Atlanta, GA

Matt Ryan had another razor-sharp performance, throwing three TD passes in less than three quarters of action as the Atlanta Falcons thrashed the Jacksonville Jaguars 41-14 Thursday night at Georgia Dome.

It enabled Atlanta to improve its bid for an NFC Wild-Card berth.

Although the Falcons (9-5) can still catch New Orleans (10-3) in the NFC South race, Atlanta is more likely to contend for one of the Wild-Card spots.

The triumph clinched the Falcons' fourth straight winning season under head coach Mike Smith.

Ryan, who hooked up with Roddy White on two touchdowns, was 19 of 26 for 224 yards and three TD. Atlanta's 26-year-old quarterback finished with a passer rating of 137.7, the second-highest of his career.

Ryan also found Julio Jones for a 29 yard-strike at 10:51 in the first quarter, as the Falcons offense jumped all over Jacksonville by marching 75 yards in seven plays to post a 7-0 lead.

White caught 10 passes for 135 yards, while Michael Turner ran for 61 yards and a score for the victors.

The Atlanta defense, led by veteran defensive end John Abraham, demolished the Jags offense and throttled its rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert.

Gabbert connected on 12-of-22 passes for 141 yards and a TD, but threw an interception and two lost fumbles.

Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew registered 112 yards on 17 carries in the loss.

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