FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- It was the third quarter. The Atlanta Falcons held a seven-point lead against the Carolina Panthers in Week 2. The situation was second-and-goal from the Panthers' 1-yard line.
Needing just a yard to stretch the lead and create breathing space, the Falcons turned to their big bruiser: Matt Ryan.
OK, maybe the 6-foot-4-inch, 217-pound Ryan isn't going to a win street fight with a defensive lineman, but picking up 1 yard shouldn't be too much to ask, provided there's adequate blocking up front. So Ryan hurried to the line of scrimmage without a huddle, took the snap from center Alex Mack, put his head down, then drove himself into the end zone behind the backsides of Mack, right guard Brandon Fusco, and right tackle Ryan Schraeder.