Atlanta Falcons: What is Wrong With Matt Ryan?

The Atlanta Falcons are off to a 1-3 start this season, a season that seems to be all but over four weeks in. Atlanta has been simply terrible, including franchise quarterback Matt Ryan.

Matt Ryan has long been one of the few bright spots for a seemingly cursed Atlanta Falcons team. They continually have underachieved and been the spotlight of plenty of jokes after their Super Bowl collapse.

Despite all of their issues, the one constant in recent seasons has been quarterback Matt Ryan. This season, however, that hasn’t been the case. Though you could blame the defense alone, it wouldn’t be fair or accurate not to place a portion of the blame on Matt Ryan.

Ryan has led the league in interceptions this season with 6 so far and one fumble that he lost. He is turning the ball over at an alarming rate. Something he hasn’t done in years past, throwing only 7-interceptions all of last season.

The eye test says tells us two things about Ryan, the first is that he is under a lot of pressure constantly. He doesn’t have a clean pocket to work and has to get the ball out quickly.

The second is the fact the Falcons often call long-developing routes behind a terrible offensive line.  Even when the deep receiver isn’t open Ryan is still forcing it in spots he has no business throwing it in.

Two of his interceptions have come on throws where the safety was obviously doubling Ryan’s target and Ryan threw it right to him.

If this continues there will be cause for concern as to whether or not Ryan is starting to regress. He is consistently making mistakes that a franchise quarterback of his caliber simply cannot make.

If he cannot begin to improve, Atlanta may begin to consider life after Matt Ryan.  More to come as Atlanta’s season continues.