Matt Ryan threw for 215 yards as the Atlanta Falcons defeated the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday afternoon, allowing him to become the fastest player in NFL history to surpass 40,000 passing yards.

Ryan has 40,073 yards through 151 career games. Drew Brees, previously the fastest to the mark, needed 152 career games.

"I've been fortunate to play with a number of great players throughout my nine-and-a-half or 10 years here,'' Ryan said. "I have been fortunate to be on some really good teams and to be able to stay healthy. I'm proud of that. I hope that there's another 40,000 in there, and I can keep playing for a long time."

Ryan is the 19th quarterback to surpass 40,000 yards in league history.