Atlanta Falcons Should Consider Resting Matt Ryan

The Atlanta Falcons are now playing for simply pride, falling out of the playoff race in what is now a lost season. With Matt Ryan continually taking punishment it is time to rest the franchise star.

Matt Ryan has taken more hits in the last month then any other quarterback in the League. The Atlanta Falcons franchise quarterback has taken enough punishment in what is now a lost season for Atlanta.

Packing it up may not sit well with Ryan but for the Falcons it is the right move to protect their future. Every mile they put on Ryan’s legs and every hit he takes this season is unneeded wear on a franchise cornerstone.

Ryan is having a great season completing 70.5% of his passes and throwing 28 touchdowns to 6 interceptions.

Still it is time to shut Ryan down and insert the backup quarterback. The Falcons are essentially playing for a draft pick in their final three games of the season.

Losing helps the Falcons more then it will hurt them at this point in the season. Shutting down and protecting their most important player seems to be an easy decision.

However, it remains doubtful the Falcons will shut Ryan down considering the fact he isn’t injured and they seem to be unwilling to embrace the terrible position they are in.

Every time Ryan takes the field there is always the risk he will be injured. When the Falcons are playing meaningful games it is obviously important Ryan grit through tough seasons.

This year, however, there is no reason for the Falcons to allow Ryan to continue to take the level of punishment he has been taking over the past month.

It is time for the Falcons to make the right decision and shut down Ryan until next season. It is the right move for a team whose season is lost.