What Matt Ryan had to say about the playoffs

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan discusses the team’s playoff chances and how difficult it’s been to reach the 9-5 record. Video by D. Orlando Ledbetter

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan doesn’t plan to “scoreboard watch” and he’s counting on fans to have a few extra “beverages” before the 4:25 p.m. start on Sunday.

Ryan knows the Falcons (9-6) need a victory over the Panthers (11-4) to advance to the NFC playoffs for the sixth time over his 10 year career. He doesn’t what to rely on Arizona beating Seattle to advance.

Here’s what Ryan had to say to the media on Wednesday:

On being in the playoff hunt. 

“We’ve put ourselves into a position where we have an opportunity to play our way in. At the beginning of the year, that what you always want is to be in the mix. We are excited about that. You know, it doesn’t matter. We have to win one game. We’ve got to worry about the opponent that we are going against and have the best week of preparation that we can. Not trying to do anything out of the ordinary. Just do what we do, the best that we can do it. That’s usually the best recipe for success.”

On the sputtering offense and getting everyone’s best shot this season. 

“I think, we’ve certainly played some good football teams this year, throughout the year. We’ve had a lot of games against playoff teams. I think that’s made us tougher. We certainly haven’t played our best at all times. But at certain times we have. I think it comes down to us going out there and making plays. We are not worried too much about us happened before up until this point, but this week, there is a real emphasis and focus on relaxing, going out there and when we get our chances, making the plays that we are capable of making.”

On looking back at last game against the Panthers.

“We had some chances the last time that we played them up there, but that’s the way it’s always going to be in these division games. They are going to be tight and it comes down to a handful of plays throughout the game and who’s going to make them. We just have to have the focus out here at practice like we did today of executing at a high clip. Making sure that we are top of all of the details that we’ve got to be on top of. Then just settling in and playing the way that we are capable of.”

On the watching film thinking that play should have worked. (Offense misfiring theme)

“There’s been a little bit of that. I think there is a little bit of that all the time. You’ve never perfect when you go through a game. But there certainly have been some opportunities throughout the season that we haven’t connected on and some there have been some where we have or something has gotten us off schedule whether if it is a penalty or whatever it may be, a turnover, etcetera. We’ve had some things that have set us back. All of that, doesn’t mean much this week. It means we are in this position that we’re in, we believe and we know that we’re capable of playing our best football. Now, we just have to go out and do it.”

On the shaky short yardage offense. 

“It takes all 11 guys in those short yardage opportunities, whether if it be third-and-1 or a fourth-and-1 situation, or whether if it’s a goal line situation. All 11 guys have to be on the same page doing their job. That’s what we have got to focus on. Each guy making sure that they are taking care of their assignment. That usually is the recipe for success. When we’ve done it well, that’s what we are doing. When we haven’t, we’ve been off in one of those spots. We’ll be really detailed about that in practice this week and hopefully be very good at that on Sunday.”

On the Panthers front seven. "Very good front seven. The have a deep rotation on the defensive line. They have a lot of guys who can make plays. Their linebackers are really good. All three of them do a great job both in the run game and the pass game. They are very athletic."

On the secondary. "Their secondary to me, the corners or more mature. There are guys (who) are coming into their own as younger players. I think they've done a nice job. Then they've got some physical safeties who do a nice job within their scheme."

On getting back Thomas Davis. "Obviously, when he's out, he's a great player, so when he's out some of the things they like to do with him are a little bit different. At this time of the year we have plenty of tape of what they do with him in and with him out. He'll be there and we'll be ready for him on Sunday."

On Coach Quinn keeping the message fresh for the team.

“He’s unbelievable with his messaging. He’s very current. He’s not afraid to use other sports analogies. Other sports analogies to keep in mind what’s important for our organization and our team this week. He’s remarkable when it comes to keeping the messaging fresh, unique and certainly pertinent to the situation and the week that we’re in. He’s special when it comes to that.”

On this week’s message.

“It’s just about competition. He showed something on Willis Reed this morning from the (New York) Knicks. From back in the 70s. Showed him playing through a torn quad at the time. But it’s not necessarily about playing through a torn quad, but the competitiveness. How one guy can have an impact on a team. What commitment to an organization looks like. That was the first time that I had ever really scene that. I didn’t know that story and I’m one of the oldest guys in our building. I’m sure the other guys had no idea, too. But he does stuff like that (which) keeps the messaging fresh. It was cool to see.”

On the playoff situation, back against the wall. 

“This is what it’s like in the playoffs. Basically for us, the playoffs have started. You win and you continue to play. It’s fun to be a part of that as competitors. That’s where you want to be at the end of the year, you want to be in these type of situations. A lot of hard work has gone into getting us into this position. Now, it’s about relaxing, having fun and being detailed with our work.”

On making the playoffs with a loss and Seahawks loss. 

“We know the situation, but we are not relying on anybody else. It’s about us taking care of our business. Focusing and trying to get the job done and doing every thing that we can during the course of the week to insure that.”

On how much scoreboard watching will be going on.

“For me, none. I don’t do a lot of that anyhow during the year. This week, I’ve got my hands full with what they do on defense to be checking out anything else. For me, I’ll be locked in, trying to find a way to win this game.”

On the later 4:25 p.m. kickoff, is there a difference in the crowd.

“Sometimes, you have a chance to have a few more beverages before the 4:25 kick. They’ll be ready to go. Our fans will be great. Mercedes-Benz Stadium, I’m sure will have an awesome atmosphere on Sunday. We’re looking forward to it. But anytime, anywhere, it doesn’t matter to us, we’ll go play.”