Matt Hasselbeck, who's 6-foot-4, 223 pounds, was drafted in the sixth round by the Green Bay Packers in 1998 (187th overall).
With Colts quarterback Andrew Luck out, Hasselbeck, who guided Seattle to Super Bowl XL, will be at the controls.
“You always respect someone who’s done as much as he’s done,” Falcons linebacker O’Brien Schofield said.
Hasselbeck has performed well in victories over Jacksonville and Houston this season. Despite his diminished arm strength, he’s still accurate underneath and has a passer rating of 95.
He has a DYAR rating – Defense-adjusted Yards Above Replacement — by Football Outsiders of 49. His rating is higher than nine starting quarterbacks, including Denver’s Peyton Manning, Baltimore’s Joe Flacco and Detroit’s Matthew Stafford.
DYAR gives the value of the quarterback’s performance compared to replacement level, adjusted for situation and opponent, and then translated into yardage.
Hasselbeck has completed 48-of-76 passes (63.2 percent) for 495 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
“It’s very comforting to know that you’ve got a guy in your building who’s won ball games for you, can operate at a high, high level,” Colts coach Chuck Pagano said. “He can run the offense. All those types of things. He obviously has a ton of experience. Guys in the locker room have great faith in Matt.”
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