Matt Ryan, Falcons describe their pivotal 99-yard TD drive
The situation: Trailing Atlanta 12-10 with 3:41 remaining in the first half, the Seahawks pin the Falcons at their own 1-yard line on a 60-yard punt by Jon Ryan. The Falcons have the momentum after benefiting from a Seattle holding penalty that negates a 79-yard punt return by Devin Hester and leads to a safety and a field goal to give Atlanta the lead.
“Get you some breathing room, that's your first job as an offense in a backed-up situation.” -- Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Matt Ryan and Co. take over at their own 1-yard line looking to do what no team has done against the Seahawks since 2009: execute a 99-yard touchdown drive. Ryan completes two of his first three passes before connecting with Mohamed Sanu for 22 yards to get the Falcons to their own 36-yard line.
“Oh, we were ahead when we got the first, first down ...” -- Falcons receiver Mohamed Sanu
Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports
The Falcons break into Seahawks territory when Ryan finds Taylor Gabriel for 18 yards.
“Kind of put a lot of pressure on the other team and killed a lot of the clock ...” -- Falcons receiver Taylor Gabriel
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Two plays later, Ryan hits Julio Jones just past the first-down marker. Jones falls down but quickly gets back to his feet untouched and races to the sideline for a 20-yard gain with 59 seconds remaining before halftime.
Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports
On the next play, Ryan finds Tevin Coleman for a 14-yard touchdown.
“It was a lot of catch-and-run stuff. Good design. ” -- Seahawks coach Pete Carroll
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Ryan connects with four different receivers on the drive, completing 7 of 9 passes for 99 yards and his second touchdown pass of the half.
Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports
The NFL's highest-scoring offense takes a 19-10 lead after putting together the first 99-yard TD drive in the playoffs since 2014.
Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports
The situation: Trailing Atlanta 12-10 with 3:41 remaining in the first half, the Seahawks pin the Falcons at their own 1-yard line on a 60-yard punt by Jon Ryan. The Falcons have the momentum after benefiting from a Seattle holding penalty that negates a 79-yard punt return by Devin Hester and leads to a safety and a field goal to give Atlanta the lead.
“Get you some breathing room, that's your first job as an offense in a backed-up situation.” -- Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Matt Ryan and Co. take over at their own 1-yard line looking to do what no team has done against the Seahawks since 2009: execute a 99-yard touchdown drive. Ryan completes two of his first three passes before connecting with Mohamed Sanu for 22 yards to get the Falcons to their own 36-yard line.
“Oh, we were ahead when we got the first, first down ...” -- Falcons receiver Mohamed Sanu
Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports
The Falcons break into Seahawks territory when Ryan finds Taylor Gabriel for 18 yards.
“Kind of put a lot of pressure on the other team and killed a lot of the clock ...” -- Falcons receiver Taylor Gabriel
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Two plays later, Ryan hits Julio Jones just past the first-down marker. Jones falls down but quickly gets back to his feet untouched and races to the sideline for a 20-yard gain with 59 seconds remaining before halftime.
Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports
On the next play, Ryan finds Tevin Coleman for a 14-yard touchdown.
“It was a lot of catch-and-run stuff. Good design. ” -- Seahawks coach Pete Carroll
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Ryan connects with four different receivers on the drive, completing 7 of 9 passes for 99 yards and his second touchdown pass of the half.
Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports
The NFL's highest-scoring offense takes a 19-10 lead after putting together the first 99-yard TD drive in the playoffs since 2014.
Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports
Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports
The Falcons break into Seahawks territory when Ryan finds Taylor Gabriel for 18 yards.
“Kind of put a lot of pressure on the other team and killed a lot of the clock ...” -- Falcons receiver Taylor Gabriel
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Two plays later, Ryan hits Julio Jones just past the first-down marker. Jones falls down but quickly gets back to his feet untouched and races to the sideline for a 20-yard gain with 59 seconds remaining before halftime.
Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports
On the next play, Ryan finds Tevin Coleman for a 14-yard touchdown.
“It was a lot of catch-and-run stuff. Good design. ” -- Seahawks coach Pete Carroll
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Ryan connects with four different receivers on the drive, completing 7 of 9 passes for 99 yards and his second touchdown pass of the half.
Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports
The NFL's highest-scoring offense takes a 19-10 lead after putting together the first 99-yard TD drive in the playoffs since 2014.
Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports
Ryan connects with four different receivers on the drive, completing 7 of 9 passes for 99 yards and his second touchdown pass of the half.
Jason Getz/USA TODAY Sports
The NFL's highest-scoring offense takes a 19-10 lead after putting together the first 99-yard TD drive in the playoffs since 2014.
Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports