Atlanta Falcons: Top 20 games in franchise history

17) Falcons 34, Lions 21: September 7, 2008

The beginning of an era

When Matt Ryan came into the NFL, many questioned whether he’d be a franchise quarterback or if he had the arm strength to compete at the professional level. And when he took the field on September 7, 2008, it was apparent that Ryan was more skilled than what some of the media thought of him.

Going against the Detroit Lions in 2008 was hardly a difficult task as that organization was reeling in mediocrity for a few years. But this was still the chance for Matt Ryan to show that he belonged, and he did.
He carved the defense in the game with a little help from the offense around him. Short, little checkdowns continued to move the ball down the field, and the Falcons grew their lead as the clock ticked on.

But Ryan appeared every bit as good as a third or fourth year starter in the NFL in this game, and before you knew it, the Falcons were walking into the locker room with a 34-21 victory.

Now as we are years into the future, we were seeing a franchise record setting quarterback come to life before our eyes, and for a franchise desperately searching for answers, they were able to find one in the rookie from Boston College.

Next: No. 16