Falcoholinks: All the Falcons news you need for Wednesday, Oct. 24

It’s your mini-vacation, Falcons fans. Atlanta enters its bye week at 3-4, with a road clash at Washington the next game on the docket for Sunday, Nov. 4. So crack a cold one, kick your feet up, and enjoy Wednesday’s edition of Falcoholinks.

Matt Ryan continues to make history

Quarterback Matt Ryan’s sterling season continued on Monday night, completing 31/39 passes for 379 yards and a touchdown. Another game without an interception, and his performance against the Giants yielded him another team record. Matt Ryan has now thrown 203 straight passes without a pick, eclipsing Steve Bartkowski’s previous team record of 197 in a row.

Matt Ryan is carrying this team on his back with his recent run of play, and is a large reason why there’s some hope in the offing for Atlanta’s playoff aspirations. In fact, Ryan’s numbers nearly mirror his 2016 MVP campaign thus far:

3-4 looks and feels much better than 2-5, and Ryan will look to continue his string of elite performances after the bye against Washington.

Brandon Fusco headed to IR, Falcons bring back Sean Harlow

Right guard Brandon Fusco left Monday’s game in the first half after a severe looking ankle injury. Fusco was rolled up on and bent backwards, immediately writhing in pain on the field. He was unable to put any pressure on his right leg when he was helped off, and was then carted to the locker room.

After watching the play, it didn’t look good at all. Fusco was replaced by Ben Garland for the remainder of the game, and Dan Quinn unfortunately announced during his Tuesday press conference that Fusco had broken his ankle and would miss the remainder of the season.

Terrible luck for Brandon, and more terrible luck for the Falcons who have now lost their second starting guard for the year. Wishing Brandon Fusco the best for a speedy recovery.

In related moves, the Falcons have brought back former fourth-round selection Sean Harlow and assigned him to the practice squad, as well as waiving Zac Kerin and J.C. Hassenauer. They then followed up that move by signing offensive lineman Rees Odhiambo to the active roster. This leaves one active roster spot open, and with the trade deadline less than a week away it certainly opens up the door for a move to be made.

Who was the defensive player of the game?

It was classic bend-don’t-break, but the Falcons’ defense flashed against the Giants and gave the offense consistent opportunities to score. Grady Jarrett recorded two sacks. Damontae Kazee was flying around the field once more, in on five tackles and a tackle for loss. Both Takkarist McKinley and Jack Crawford brought Eli Manning to the ground.

So who deserves Defensive Player of the Game honors? Head here and make your voice heard.

Falcons Stock Report

Who’s trending in the right direction and who is on the downswing? Well, for Vic Beasley I’m not sure it’s a downswing, more just down and out. Our Kendall Jackson’s weekly column took a look at the three Falcons whose arrow is pointing up, and three whose arrow is pointing down.