A lot has been said about the remarkable poise that Falcons QB Matt Ryan shows as a rookie.

But let’s talk about his toughness.

Despite a somewhat gangly physique and boyish looks, Ryan has been fearless in the pocket all season. Against the Vikings Sunday, he showed he isn’t afraid to sacrifice his body for a touchdown when he hurled himself over a pile of bodies near the goal line. In the process, Ryan took a hard hit that resulted in a fumble that Justin Blalock recovered in the end zone to give the Falcons a comfortable lead. Despite the turnover, a play like that only enhances the already sky-high level of respect that Ryan’s teammates have for him.

A performance like this demonstrates that Ryan has the proper frame of mind to deal with the elevated pressure and urgency that will only intensify from here. He also continues to receive tremendous support from RB Michael Turner and a defense that’s determined to prevent Vikings QB Tarvaris Jackson from a second consecutive successful start since being benched two games into the season.

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