by Ray GlierFiled under: Atlanta Falcons, NFC South, NFL Playoffs
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The last time Matt Ryan was in a significant game was back on Dec. 26, Monday night, at home, against the Saints. The Falcons offense did not function very well in a 17-14 loss on national television.In the meantime, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been blazing a path for his reputation as the next great quarterback of the NFL. He carved up the Eagles in a first-round playoff win. There were hosannas all around
Ryan and Rodgers, who will be the focal points for their teams Saturday night in Georgia Dome, are both third-year starters, but there is a notion Rodgers has moved past Ryan and is the quarterback to trust Saturday.
We'll see about that.
Ryan was on a diet of pressure all season. In Pittsburgh and in New Orleans, and at home against San Francisco, Baltimore, Green Bay, and in Tampa against the Bucs. He didn't excel late in just two games: on the road at Pittsburgh, at home that Monday night against the Saints.
Just look at the list of late wins by the Falcons. Ryan completed passes, sometimes with no time to spare, and guided his team to winning field goals or touchdowns.
Since 2008, he has led 13 game-winning drives in the fourth quarter. This season, the Falcons have won six games in the fourth quarter or overtime.
Ryan never adds to the pressure put on him by another team. He says simply, "You don't want to be out there playing too fast. Sometimes as a quarterback that can hurt you."
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Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/14/matt-ryan-unlikely-to-be-unnerved-in-biggest-game-of-his-falcons/
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