SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 15: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 and wide receiver Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons talk on the sidlines during the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Julio Jones reminds us why he’s the best receiver in the NFL

Julio Jones reminds us why he’s the best receiver in the NFL by Ross Terrell

Matt Ryan continued his mastery against #1 rated pass defenses throughout his career. This time it was another game-winning drive in typical Matty Ice fashion.

Future hall of fame quarterback Matt Ryan continues his mastery and dominance against #1 rated pass defenses.

Ryan rallied the Falcons to a last-second 29-22 victory over the San Francisco 49ers when he connected with Julio Jones on a five-yard touchdown pass that barely broke the plane of the goal-line. The play was reviewed and correctly overturned.

It was his second five-yard touchdown pass to Julio Jones of the game. Matty Ice is now 5-0 when facing the top passing defense in the league. That is not a misprint. He remains undefeated.

Just another cool and very impressive stat in a 12-year prolific career. This was also his 38th game-winning drive since 2008, which is the best in the NFL during his career and eighth best all time.

In typical Ryan fashion, he was unflappable, in leading the Falcons on a game-winning 10 play, 70-yard touchdown drive. Three times he completed a pass to Julio Jones on the final drive.

Throughout the game, the Falcons continued to shoot themselves in the foot with miscues and penalties in all three phases of the game.

They continue to be one of the highest penalized teams in the league. Teams usually don’t win games when committing 11 penalties combined on offense, defense, and special teams.

A recovered onside kick (again) on the opening kickoff to begin the second half by Younghoe Koo was negated by a penalty. A fumble on a kickoff by Kenjon Barner was recovered by the 49ers on the Falcons one-yard line.

This is all a moot point thanks to the hall of fame quarterback. Although Ryan didn’t have gaudy numbers in the win, he played the way that we have been accustomed to seeing over the past 12 years.

He did almost everything you can ask for from your starting quarterback. His pocket presence was exceptional and was able to step up into the pocket and complete timely, accurate passes. His passes had zip on the ball and he did not hold on to the ball too long and take unnecessary sacks. Ryan was even able to extend some plays.

Ryan has not thrown an interception in the last two games. Overall, he has played at an elite level, for the most part, this season, as he has throughout his career. Passing for 50 thousand yards in a career does not come easily by any means.

There have been many times when Ryan has thrown for 400 meaningless yards in a loss. Against San Francisco, he threw for only 210 yards but had a far greater impact.

Many fans continue to run Matt Ryan out of town with the hopes that the Falcons draft their future quarterback in April 2020. His play this season, for the most part, reaffirms that he is an elite shoo-in Hall of Fame player.

It is time once and for all for the naysayers to come to their senses and come to terms with reality. Not many other players have accomplished or will accomplish what he has done on the field for this franchise as well as the fanbase.

Who knows when the next time will be that Ryan faces another #1 top passing defense in the league. If and when he does, you can be sure that the savvy veteran will continue to find a way to remain undefeated.