Another week, another dominant defensive line Matt Ryan will have to face.
After a strong performance against the 49ers who are loaded with players who can disrupt the quarterback, Ryan and Atlanta's offensive line will need a similar effort on Sunday against the Jaguars.
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Jacksonville ranks No. 5 in the league in sacks with 43 on the year. Rookie defensive end Josh Allen leads the way with 10.
Calais Campbell, who is headed to his third-straight Pro Bowl, is right in the center of the Jags' success up front. Campbell has 6.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.
Ryan said this game will come down to Atlanta's ability to negate Jacksonville's pass rush.
"The No. 1 thing for us offensively is handling their defensive line," Ryan said. "I think they're extremely productive. They have some talented players, we've got to slow down and neutralize their pass rush and try and extend drives and wear them down a little bit. They're very good up front."
Importance of winning final home game
The Falcons have won just two games at home this season and as they play their final game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Ryan and coach Dan Quinn said they are hoping to put together a performance fans will be proud of.
"When you're not winning, it's not that exciting," Ryan said of playing in front of a lot of open sets. "We have to do our part. I've always said as players, when we get it rolling, our stadium can get going, for sure. It's been disappointing we haven't been as good as I think we're capable of being, but we're playing better right now. Hopefully we can give the folks who are there something to cheer about."
Leading game-winning drive vs. 49ers
Ryan led the Falcons to their fifth win of the season with an impressive game-winning drive to put the Falcons up 23-22 with two seconds left in the game. Ryan found Julio Jones for a five-yard touchdown score and the Falcons left California with a win over the top-seeded NFC team at the time.
"It was fun to be a part of it," Ryan said. "The biggest thing in those situations is everybody is calm and going out there and having the belief that you're going to do it and just doing your job. On the last play, it's not rocket science, you have to get in. So, we have to get all five guys who are eligible into the end zone and Julio did a great job with that."
During the 2012 season, Matt Ryan led six fourth-quarter comebacks.
The first comeback of the season for Ryan and the Falcons came against NFC South rival Carolina.
The comeback over Carolina resulted in a 30-28 win for the Falcons.
The second comeback of the season was a 24-17 win in Washington.
Ryan celebrates with Julio Jones during Atlanta's win over Washington.
Ryan leaves the field after the 24-17 win over the Redskins.
The third comeback of the season came against the Oakland Raiders.
The third comeback of the season for the Falcons and Ryan was against the Raiders.
The third comeback was a 23-20 win in the Georgia Dome over the Raiders.
The fourth comeback for Ryan and the Falcons in 2012 came against the Arizona Cardinals.
The fourth comeback in 2012 came in a 23-19 win over the Cardinals.
The fifth comeback for Ryan in 2012 came against the Tampa Bay Bucs.
The fifth and final comeback of the regular season: a 24-23 win over Tampa.
Ryan's sixth comeback of the season came in the NFC Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Seattle Seahawks.
Ryan celebrates following one of his touchdowns against the Seahawks in the NFC playoffs.
The comeback over the Seahawks resulted in a 30-28 Falcons win.
Ryan during the playoff win over the Seattle Seahawks.
