QB corner: Matt Ryan on the Buccaneers

Here’s what Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan had to say about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, his team’s opponent for the season finale at 1 p.m. Sunday in Tampa:

Q: What do you expect to see from Tampa Bay’s defense?

A: I think they’re a team that gives you a lot of different looks in terms of pressures. You have to be on top of your pass protection. We would obviously love to be able to run it a little better than we did against them last time (Nov. 20), stay a little bit more balanced, keep them a little bit more off balance. (Tampa Bay defensive coordinator) Todd Bowles has been a great coordinator in (the NFL) for a long time.”

Q: Bucs coach Bruce Arians said they need to slow WR Calvin Ridley and put pressure on the quarterback. What’s the plan to counter that strategy?

A: Well, we would obviously like to not have that happen. We’re focused on protecting me and trying to get Calvin open. So, that’s why you work all week, but in terms of countering it, when Calvin gets his one-on-one matchups, we have to trust in him and other guys need to step up and make plays. I think if we can run the ball efficiently, that’s going to help us.”

Q: How can the Falcons get the run game going against Tampa Bay’s seventh-ranked run defense?

A: We have to play well up front. It’s a very tough defense to run against. They’re physical, defensive line is very physical. They’ve got two really fast and athletic linebackers, so for us it’s going to be about getting hats on hats up front and making sure that we’re getting our backs lanes and opportunities. Then, our backs have to do a great job of finishing runs, finding ways to get the dirty 2, 3, 4 extra yards at the end of runs. If they can get that going for us, which I thought we did a nice job of last week, that helps us.

Falcons’ 2021 draft position

1. Jacksonville Jaguars

2. New York Jets

3. Miami Dolphins (via Houston)

4. Falcons

5. Cincinnati Bengals

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