Matt Ryan Wanted No Part Of Making This Block

Here are two facts. The first is that the Falcons are rounding into form as an offensive juggernaut, their 45-32 shootout win over the Saints an almost ideal display of firepower that saw them score touchdowns on five consecutive drives. This was a balanced attack, with big nights from Devonte Freeman and Tevin Coleman taking a lot of the pressure off of Matt Ryan, but it remains Ryan that makes this offense go. Ryan was an efficient 20-for-30 for 240 yards, two scores, and no turnovers, and the Falcons are only going to go as far as Ryan takes them.

The second fact is that Saints DT Nick Fairley is 6-foot-4 and 308 pounds.

Let’s see that from another angle:

Yeah, Matt Ryan got out of Fairley’s way so hard, he tripped himself up. That’s a sound ordering of priorities.

The Falcons are atop the NFC South, but they now face Carolina, Denver, and Seattle, three of the league’s best defenses, in quick succession. They’ll need their quarterback for that.