With the footballs squirting all over the rain-soak MetLife field, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan remained relatively calm.
However, when the communication technology got too wet and went out, Ryan was understandably irate.
But instead of getting unduly flustered in either situation, Ryan worked toward solutions in order to help prevent the Falcons from suffering what would have been their fourth-straight defeat.
He’ll certainly have the same composure when the Falcons (4-3) face the Carolina Panthers (5-3, 1-1) in their NFC South opener at 1 p.m. Sunday at Bank of America Stadium.
To fix the fumbling issue, the Falcons went to the pistol and the shot gun formations after four fumbles and two that were lost.
To fix the headset issues, the Falcons started flashing hand signals.
“What I really respect about him is his resiliency,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “That didn’t work so what’s going to be the alternate play, ‘OK, let’s do it. Let’s go put that part in action.’ The highest level of competitor comes out, but he’s also, how are we going to fix the issue.”
Out of the pistol and shot gun, the run game was somewhat predictable, but that didn’t stop Tevin Coleman for breaking loose for a key 52-yard game to set up the go-ahead touchdown.
“On that day, it was a wet day, (someone said) let’s go with shot gun,” Quinn said. “That was crazy, but that’s what was required that day.”
Everyone was ticked when the speakers went out. Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian could get his calls down.
“That’s sort of the level of frustration that we go through,” Quinn said. “When you add all of those to, that’s why I respect him so much. When the adversity is there, he answers the challenge. Ok, here’s the adversity, let’s go deal with it.”
Ryan believes solving problems and being the fixer is part of his job description.
“There are going to be times in games where you make big plays and there will be times where you make some mistakes,” Ryan said. “Part of being a leader is to keep instilling confidence in the people around you. We’re going to out there and make plays as a unit and that’s what I’ve always tried to do.”
With the much-needed 25-20 victory over the Jets, Ryan completed his 26th career fourth-quarter comeback (including postseason), while going 18 of29 for 254 yards and two touchdowns and he finished with an incredible 113.3 passer rating in those conditions.
It was also Ryan’s 76th career multi-touchdown game, his 62nd straight game with at least 200 passing yards (NFL record), and the 25th straight game with a passing touchdown.
Also, Ryan tossed a 53-yard pass to Julio Jones in the rain. The two big-plays jumpstarted the water-challenged offense.
He’s hoping that can hit on some big plays against Carolina’s stout defense, which is ranked second in the league in yards allowed (264) and in sacks (27).
“For sure, there will be opportunities like there will be in every game,” Ryan said. “You’re going to have a couple of opportunities throughout the game. When they present themselves, you’ve got to be opportunistic.”
The Falcons had not been connected on their deep passes. Before playing the Jets they were 4 of 21 on passes traveling 20 yards or more.
“You’ve got to hit them and that will be the case against Carolina as well,” Ryan said. “If we do and when we do get our chances, you’ve got to make plays.”
Wide receiver Julio Jones had a 300-yard game against the Panthers last season.
“Nothing that Julio does ceases to amaze me,” Ryan said. “He’s unbelievable. He’s so talented. When you see him day to day, the production on Sunday doesn’t surprise you at all.”
Ryan’s expecting a battle from the Panthers, who held four teams without an offensive touchdown this season.
“Throughout my career, these have always been tough ones,” Ryan said. “Carolina has been a good organization for the 10 years that I’ve been in the league. Early on, it was a different team with John Fox as the coach. They were tough and consistent. Really, they’ve taken on that same mindset with Ron (Rivera) and his coaching staff. They are tough. They play hard week-in and week-out and they are very disciplined in what they do.”
