Atlanta Falcons 36, Seattle Seahawks 20
Here are the highest-graded players and most noteworthy performances from the Atlanta Falcons’ 36-20 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
Quarterback grade: Matt Ryan, 75.6
Ryan makes mockery of postseason blues
Was this Matt Ryan at his presumptive-MVP best? No. But did he resemble the player who so often struggled when playoff time rolled around? Definitely not. Ryan did what he needed to do, and was at his best exploiting the matchups his variety of weapons on offense created. There was a lack of the big-time, downfield passing that has symbolized this offense (connecting on just one of three pass attempts over 20 yards), but in a game where turnovers were likely to be key, Ryan avoided giving the Seahawks’ DBs any chance to make the big play.