World News – United States – Falcons’ Ryan: Win Could Be ‘Start Of Something’

It’s been a disappointing and at times embarrassing season so far for the Atlanta Falcons, but quarterback Matt Ryan wants to think Thursday’s win in Carolina could be the cause of a new push in the second period

The Falcons maintained a fourth-quarter lead for the second time in five games in 2020 thanks to a touchdown from Todd Gurley and an interception from Blidi Wreh-Wilson and beat the Panthers 25-17 at Bank of America Stadium

“Hope this is the start of something,” said Ryan “I really feel like even though we’re 2-6, I feel like we’ve been in tight times We played some great football I think we can play some really tough football here in the second half of the season « 

The Falcons did it in 2019, after a 1-7 start with a 6-1 finish that included wins in the last four games Can they repeat that in the next two months?

It won’t be easy They have a winnable game against Denver next week, but after their leave they face New Orleans twice in three weeks Then there are two games against Tampa Bay and one against Kansas City, in addition to games against the Las Vegas Raiders and the Los Angeles Chargers. The Broncos and Chargers are the only remaining opponents with losing records

“We’ve been in every game we’ve played this year,” said Ryan “We’ve had some crazy losses, to be frank, and I really believe we have the caliber of the team to be in. the matches we will play the rest of the season

The way the Falcons beat the Panthers gives Ryan hope They overcame a 2-on-6 performance in the red zone and the loss of wide receiver Calvin Ridley to an injury to the ankle The Falcons held a 13-minute possession advantage, totaled 401 yards, held the Panthers 2 of 10 on the third down and sacked quarterback Teddy Bridgewater three times.

Ryan also competed with a career-longest 13-yard touchdown to become the third quarterback in franchise history to have double-digit rushing touchdowns. He only trails Michael Vick (21) and Steve Bartkowski (11)

Thursday was only the second time this season the Falcons have won a game in which they started the fourth quarter with a lead They had been 1-3 in this situation, including last week’s loss to Detroit in of the last match of the match The Falcons led the Lions 14-13 in the fourth quarter, but Todd Gurley’s touchdown left the Lions with too much time and Matthew Stafford’s TD passes to TJ Hockenson gave the Lions a 23-22 victory

It was just the last – and most painful – flop of the fourth quarter The Falcons lost a five-point lead in Week 2 in a 40-39 loss to Dallas and a 16-point lead in of the third week against Chicago

Until victory over Panthers, Falcons only had a fourth quarter lead two weeks ago against Minnesota

“I just felt like it was going to be a different night,” Ryan said “Our defense stepped up and did a great job making plays I’m happy for them To survive in this guy situation, it is a factor of confidence for us to move forward « 

Atlanta Falcons, NFL, Detroit Lions, Todd Gurley, Carolina Panthers, Matt Ryan, American Football