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Atlanta Falcons: Falcon’s Win on Thursday Was a Statement Win

By Kit Anderson

Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneersrunning back Antone Smith (top) hyper extends his knee after being brought down by Atlanta Falcons defensive end Cliff Matthews during the second half of a football game at Raymond James Stadium. Smith left the field on a flatbed cart The Falcons won 43-28. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneersrunning back Antone Smith (top) hyper extends his knee after being brought down by Atlanta Falcons defensive end Cliff Matthews during the second half of a football game at Raymond James Stadium. Smith left the field on a flatbed cart The Falcons won 43-28. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Falcons beat the Tampa Bay Bucs 43-20 on Thursday night football. Why was the win one of the most important of the season for the Falcons?

The Atlanta Falcons went into Thursday night with a lot of people watching for another statement win from a Atlanta team that has notoriously collapsed in seasons past. Atlanta has had trouble taking care of business within their division and needed to beat the Buccaneers to help cement themselves as a legitimate playoff team.

Early in the game the Bucs led and Jameis Winston seemed to have his way with the Atlanta defense. They Falcons took over the game in the second half, Matt Ryan played like a legitimate MVP making throws through tight windows and feeding Julio Jones the ball in the second half to separate themselves from the Bucs.

The Bucs scored a couple of late touchdowns to make the final score 43-28 in favor of the Falcons. The win was a big one for the Falcons who now will have an extended week to rest after facing the Bucs four days after their shootout with the Packers.

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The win for the Falcons gives them control of their division as well as a chance to rest and get healthy knowing they are well in control of their own division for the time being. The game was one of the most important wins of the season, proving the Falcons as legitimate playoff contenders.

The defense played much better than they did in week one against this team and showed a lot of improvement on the field. This is a game that last season’s team would have lost to the Bucs. Matt Ryan and the Falcons changed the narrative of their seasons in the past and beat the Bucs the way that playoff teams should beat teams like the Bucs.

Matt Ryan has always been an above average quarterback, but again on Thursday night football showed the steps forward he has taken as a quarterback in his second season in the new offense. Ryan finished the night 25-34 passes completed with 344 passing yards and 4 touchdowns on the night. Ryan continued to spread the ball and make throws that he would have failed to make at any other time in his career.

The Falcons win was a statement not only for the team to show they are a legitimate playoff contender but for Matt Ryan as well. Ryan solidified himself as a MVP candidate and appears to be the clear MVP at the halfway point this season. Tom Brady could easily overtake Ryan however, if he continues on the insane pace that only a pissed off Tom Brady could maintain.

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The Falcons have nine days to rest and get healthy before they take on the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles have had an up-and-down season that they have appeared to be playoff contenders at times and the struggling team they were last at times.  Regardless it will be a tough game for the Falcons and one they have already begun preparing for.

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