Falcons' Matt Ryan Sets Team Record for Career Passing Touchdowns

With the second of his three touchdown passes in Sunday's 37-34 win over the New Orleans Saints, Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons broke the team record for career passing touchdowns, according to ESPN.com.

Entering the game one shy of Steve Bartkowski's then-record of 154 touchdowns, Ryan hooked up with longtime teammate Roddy White in the second quarter to match the record. The record-breaking touchdown came on a one-yard touchdown strike to tight end Levine Toilolo in the third quarter, with Ryan adding No. 156 on a dump-off to running back Antone Smith, who weaved through the defense for a 54-yard touchdown.

Ryan had one of his finest outings as a pro, setting a new franchise single-game record with 448 passing yards. He completed 31 of his 43 attempts (72.1 percent) and did not have any interceptions or fumbles to go with the three touchdowns.

The Falcons' all-time leader in completions (2,124), quarterback wins (61) and passing yardage (23,920), Ryan also holds the franchise marks for completion percentage (63.8) and quarterback rating (91.1) among all signal-callers who have started more than three games for the team.

In terms of single-season franchise records, Ryan owns the top three campaigns for passing yardage and four of the top six for touchdowns, including a team-record 32 touchdowns in 2012.

While yet to win a playoff game, Ryan doesn't need to do so in order to be considered the greatest quarterback in the history of a largely hapless franchise.

Among quarterbacks who have started 20 or more regular-season games for the Falcons, only Ryan (61-34-0), Chris Chandler (34-33-0) and Michael Vick (38-28-1) have winning records. Bartkowski was a respectable 55-66-0 in a Falcons uniform, albeit with a 1-3 record in just three playoff appearances.