After the Atlanta Falcons defeated the Miami Dolphins 30-28 in Week 7, head coach Arthur Smith said that veteran quarterback Matt Ryan was underrated — actually much worse than underrated.
“He’s a special player,” Smith said in the post-game press conference on October 24. “I personally think he’s criminally underrated if you look at his career here in the National Football League.”
Flash forward to Week 9 and the Falcons defeated the New Orleans Saints 27-25 at Caesar’s Superdome. Ryan completed 23 of 30 passes for 343 yards and two touchdowns, which marked his 73rd career game with 300 or more passing yards. He’s now tied with Phillip Rivers (73 games) for the fourth-most in NFL history behind only Drew Brees (123), Tom Brady (103) and Peyton Manning (93).
His season-best performance so far, plus a win over Atlanta’s biggest rival, may or may not have finally earned him the respect he deserves — for at least this season.
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NFL Twitter Reacts to Ryan’s Outstanding Performance
When ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes notices you, you’re doing something right. “Matt Ryan is balling yet again,” she wrote on Twitter.
*whispers* Matt Ryan is balling yet again
And the guys from the UK are extremely satisfied:
HAVE MY FUCKING BABIES PATTERSON AND MATT RYAN
If only fans could consistently be Matt Ryan fans:
Matt Ryan Appreciation Post #Dirtybirds
Yes, he’s still got it, with at least one fan blaming the coaches for any lapses in performance. “Today is a prime example of him balling out and his coaching letting him down,” one fan tweeted.
I don’t want to hear any more Matt Ryan slander. Today is a prime example of him balling out and his coaching letting him down. Game on the line and he uncorked a fuckin 60 yard strike down the sideline. Yall said his arm was toast! Nope! I’m not hearing no more!
That is our mobile QB for you — “absurd”:
having a 15 play, 92 yard drive over 5 1/2 minutes while also having 32 total rushing yards for the game is just absurd. Matt Ryan has been fantastic again
So you’re saying it was never Ryan’s fault:
Matt Ryan already looks good in the 1st year of this offense. Just imagine once we get more weapons on offense.
Say it louder for the people in the back:
Put some respect on CP and Matt Ryan
Fans were impressed that he had zero interceptions:
Matt Ryan today
C/Att 23/30
Yards 343
TDs 2
Ints ZERO!
bUt MaTt RyAn Is WaShEd! Shut yo ass up
Ryan deserves a dozen roses and more:
Don’t wanna hear anything bout Matt Ryan at all lol give that mam his flowers!!
Sometimes simplicity is all you need for a compliment:
Matt Ryan is nice
Times 1,000:
Matt Ryan is the most underrated QB in the league
Ryan Credits Teammates for Comeback Win
When the Falcons win, they never make it easy — especially this time.
Atlanta was ahead by 18 before allowing the Saints to score three back-to-back touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
But thanks to some important stops by the Falcons’ defense and Younghoe Koo‘s 29-yard field goal as time expired, the Falcons pulled it off.
“We just like to give our fans a heart attack. … Gotta keep them on their toes. Make sure they’re paying attention,” Falcons running back/wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson joked after the game, according to Falcons insider Tori McElhaney. He also noted that the Falcons had to “stop” doing that.
This nail-biting victory marked Ryan’s 41st fourth-quarter comeback win, and he credited his teammates for pushing through to the final whistle.
“I’ve been lucky to play with great players. That part has really helped,” Ryan said after the game.
#Falcons QB Matt Ryan on his 41st comeback win: “I’ve been lucky to play with great players. That part has really helped.”
He added, “I was excited. We needed to make a play. We needed to win that game. I’m proud of the guys for getting the job done.”
The win put the Falcons at 4-4 on the season and was a very important victory for a young team with a new head coach and no Calvin Ridley.
Next up for the Atlanta in Week 10 is another road game, this time against the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas’ Week 9 story didn’t end happily ever after like the Falcons’, as they were blown out by the Denver Broncos, 30-16.
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NFL Twitter Shows Matt Ryan Respect After Falcons Defeat Saints