Matt Ryan unfazed by recent struggles

Tempe, Ariz. — Matt Ryan hears the whispers.

With the Falcons about to play their first playoff game in four seasons, the rookie quarterback’s play has dipped coming down the stretch.

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AP

Matt Ryan struggled down the stretch. Will the Falcons’ rookie quarterback be able pick up his play in the playoffs?

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The Falcons (11-5) are favored to beat the Arizona Cardinals (9-7) in the NFC wild card playoffs at 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the University of Phoenix Stadium.

However, Ryan has thrown five interceptions in the last four games. He threw just six in his first 12 games. He hasn’t passed for more than 200 yards in the last two games after a streak of nine straight games of at least 207 yards.

Still, the Falcons won four of the last five games to finish second in the NFC South and earn the No. 5 playoff seed.

Reason for concern?

“I don’t really think about it that much,” Ryan said. “For me, I’ve just been trying to go out and play the best I can every week. We’ve played some good teams the last couple of weeks and ultimately we’ve done enough to win. At this point, that’s what really matters.”

There is a concern that Ryan, who’s never had to play 20 games — four preseason and 16 regular-season games — might be hitting the rookie wall.

“I feel fine, physically,” Ryan said.

Falcons coach Mike Smith hasn’t seen a dip in Ryan’s play.

“Each game has a different dynamic in terms of production,” Smith said. “In terms of what the game plan is, what your thoughts are as far as running the football and throwing the football.

“I don’t think there’s been any thing. … Matt has been very efficient all throughout the season. We are anticipating his A-game.”

Smith believes that Ryan is fine physically.

“It’s a long season for everybody, but I see no evidence whatsoever,” Smith said. “He threw the big long ball to Michael Jenkins (last week). I don’t see anything different than what I saw from the first day that he walked on in terms of arm strength.”

The recently minted Offensive Rookie of the Year will take the stage in his first playoff game opposite Arizona quarterback Kurt Warner, a Super Bowl winner and two-time NFL Most Valuable Player.

“I don’t think you can worry about it too much,” Ryan said. “We’ve got some guys who’ve won some Super Bowls as well. They know what it takes to get it done.”

Smith, a seasoned playoff veteran from his assistant coaching days in Baltimore and Jacksonville, doesn’t believe the stage will be too big for Ryan.

“When you get into the postseason, it’s a whole different mentality,” Smith said. “I know that Matt is going to prepare just like he prepared for the regular season. We anticipate that we’ll all have our jitters, but they’ll go away.”

The Falcons, like they have all season, will lean heavily on running back Michael Turner and the offensive line to churn out first downs.

“It’s going to be important for us to run the ball,” Ryan said. “I think that’s the case every week. Other than that, we just need to go out there and score.”

There should be some opportunities for Ryan to be effective passing the football — especially inside the Cardinals’ 20-yard line.

The Cardinals have allowed 35 touchdowns on 55 trips inside their 20-yard line, including 23 vis the pass.

“Sometimes statistics can be misleading,” Ryan said. “For us it’s going to be important that we execute down there in the red zone.”