The time is now for Ryan to lead Falcons 

By Zach Klein

The last time the Falcons played in East Rutherford, Matt Ryan threw a touchdown pass on 4th down with 98 seconds to play to beat the New York Jets.

Sunday, while the stadium has a new name and the Falcons are playing the other team from New York, they will need the same heroics from Ryan to win their first playoff game since 2005.

"One of the biggest thigns I've learned at my two chances at the playoffs is to not let the outside things that come along with it affect your preparation and affect your approach to playing on Sunday," said Ryan. "I think I'm a lot more mature than I was a couple of years ago, even last year, and I think that's going to help out."

He might be more mature, but the outside noise will grow louder with every early exit from the playoffs. Ryan is 0-2 in the post season and failed to throw for more than 200-yards in either game. Of his four interceptions, two led to touchdowns and one was returned 70 the other way for a score.

While many believe Ryan needs a playoff victory to validate his elite status in the league, those in the Falcons locker room do not. "He's been doing a heck of a job," said wide receiver Roddy White. "There are a lot of guys that didn't win playoff games until the end of their career. Matt's been doing a good job just getting us there and giving us an opportunity to win. We all want to win and that's going to validate everyone in this locker room."

Still, the comparisons will come. Four of the last five Super Bowl MVP's have been quarterbacks: Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers. Eli led the Giants to a Super Bowl 42 victory in what was his third trip to the playoffs. Ryan begins his third trip Sunday against Manning and the Giants.

"I don't spend a lot of time evaluating myself versus other quarterbacks, most of my time is to prepare myself against them," said Ryan. "But with a guy like Eli, certainly those plays he makes in the post season factor into your thinking and I think he is a really good quarterback, one of the best in the league."

He's led the Falcons to the playoffs in three of his first four seasons.

Now it's time to lead them when it counts.