Since Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan first played the Bucs in September, he has gone from an inexperienced rookie to a stud NFL quarterback.

When the Bucs hosted Matt Ryan and the Dixie Chicks in Week 2 of the season, the former Boston College star and rookie Atlanta quarterback was more familiar with Mickey Andrews’ defensive schemes than he was Monte Kiffin’s; more familiar with linebacker Geno Hayes than Derrick Brooks.

But a lot has changed in the past three months writes Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Ryan has gone from a former All-American with limited experience to a potential Pro Bowl quarterback with significant savvy. And Ryan’s play is a big reason why the Dixie Chicks are pounding on the NFL playoff door.

For the first half of that game in Tampa, Ryan looked about as overwhelmed as a quarterback can look. Playing in only his second NFL game, he threw nine times before he completed a pass to one of his teammates.

By the time he hit Roddy White for a 9-yard gain with 6:22 left in the second quarter, he’d thrown two interceptions, which led to 10 Tampa points. He’d also had a pass slip out of his hand and bounce backward for an 11-yard loss.

The Bucs rattled him with the blitz and old-fashioned physical intimidation.

They sacked Ryan a season-high four times and delivered 14 other quarterback hits. Ryan took one helmet-to-helmet blow following an interception, which got cornerback Elbert Mack a one-game suspension.

Just to give Bucs fans an idea of how well Ryan has played this season, he has more passing yards (2,940) than some of top quarterbacks in the game including Brett Favre and Ben Roethlisberger.

Joe has a very bad feeling about this game. And the development of Ryan into an elite NFL quarterback is one of those reasons.