The Matt Ryan Slander Has To Stop Immediately

After the 1-5 start to the season, the Atlanta Falcons season is a loss. While there are many factors to why the season has gone sour so quickly, Matt Ryan has been a standout performer as one of the few bright spots left on this team.

If you like to participate on Twitter, particularly on Sunday’s, which I don’t know why you would want to wade in such a horrible cesspool of negativity, you would be almost convinced Matt Ryan is the sole issue for the Atlanta Falcons being 1-5 on the season. Not the coaching or defense, but Matt Ryan is solely responsible for the downfall of the Atlanta Falcons franchise. However, that is simply not the case when you look at the numbers.

Let’s run down some Matt Ryan stats from the first 6 games:

Leads the NFL in TD passes(15)

Leads the NFL in completions(186)

2nd in the NFL in passing yards(2,011)

3rd in the NFL in completion percentage(72.1%)

7th in the NFL in total QBR(62.9)

Yes, these numbers haven’t led to much success, but that is far from Matt Ryan’s fault. According the to numbers, he’s doing everything he can to will this team to victories. Yet, it’s the defense that can’t stop teams from scoring. It’s the running game that has been stagnant all season. It’s injuries that are piling up on the offense and defense.

The one stat everyone who doubts Matt Ryan will point to his interception numbers. On the season, Ryan has 7 interceptions through 6 games, after throwing only 7 interceptions all of last season. Yes, Ryan was sloppy to start the season, but since then has tightened, only throwing 1 interception in his three games. No one who doubts Matt Ryan’s abilities wants to talk about the huge holes the defense puts this team in every week, making Matt Ryan throw the ball much more than he should have to, hence the good stats in regards to passing yards and completions.

The national media isn’t susceptible to the garbage takes either:

I’m assuming the Kyle Brandt tweet is a joke, but you never know when dealing with a failed reality star who is constantly looking for attention. With that said, that is a garbage list at the top. Matt Ryan has one QB he looks up to in the NFC South, and that’s Drew Brees. Cam Newton, if healthy, sure, maybe. Kyle Allen and Teddy Bridgewater? Excuse me while I go laugh that one off. Hey, maybe I’m beginning to understand Kyle Brandt’s humor.

This has been a long, roundabout way of saying Matt Ryan is not the problem. He’s not going to be traded to move up in the draft for Tua or Justin Herbert or anyone. Matt Ryan is a top ten QB in the NFL today still. Guys get hurt, Big Ben, Drew Brees, or age like spoiled milk, Joe Flacco, Eli Manning, while Matt Ryan continues to put up some of the best numbers in his career. If Ryan continues the pace he’s currently at, this season has the chance to be just as good as last season or his MVP run.

I’m frustrated, just like you, with this Falcons season, but blaming Matt Ryan is about the dumbest thing anyone can do. Dan Quinn and Thomas Dimitroff are on their ways out of Atlanta while Ryan continues to do everything he can to save their jobs. Fortunately, for Falcons fan, Ryan won’t succeed in that endeavor and we will be rid of our head coach-GM combo for good. Matt Ryan, however, will still be here next season and the season after that. Stop whining over interception numbers and trying to trade away a top-ten QB for a chance at a rookie QB. It’s insane. Enough is enough.