Julio Jones, Not Matt Ryan, Deserves Credit for Bailing Out Falcons and Their Epidemic of Blowing It

The stat sheet shows a Matt Ryan long touchdown pass to Julio Jones made the difference for the Falcons on Sunday night, but anyone who watched the Atlanta near-meltdown knows that's not the case.

Jones took a screen pass to the house on what was a creative play-call considering the Falcons were facing a fourth-and-short. Yet, it's Ryan's play which put Atlanta in danger of losing in the first place, with several untimely and critical interceptions in the second half. The Eagles were bruised and battered, with injuries seemingly across the depth chart.

The fact this took a late drive paired with the actions of a generational talent is an indictment on Ryan and the culture of blowing leads (and playing not to lose) that the Falcons have in place, and it starts at the top.

Ryan's reputation os 'Matty Ice', a so-called clutch player, dates back to his college days at Boston College. Yet, Ryan shouldn't and cannot hold onto that nickname based on recent merit. The Falcons simply find ways to blow leads, and as much as Ryan may put up gaudy statistics on a losing ball-club, Atlanta simply has too much talent to struggle when it matters most.

Reminder--despite the painful result, this was a Super Bowl team just three years ago! Yet Ryan in particular cannot seem to get over the mental hurdle that comes with the biggest choke job in Super Bowl history.

So, Falcons fans can take solace in the fact they have an other-worldly talent which bailed out a franchise which, from top to bottom, seems destined to lose despite some very well-known names on the roster.

For now, that's enough.