Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons are coming off perhaps their biggest win of the season. In years past, they may have overlooked a team like the St. Louis Rams.
Not this season, which has been one of the more unpredictable in recent memory. And certainly not now that rookie Sam Bradford has St. Louis headed in the right direction.
Ryan and the NFC South-leading Falcons will need to be on top of their game Sunday as they try to win a fourth straight and put an end to the Rams’ four-game home winning streak.
Ryan’s rapid maturation has the Falcons in the driver’s seat in the race for home-field advantage in the NFC.
The third-year starter, who has been extremely effective running the no-huddle offense, calmly directed Atlanta down the field in 65 seconds and hit Roddy White for a game-winning 33-yard touchdown against Baltimore last Thursday.
Ryan finished 32 of 50 for a career-high 316 yards and three touchdowns in the 26-21 victory.
Atlanta (7-2) has predominantly been a running team, leaning heavily on Michael Turner the past two seasons. But when Turner was held to a season-low 39 yards against Baltimore, Ryan and White saved the day.
White, who caught 12 passes for 138 yards and a pair of scores, continues to be the key to the Falcons’ passing game. He leads the league with 70 receptions and is second with 934 yards.
While the Falcons’ win over the Ravens was impressive, it’s hardly enough to proclaim them the best team in the NFL.
The New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots, among others, have all looked like the cream of the crop at times. Other times, all three have fallen flat on their faces.
The Falcons hope to avoid becoming the latest top-tier team to be upset.
One season after finishing 2-14, the vastly improved Rams (4-5) are just one game back of the NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks. The Rams are still learning how to win close games, however, as evidenced by their 1-4 mark in games decided by four points or fewer this season.
Exhibit A was last week's 23-20 overtime loss to San Francisco. Bradford threw for 251 yards and helped set up Josh Brown's game-tying, 33-yard field goal in regulation. But the Rams failed to pick up a first down in overtime.
St. Louis, which is winless in four road games, is glad to return to the Edward Jones Dome.
The Rams are on the verge of their first five-game home winning streak since 2003.
Atlanta won the last meeting 31-27 in December 2008, but has lost five straight in St. Louis.