Matt Ryan's Expectations for the 2011 season

Matt Ryan vs the Panthers last season

In his first three years as the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, Matt Ryan is on pace for being the first quarterback in franchise history to post four straight winning seasons. His career record through his first three years in a Falcons uniform is 33-13 and his record at the Georgia Dome ranks as one of the best starts by any quarterback in NFL history with a outstanding 20-3 record. Ryan made his 1st Pro Bowl appearance last season after posting a franchise record for completions (357), pass attempts (571), and completion percentage (62.5). He also threw (28) touchdowns, which ranks as the second most by a Falcons quarterback in a season and threw for (3,705) yards last season. Matt Ryan have also made a name for himself in Atlanta and around the NFL as "Matty Ice" because in most late game situations, this young quarterback have lead his team to victory. In 2010, Matt Ryan conducted five comeback or and last-second wins against the Saints, 49ers, Buccaneers, Packers, and Ravens. Matt Ryan is emerging as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL and this season, the fans of Atlanta are expecting great things from this team and I will list some of the important steps that Matt Ryan needs to take in order to have a great season and potentially return a Lombardi trophy to Atlanta.


1. Expect for Matt Ryan to spread his offense in 2011

Matt Ryan vs the Saints

One of the main issues in the past three seasons that Atlanta have encountered was the lack of weapons to have a explosive offensive team. Last season, despite posting a 13-3 record, the Falcons were tied for 22nd  in the NFL for plays of 40+ yards with only six big plays from scrimmage. Atlanta didn't have many options for explosive plays other than Roddy White, who caught three of the six passes from Ryan and despite White having the best season as a wide receiver in Atlanta Falcons history, his production was still limited due to double coverage and lack of production with the other receivers on the team in 2010. This season, with the addition of 1st-round draft pick Julio Jones, the Falcons will have a receiver who can spread the defense and take pressure off Roddy White and also gives Matt Ryan the option to take some shots down the field to a quick receiver like Jones. Julio Jones, the 1st round pick from Alabama, was a explosive receiver in his years in college and he fits the Falcons identity for their offense and will look to make an immediate impact as a wide receiver. Also, 2011 will see the return of their young receivers Kerry Meier and Harry Douglas who can also provide an spark on offense with their speed and ability to turn short passes into huge plays for the Falcons. Matt Ryan will finally have the options to make Atlanta one of the most explosive offenses in 2011. The Falcons offense will only become deadlier as the season approaches because despite the lack of a explosive receiver, this offense were one of the best in the NFL last season.

2. Matt Ryan must deliver on the big stage

Matt Ryan calling the play vs the Bengals

As much as Matt Ryan have accomplished with his late comeback wins and his outstanding record as a starter, there is one flaw that have haunted his 3-year career as a Falcons quarterback and that is winning some of the biggest games of his career. Ryan is 0-2 in playoff games with a 30-24 loss in Arizona in the wildcard round and a shocking 48-21 to the Green Bay Packers at home in the 2010 divisional playoffs. In those games, there were some unfortunate plays that cost Atlanta from winning those crucial games; however, as a quarterback, Matt Ryan must develop a "killer instinct" in these huge games for the Falcons. As of now, many experts are using his career as a comparison to Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco who currently have (4) playoff victories and Mark Sanchez with (3) playoff victories for the Jets and neither have the key pieces and talent that Ryan has and coming into his fourth season, the expectations will be higher than usual for the Falcons and there are a lot of huge regular season games in 2011 that will allow Matt Ryan to prove his status as one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL today. This season, the Falcons will face six teams who made the postseason in 2010 including a re-match of the divisional playoffs against the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers at home in week five. Atlanta will also play four primetime games this NFL season and three will feature the teams who defeated this Falcons squad in 2010 (Philadelphia, New Orleans, Green Bay) so this season will allow Atlanta to show the NFL and their fans that the Falcons are without a doubt, a elite team in the National Football League.

3. Matt Ryan will continue to impress at quarterback in 2011

Matt Ryan in a preseason game vs Miami

Heading into his 4th season, Matt Ryan continues to impress his critics and Falcons fans everywhere with his ablility to lead a football team to the next level. Ryan is the first quarterback in Atlanta Falcons history to post three consecutive winning seasons. Ryan have also set some Falcons franchise records in his three seasons in Atlanta including posting the most wins as a Falcons quarterback in three seasons (33), he is only the 2nd rookie quarterback in NFL history to post 3,000 or more passing yards, Ryan and Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is the only two rookie quarterbacks in NFL history to start all 16 regular season games and lead their teams to the postseason. Ryan is also tied with Flacco for the best record for a rookie quarterback playing in every game during the season with (11). Matt Ryan and this Atlanta Falcons team continues to break franchise records each season. Ryan and the 2010 Falcons posted a 13-3 record, which was the 2nd most wins by any Falcons team, only the 1998 NFC champions had a better season of 14-2. Ryan also set the Falcons record for most net yards in franchise history in 2008 with (5,779). The 2011 season is turning into one of the most anticipated campaigns by a Falcons team ever and hopefully the results will involve a Super Bowl victory.