What Matt Ryan had to say about the Rams

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan on making his sixth trip to the playoffs. Video by D. Orlando Ledbetter

Here’s what Matt Ryan had to say about the Rams’ key defenders:

On linebackers Alec Ogletree and Mark Barron. "They are doing really well. Both of those guys are athletic. They can run, and Barron, being a former safety, his athleticism shows up at the linebacker position. They both are very physical. You see that they are in the scheme that they ask their guys to fit the run, and they do a good job of getting downhill and making some plays. They also do a good job in coverage. Their linebackers mix in well with the scheme that (defensive coordinator) Wade Phillips has for them."

On cornerback Trumaine Johnson. "Big player, physical. Very good at getting his hands on people. Again, talented. He fits well with how their scheme operates. They are different from what we saw last year. I think they fit well with the players that they have there."

On defensive tackle Aaron Donald. "You have to account for where he's at. I think that's what the practice week is for. Identifying what plays we need to account for where he's at. If we need to do it in pass protection or in certain personnel groupings or certain fronts that they are in. That's what we work on all week, so by the time we get to Saturday night, it's about doing what we do. We go out there cut it loose and just play."