On the hot seat: Quarterback Matt Ryan
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is 43-19 during the regular season, but is 0-2 in the playoffs.
He will be on the hot seat against the New York Giants to lead the Falcons to a playoff breakthrough.
Even owner Arthur Blank has said that quarterbacks are defined by their play in the fourth quarter and the postseason.
Ryan said he doesn’t feel any additional pressure.
“Not that much,” Ryan said. “I think the past doesn’t really make a difference. We had opportunities; we didn’t take advantage of those.
“What matters is we put ourselves in this position again and we have an opportunity to move forward. So, I don’t worry about it too much. I kind of just focus on trying to prepare.”
Last season against Green Bay, Ryan completed 20 of 29 for 186 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions and had a passer rating of 69. He was sacked three times. The longest pass play went for 22 yards.
Against Arizona after the 2008 regular season,
Ryan completed 26 of 40 passes for 199 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions and had a passer rating of 72.8. He was sacked three times. The longest pass play went for 28 yards.
About the Author
Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.
