Ryan says past losses in playoffs don't matter

By Charles Odum

Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, Jan. 4 2012 1:30 p.m. MST

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws to running back Michael Turner, left, during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, in Atlanta.

John Bazemore, Associated Press

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Summary

Matt Ryan says he's "a lot more mature" than in his first two NFL playoff appearances.

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Matt Ryan says he's "a lot more mature" than in his first two NFL playoff appearances.

Ryan is bringing the best passing numbers of his career into the Falcons' wild-card playoff game at the New York Giants on Sunday.

He has 10 touchdown passes with no interceptions in his last four games. He set the Falcons' record for yards passing in a season.

As a rookie in 2008, Ryan and the Falcons lost a first-round game at Arizona. The Falcons had a first-round bye last year before a blowout loss at home to Green Bay. Ryan threw two interceptions in each loss.

He insists he's not motivated by those losses. He says talk of the past playoff games is another distraction he has learned to ignore.

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