This has been the ‘Year of Matt Ryan’

Matt Ryan is in his ninth year since the Falcons drafted him with their top pick in 2008.

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: ccompton@ajc.com

Matt Ryan is in his ninth year since the Falcons drafted him with their top pick in 2008.

The Atlanta Falcons will face the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game at 3:05 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

Before then many things will be said about Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his greatness, especially in the playoffs.

But this has been Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan's year. A comeback year.

In 2015, he threw for 16 interceptions and had 12 fumbles.

In a sideline conversation with then-new offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan in September 2015, he told Shanahan, "I can't wait until I know the offense inside and out, though, bro ... because we are going to kill people with it." (See video below)

Killed it has.

In year two, Ryan posted career highs in yards (4,944), completion percentage (69.9), QB rating (117.1) and touchdowns (38). And those turnovers? Just 7 interceptions.

Ryan has been talked about as an MVP front-runner.

See what his he and his teammates think of his year ... and how they’ll prepare for this playoff run: