Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons dominate the Carolina Panthers

After the Atlanta Falcons dismantled the Carolina Panthers, one thing is clear. Matt Ryan owns the I-85 rivalry versus the team in Charlotte.

It doesn’t matter if the Atlanta Falcons are playing against Cam Newton or Kyle Allen or any other quarterback in blue. It’s his series.

Critics have consistently pointed to Matt Ryan as the problem with the Falcons offense. Without Austin Hooper or Devonta Freeman, he went on the road and made guys like Russell Gage and Justin Hardy legitimate weapons.

And the questions about his deep-ball accuracy? He dropped dime after dime to Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones on explosive plays downfield.

For some reason, the Panthers thought their guy Luke Kuechly could stick with Julio Jones. Apparently, the moss job Jones delivered in Week 16 four years ago wasn’t enough. Matt Ryan and Julio burned Luke again on Sunday.  Enjoy this reminder:

And lest we not forget the 300 yards receiving performance and 500-yard passing performance the two pulled off a few years ago.

Also, every NFL player talks crap. That’s no secret. But after you beat a team and tell them to “get the f*** off your field,” you move into the realm of ownership. The Panthers defensive linemen Mario Addison called him a crybaby on Instagram.

His plan was to send the Falcons home with an L. Matt Ryan responded with 311 yards, a touchdown and not a single turnover.

Cam Newton was supposed to deliver spice to this rivalry. Ryan didn’t bat an eye. And the Falcons have now won four straight in the series.

The team may only have three wins this year, but two of those have come against the biggest rivals in the division. And both on the road.

And you may call him Matt Ryan, Matty Ice, or overrated. But one thing is clear. He’s got the Panthers in the palm of his hand.