ATLANTA -- Maybe folks will stop talking about his 1-4 playoff start now.

Leading up to Saturday's divisional playoff showdown against the Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons quarterback and lead MVP candidate Matt Ryan said he would "block out the noise" related to his postseason record.

He didn't dwell on falling one pass short of the Super Bowl during the 2012 season and losing to San Francisco in the NFC Championship Game. He had no scars from being beat up by the New York Giants one season, or being upstaged at home by Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers during another.

All Ryan cared about was the moment at hand and handling this year's business. The first phase was a 36-20 triumph over the Seahawks, which propelled the No. 2 seed Falcons into next week's NFC Championship Game. It was the second-most points ever scored by the Falcons in a playoff game, behind the 47 scored against the Rams in 2004.

"I thought we played well today," Ryan said. "I did. I thought we had a really good plan all week. Kyle [Shanahan] did a good job of letting us know what he expected from us, and what he wanted us to do, and how we could win the game. I was proud of how the guys went out there and executed."

Once again, Ryan finds himself one step away from the Super Bowl.

Some critics have hesitated to thrust Ryan into the category of the "elite" because he has yet to taste the NFL's ultimate prize. Well, he and his teammates are definitely hungry for it, and it shows.

Ryan made sure there was no bye-week hangover Saturday by stepping on the gas early and never letting off. After the Seahawks milked the clock with a 14-play, 89-yard touchdown drive to start the game, Ryan came right back and engineered a 13-play, 75-yard drive of his own, capped by a 7-yard touchdown pass to dynamic receiver Julio Jones. The score marked the seventh consecutive game the Falcons have scored a touchdown on their opening drive.

Ryan's first half proved that he should be the league MVP. Against a Seahawks defense still expected to be formidable even without injured free safety Earl Thomas, Ryan completed 15 of 20 passes for 190 yards with two touchdowns before halftime. On his second touchdown pass to a wide-open Tevin Coleman, Ryan showed tremendous footwork and balance before launching the pass. He spread the ball around to six different receivers in staking the Falcons to a 19-10 halftime lead. He avoided blitzes and still put the ball in places where his targets could make plays.

The poise Ryan has played with all season is the reason why the Falcons have a legitimate shot to win the Super Bowl, not just get there and be satisfied. He didn't throw an interception Saturday, giving him five consecutive games without a pick going back to the regular season. Remember, turnovers are what made last season such a miserable one for Ryan.

His final stat line Saturday read as follows: 26-of-37 for 338 yards, three touchdowns, 125.7 passer rating.

"We've got to praise Matt for what he's done this whole year," right tackle Ryan Schraeder said. "He's done a lot for us this year as a team. And it's pretty cool to be a part of it. He's had a hell of a year, and we're just happy to be able to block for him."

Ryan certainly was helped by some great catches by his receivers, namely Taylor Gabriel and Mohamed Sanu. He also received some explosive plays from running backs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, including an ankle-breaking move by Freeman in the open field. Freeman finished with 14 carries for 45 yards and a touchdown and had four catches for 80 yards, while Coleman had 57 yards on 11 carries with three grabs for 22 yards and a score. Ryan also singled out the toughness and effort displayed by Schraeder and the rest of the offensive line.

As long as Ryan continues to play at this level, it's hard to imagine the Falcons being stopped. They lived up to their regular-season standard in surpassing 30 points for the 12th time this season. Remember, they led the league at 33.8 points per game and were the only team to average 30-plus.

Now it's on to the NFC Championship game either at top-seeded Dallas or back inside the Georgia Dome against No. 4-seed Green Bay, with the Cowboys and Packers squaring off Sunday. Ryan was asked point blank which opponent he would prefer.

"Doesn't matter to me," he said simply.

Road or home, the Falcons have the ability to outscore anyone. And they have the right person guiding the offense.

It's the same guy who set off an eruption at the end of Saturday's game with the chants coming from the stands:

"MVP! MVP! MVP!"