FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Before he completed his first career pass against the Buccaneers Matt Ryan threw a pair of interceptions that led to 10 opponent points. It was the roughest start of his young NFL career.
But before the dust settled on the Falcons defeat Ryan rallied his team to within eight points. He was sacked a season-high four times in the game but each time he went back in the huddle and set to work putting the Falcons back in the game for the fourth quarter. Sunday Ryan leads the league's fifth-best offense into a rematch with the Buccaneers at the Georgia Dome.
The Falcons (8-5) look to keep playoff hopes alive against Tampa Bay (9-3). Both are coming off division losses.
"The biggest thing I think about when I think about (the first game) is the improvement we've made since that game has been unbelievable," starting center Todd McClure said. "We learned a lot from that game and we see the strides we've made since then. We probably weren't as physical in that game as we needed to be and that's one thing we're going to try to do this week -- go out there and play physical."
Ryan didn't speak much of his previous game against the Bucs while preparing for Sunday's game. But, in many ways, the rookie has a chance to exercise demons from that performance. Since Week 2 Ryan has thrown for more than 200 yards eight games. His quarterback rating at Tampa (29.6) is a distant memory and he hasn't slipped below 60.8 (he's had five games over 100).
“Not only has Matt grown, but our entire football team has grown," Head Coach Mike Smith said. "That was his first game on the road in an away stadium having to face those elements. In the second half, after a tough start in the first half, he was able to come out and complete seven of nine passes and complete a scoring drive. We were within a touchdown and a two-point conversion of tying the game in the fourth quarter. They totally dominated the game in the first half on both sides of the ball. I think that game was important not only for Matt, but for our entire football team because we came back in the second half from a 17-3 deficit.”
Of course, the Bucs have evolved since Week 2 as well and are coming off a hard defeat at Carolina on "Monday Night Football."
The Bucs ninth-ranked defense allowed 464 yards to the Panthers (299 rushing yards). But Ryan and the Falcons aren't banking on an easy day on the ground or through the air at the Dome. Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin is regarded as one of the best in NFL history.
"I'm sure Tampa's going to make adjustments," Ryan said."You try to take a couple things here and there in terms of their run schemes and their protections but we've got to do what we do at this point. We've kind of come into our own as an offense and we're comfortable with the things we do. We've got to format that to be good against their defense and that's what we're working on right now."
MORE STORY LINES: Quarterback Jeff Garcia and wide receiver Antonio Bryant paced the Buccaneers offense at Carolina, connecting nine times for 200 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Bryant leads the Bucs with 66 catches for 936 yards and five touchdowns. Garcia has been remarkably efficient, throwing for 10 touchdowns and three interceptions on a 94.4 passer rating.
"He's a doing a great job for them," safety Erik Coleman said of Bryant. "He made some spectacular catches (Monday night). He's a great player and it's going to be a challenge to slow him down."
But that's just one of the various story lines for this week's game:
- NOTEBOOK: Defense preparing for mobile quarterback in Garcia
- BLOG: Brooking Confident Defense Can Improve
- BIRDSEED: Get a gauge on what the media is saying about this game
SHUFFLING THE CARDS: The Falcons issued a lengthy injury report again this week but only three players missed large amounts of practice time: defensive end John Abraham, tackle Todd Weiner and wide receiver Laurent Robinson. Other Falcons players were limited in practice.
Smith said the team must make multiple adjustments to fill the special teams spot of Antoine Harris, who was placed on injured reserve earlier in the week.
"We're going to have to make some adjustments in a number of areas," Smith said. "I don't think there will be any one person that will be able to replace what he does so we'll have to adjust... We'll have a number of guys who will have to even maybe change some positions to make it work and accommodate what we have to get done."
Tackle Sam Baker, who hasn't played since Week 6, could also return to the starting lineup this week. But the team never set a specific timeline on his return from back surgery.
"We've been working Sam back in," Smith said. "Sam practiced again (Wednesday) so we're just going to see what kind of residual effects he has and as the week progresses we'll be able to make that determination. It was very good to have Sam out practicing last week and practicing again today."
THE SKINNY: There's no hiding the importance of this NFC South duel. Of course, with home teams in the division posting a 24-2 record there has been no shortage of highlight matchups this season. This game holds special importance for the Falcons, however, considering the turmoil that rocked Flowery Branch a year ago this week with the resignation of former head coach Bobby Petrino.
"When you're in December and you're still in the hunt, that's what you play this game for... We're right here and it's just out there for us to go get," McClure said. "Now we just have to make it happen."
The team expects fans to help this weekend inside the Georgia Dome.
"It's fun and exciting," wide receiver Brian Finneran said. "Hopefully it's the same way for the city. Hopefully they realize how important this game is because we do here in this building. We're emphasizing it, coaches are emphasizing it. We control our own destiny right now. We have to win football games to give ourselves a chance to go to the playoffs."
NUMBERS, NOTES AND COLORS: Some digits, info and hues to get you ready for Sunday's game against the Bucs...
- The Falcons will wear black jerseys and black pants against the Bucs..
- Since posting a career-low QB rating at Tampa (29.6) in Week 2 Ryan hasn't slipped below 60.8 (he's had five games over 100).
- Atlanta's defense has recorded at least one sack in six home games this season.
- Teams have swept this series the last three years, but a Falcons win will snap a three-game Bucs winning streak.
- Both teams rank in the top-10 in time of possession, holding the ball for more than 31 minutes a game.
MORE ON THE FALCONS-BUCS GAME:
- SCOUTING REPORT: Falcons hope to copy Panthers success against Bucs
- FALCONCAST: J. Mike and Matt preview Sunday's game | Fantasy Football
- NFL FILMS: Preview the game with this piece from the NFL
- ASK THE COACH: Grady Jackson and John Abraham talk with Joe Danna
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: Ryan among rookie leaders in Pro Bowl fan votes
- NOTEBOOK: Defense preparing for mobile quarterback in Garcia
- PREVIEW PACK: More on the Falcons and Buccaneers
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Clabo | McClure | Finneran | Coleman | Ryan
- AUDIO: Linebacker Keith Brooking
- FOE AUDIO: Bucs Coach Jon Gruden | Running Back Warrick Dunn
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: Brooking Confident Defense Can Improve | Birdseed
- INJURY REPORT: More on Falcons and Bucs injury from Saint Joseph's Hospital
- COMMUNITY: Falcons help youth with holiday shopping
- RELEASE: Team places Harris on injured reserve
- ENTERTAINMENT: Game entertainment info for Falcons-Bucs
- RELEASE: Humphrey, Kenn to be inducted into Ring of Honor
- RELEASE: Falcons-Vikings game moved to 4:15
- TRANSCRIPT: Head Coach Mike Smith (Monday)
- RELEASE: Falcons, Dome to recognize high school football
