The Falcoholic
Not every all-time great performance will have gaudy numbers. There are games where the overall opponent, in-game situations, and circumstances must be heavily taken into account. It’s not merely assessing the box score and determining that a performance is not good enough because only one touchdown was scored, after only one of four red zone opportunities was converted.
Strictly focusing on statistics would dismiss a memorable, courageous performance from an Atlanta all-time great. Matt Ryan couldn’t have made a better first impression in the NFL with his first completion going for a 62-yard touchdown to Michael Jenkins against the Lions.
After some early ups and downs, he earned his first notable win against the Packers in Lambeau Field. The Falcons surprised everyone by having a 3-2 record. Most analysts projected three wins at most for them in 2008.
Facing a Bears team filled with defensive star power would be the next test in his sixth career start. A Lovie Smith-coached unit with Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Charles Tillman, Tommie Harris, and Adewale Ogunleye could pose serious problems for any offense from 2005 to 2012. Combine that with the youth of the Falcons’ offense, and it made this a huge challenge for Ryan to win two consecutive games for the first time in his career.
There was one notable theme about Ryan’s first five starts. When the Falcons won, Michael Turner ran for over 100 yards. When they lost, Turner was held to under 60 rushing yards and averaged three yards per carry.
As well as the rookie quarterback played, it was a run-first offense, clearly built around smash-mouth football, led by their big free-agent signing. Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey’s philosophy was ideal for the offense at the time, as Turner was entering his prime as a force to be reckoned with.
There was going to be a game when Ryan would have to deliver when the running game wasn’t producing. Despite being persistent in trying to get Turner going, he only ran for 54 yards on 25 carries. The Falcons’ revamped offensive line couldn’t get movement against Chicago’s stout front. That consistently put Ryan in longer down and distances. He wasn’t fazed by it one bit.
Ryan completed six passes of 12 yards or more in the first quarter. That includes converting two third downs of nine yards or more. He put terrific touch on a ball downfield to Harry Douglas on 3rd and 16 for a 22-yard gain. Four plays later, he connected with Roddy White to the left for 15 yards on 3rd and 9.
He showed tremendous poise on multiple drives of ten plays or more. While both only resulted in field goals, it was hugely encouraging to see the future Offensive Rookie of the Year make sharp decisions and read coverages with conviction.
The next drive went for ten plays again, where Ryan converted another third down, finding his security blanket that season in Brian Finneran. Although the drive ended...
