What Milestones Can Atlanta Falcons Players Set?

Despite the win, the Atlanta Falcons were officially eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday. There are still a lot of milestones that could potentially be set though!

Tanking doesn’t work well in the NFL and frankly doesn’t work well in any sport. It’s more of a fan-driven idea. With that being said, the Atlanta Falcons still need to lose the final two games to remain in the top 10 and ensure future success. Even though the team has nothing to play for besides a draft pick, individual players can still set some milestones.

Julio Jones

It’s no secret Julio Jones is having a great season but recently, it hasn’t been as great in the last 3 games. After averaging 109 yards per game in the first 12, Jones has only averaged 69 yards a game in the last 3. The dream of Julio breaking Calvin Johnson’s record is gone unless he can go for 454 yards in the final 2 games which still wouldn’t surprise me. He can get some other records though.

Matt Ryan 

• If  Matt Ryan can throw for 693 yards in the final 2 games, he would hit 5,000 yards for the first time in his career.
• If Ryan can throw for 648 yards in the final 2 games, he would break his passing yards record.
• If Ryan can throw for 9 touchdowns in the final 2 games, he would break his passing touchdowns record.
• If Ryan can avoid an interception in the final 2 games, he would break his interceptions record.
• If Ryan can score 6 touchdowns, he would break his touchdowns record.
• If Ryan can score a rushing touchdown without Ito and Coleman scoring any, he would tie for the most rushing touchdowns on the team.

While only a couple of these is likely, like yards and interceptions, Matt Ryan’s season is still one of his best ever and I think top 5 this year.

Calvin Ridley

Calvin Ridley, just like everyone else on the offense, has slowed down recently with a lot of drops and very few touchdowns. Ridley still has a few milestones he can reach though.

• If Ridley can get 301 yards, he would reach 1,000 yards. It would be the first time the Falcons would have 2 1,000 yard receivers since 2012.
• If Ridley can get 2 touchdowns, he would reach 10 touchdowns.

• Ridley and D.J. Moore are currently the top 2 rookie receivers so if he continues on his pace and Moore slows down, he will lead rookies in receiving yards.
• Ridley is the leader in rookie touchdowns currently with the next rookie having 2 less. Ridley has an opportunity to be both the yards and touchdowns leader for rookies.

Mohamed Sanu

• If Mohamed Sanu can get 124 yards, he would break his personal yardage record.
• If Sanu can get 334 yards, he would reach 1,000 yards.
• If Sanu can get 3 touchdowns, he would break his personal touchdowns record.

Grady Jarrett

• If Grady Jarrett can get 4 sacks, he would hit double-digit sacks.
• Jarrett is currently T-7th in sacks by a defensive tackle so could make top 5 with a couple of great games.
• If Jarrett can get 1 QB hit, he would break his QB hits record.

Deion Jones

• If Deion Jones can get 1 sack, he would break his personal sack record.
• If Jones can get 2 interceptions, he would break his personal interceptions record.

Although most Falcons fans would like to see losses in the next two weeks, I think everyone can agree some milestones being set would be huge for the players and would give some bragging rights to fans!

Next up for the Atlanta Falcons will be the division rival Carolina Panthers, with Atlanta playing only for pride at this point can they beat Cam Newton and the Panthers?