A splendid performance against a bitter division rival has earned Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan one of the NFL’s weekly awards.
Ryan has been named NFC Offensive Player of the Week, the NFL announced Wednesday. It’s the fifth time Ryan has earned the honor.
Ryan completed 31-of-43 passes for a team-record 448 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in Atlanta’s 37-34 overtime win vs. New Orleans on Sunday. In victory, the Falcons overcame two 13-point deficits, and Ryan’s play was instrumental in Atlanta’s stirring comeback. To force overtime, Ryan led an eight-play, 47-yard drive in the final 1:20 of regulation, with a 21-yard strike to Devin Hester putting Atlanta in range for Matt Bryant to tie the game with a field goal.
Ryan has engineered 24 game-winning drives in his career, per NFL records.
The Falcons face the Bengals in Cincinnati on Sunday.
