.4 (23rd)
Falcons Defense
PTS 18.5 (4th)YDS 354.4 (19th) PASS YDS 229.5 (17th) RUSH YDS 124.9 (24th)