Ryan looking like an MVP as Falcons roll over Seahawks
ATLANTA — Matt Ryan hardly resembled a quarterback who can’t win the big games. No, this looked more like an MVP. Returning to the post-season for the first time in four years, Ryan threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Atlanta Falcons past the Seattle Seahawks 36-20 in the divisional round Saturday.
The Falcons are headed to the NFC championship game for only the fourth time in their 51-year history, and they’re on quite a roll with Matty Ice at the helm.
He finished up to chants of “MVP! MVP! MVP” from a raucous Georgia Dome crowd that gave the Seahawks a dose of what it’s like for opposing teams at CenturyLink Field.
“It was pretty cool considering the circumstances, too, with the game in hand,” Ryan said. “That’s got to be as loud as it’s ever been in here.”
Ryan turned in another dynamic performance in the best season of his career, shaking off a 1-4 record in his previous playoff appearances.
In an interesting twist, his lone post-season victory before Saturday was a 30-28 thriller over the Seahawks in the divisional round of the 2012 season. Make it 2-0 over Seattle. Eight players caught passes from Ryan, including running back Devonta Freeman on a 53-yard play that included a dazzling fake on replacement free safety Steven Terrell right in the middle of the field.
Hester’s return
Signed by the Seahawks just before the playoffs, return specialist Devin Hester predicted this was his last game. If so, the 34-year-old went out in style. He returned five kickoffs for 194 yards, including a 78-yarder. His most dynamic play was an 80-yard punt return, but it was called back by a holding penalty.
“We were prepared for it, and he still made some terrific plays,” Quinn said. Now, retirement looms. “I told my wife that this is pretty much my last year,” Hester said.