Matt Ryan is too polished to use things like revenge or fighting disrespect as motivators.
Instead, the Falcons’ quarterback looks at Sunday’s matchup against the Giants at the Georgia Dome as an opportunity to be tested against one of the best defenses in the league.
“I think the Giants’ [pass rush] is probably one of the best in the league,” Ryan said yesterday during a conference call. “I think they’ve got probably three top-tier pass rushers that are as good as anybody. We know that from having played against them last year.”
Last year was the wild-card playoff game at MetLife Stadium when the Giants stomped the Falcons, 24-2, holding Ryan to 182 yards passing and no touchdowns. But he has moved on from that loss, looking forward without harboring on the reputation as a playoff disappointment that has followed him since taking over as the franchise quarterback in 2008.
“I think we’re a more mature football team than we were last year,” Ryan said, “and a more experienced football team.”
That has gotten Ryan and his teammates to an NFC South crown, and an 11-2 record that has them atop the conference. Although they are coming off a disappointing 30-20 loss at Carolina, they have won 10 straight games on the turf in Atlanta.
“Obviously, to have a record like that you have to have great quarterback play,” defensive end Justin Tuck said, “and he’s doing that.”
Yet, outside of opponents, the respect seems to come in drips rather than a flow.
“I really don’t worry about how we’re perceived or the media’s perception of us,” Ryan said. “Anyone can have their opinion of us. We have our own and we’re confident in ourselves. We play that way, we play with a lot of confidence, and that’s what important to focus on.”
The Giants, at 8-5, are in a more tenuous situation than the Falcons, barely hanging on to their one-game lead in the NFC East over the Cowboys and Redskins. So it is only natural that they have not bought into any hype claiming the Falcons as overrated, despite the fact Atlanta is averaging just 86.9 rushing yards per game, ranking 28th in the league.
“They’re kind of a check-read offense, where they feel confident in Ryan getting them in the right play depending on our scheme or what he sees from us,” Tuck said.
Tuck is also aware of Ryan’s two deep threats, wide receivers Roddy White and Julio Jones, big targets who get down the field fast. It will be on Tuck and his teammates up front to do the job.
“Our focus is to making sure he doesn’t get comfortable in the pocket and hoping that we can rattle him a little bit that way,” Tuck said. “If not, it’s going to be a long day for us.”