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          Watch: Matt Ryan's first career catch goes for a TD

          • Vaughn McClure, ESPN Staff WriterDec 30, 2018, 08:09 PM
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            • Covered Bears for seven seasons at Chicago Tribune
            • Also worked at Chicago Sun-Times, Fresno Bee
            • Honorable mention, Football Writers Association of America for enterprise writing, 2002
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          TAMPA, Fla. -- The Atlanta Falcons waited awhile, but offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian pulled out some trickery in the season finale.

          Quarterback Matt Ryan caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Mohamed Sanu off a trick play in the third quarter against the Buccaneers. It was Ryan's first career reception and, of course, his first career TD catch.

          Ryan handed the ball off to rookie wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who then gave it to the former quarterback Sanu. Sanu found a wide-open Ryan in the right corner for the touchdown.

          It shouldn't have been a surprise that Sanu passed the ball. It was his seventh career completion on eight attempts with four touchdowns.

          "He's smooth," Sanu said of Ryan. "He might have the best hands out there. He's got the best catch radius right now."

          Ryan responded: "I think [Sanu] was being a little facetious there. My hands are pretty good. My route-running is not very good."

          Ryan typically just stands out wide and watches whenever Sanu lines up in the Wildcat formation. This time, he actually ran a route with Sanu with the ball in his hands. And it worked to perfection.

          Ryan is the 16th QB with a reception this season.