Week 11: Ryan vs. Panthers
Matt Ryan completed 20-of-31 passes for 219 yards and one touchdown in the Falcons’ Week 10 win over the Bucs. Considering the matchup, it was a disappointing day from a fantasy perspective as Ryan badly underthrew an open Julio Jones on a potential touchdown in the first quarter and had Devin Hester drop another score on him in the second quarter. Even though he has a decent matchup against Carolina on Sunday Ryan is a low-end QB1 for Week 11. He’s ranked as our No. 12 QB for this week.
Week 10: Ryan vs. Bucs
Matt Ryan completed 20-of-27 passes for 228 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the Falcons’ Week 8 loss to the Lions. The lone interception was a back-breaker and helped contribute to Atlanta’s second-half collapse versus Detroit. The good news is that the offensive line held up well against the Lions’ vaunted front four in the first half. The bad news is that the pass rush got to Ryan in the final two quarters and he succumbed to the pressure as the Falcons failed to move the ball. At least he has a favorable matchup on Sunday versus the Bucs. Consider him a QB1 as he ranks as our No. 5 overall quarterback for Week 10.
Week 8: Ryan vs. Lions
Matt Ryan completed 29-of-44 passes for 228 yards and a touchdown in the Falcons’ Week 7 loss to the Ravens. Once again Ryan was treated like a rag doll by an opponent because his offensive line couldn’t sustain blocks. Things won’t get any easier for him this Sunday in London when Atlanta takes on Detroit and the Lions’ nasty front four. Given the matchup and the fact that the Falcons placed yet another offensive lineman (Peter Konz) on injured reserve this week (their fifth OL to go on IR since the preseason), Ryan ranks as our No. 18 overall QB for Week 8. Search your waiver wire for better options, such as Alex Smith, Ryan Tannehill or Ben Roethlisberger.
Week 7: Ryan vs. Ravens
Matt Ryan was held to just 271 yards on 19-of-37 passing with one touchdown and one interception in the Falcons' Week 6 loss to the Bears. In what should have been a great matchup against a banged up Chicago defense, Ryan was once again held back by an offensive line that caused him to be under duress all game. Now Ryan and the Falcons have to hit the road (where they have not been effective offensively) and face a tough Baltimore defense this week. Due to the matchup, Atlanta's road issues, and the fact that his offensive line is a bigger opponent than his actual opponent, Ryan is a borderline QB1, ranking as our No. 14 overall QB for Week 6.
Week 6: Ryan vs. Bears
Matt Ryan completed 29-of-45 passes for 316 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the Falcons' Week 5 loss to the Giants. His day was saved in large part due to Antone Smith's 74-yard touchdown reception midway through the third quarter. After two straight road games, the Falcons return home on Sunday where Ryan has already thrown for 734 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions. But with Atlanta's offensive line severely banged up, OC Dirk Koetter is forced to be more conservative with his game plans. He can't ask second and even third-stringers along the offensive line to consistently protect Ryan on seven-step drops, which thus limits what the Falcons can do in the vertical game. That said, Ryan is our No. 5 QB for Week 6 thanks to a great matchup versus Chicago's suspect defense.
Week 5: Ryan vs. Giants
Matt Ryan completed 25-of-41 passes for 298 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions in the Falcons' shocking Week 4 loss to the Vikings. Despite playing behind an offensive line that lost three starters throughout the course of the game and had to finish the contest with tight end Levine Toilolo playing right tackle (that's not a misprint), Ryan managed to post good fantasy numbers. Just like in 2013, the offensive line is now a weekly concern in Atlanta. The unit is ravaged by injuries and that could affect Ryan's production throughout the rest of the year unless O-line coach Mike Tice can settle things. That said, he's been too good to leave on your bench and despite the Falcons' road woes this year, Ryan remains a QB1 for Week 5 at the Giants. He's our No. 10 QB for this week.
Week 4: Ryan vs. Vikings
Matt Ryan torched the Buccaneers for 286 yards with three touchdowns on 21-of-24 passing in the Falcons' 56-14 victory in Week 3. With the Falcons up 49-0 at one point, Ryan left the game early or else who knows how many fantasy points he would have racked up. With weapons like Julio Jones to throw to and an offensive coordinator in Dirk Koetter that stresses the vertical passing game, Ryan continues to be a solid QB1. He did have the one dud performance on the road versus Cincinnati in Week 2, but it's important to note that rookie LT Jake Matthews didn't play in that game due to an ankle injury and Ryan was constantly under duress. He's our No. 5 overall QB for Week 4.
Ryan vs. Bucs
A week after turning in the best game of his career, Matt Ryan produced one of his worst when he completed 24-of-44 passes for 231 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions versus the Bengals. With rookie LT Jake Matthews out of the lineup, Ryan was treated like a piñata by his own offensive line, particularly RT Lamar Holmes. Ryan never got comfortable in the pocket and in turn, Atlanta's offense never got in sync. The good news is that Matthews is expected to play on Thursday night versus the Bucs, meaning that Gabe Carimi should replace Holmes on the right side. Tampa Bay will likely be without Gerald McCoy (hand) again, which means Atlanta's offensive line shouldn't have many issues keeping Ryan upright. Despite his poor performance last Sunday, Ryan remains a QB1 and is our ninth-ranked quarterback for Week 3.
Week 2: Ryan vs. Bengals
Matt Ryan put on a clinic last Sunday, completing 31-of-43 passes for 448 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in the Falcons' 37-34 win over the Saints. His average yards per pass went for 10.4 yards as he spread the ball around to nine different receivers. The only concern is that starting left tackle Jake Matthews left the game with an ankle injury and the rookie is likely to miss Sunday's game versus the Bengals. Despite the potential protection issues, as long as Julio Jones and Roddy White stay healthy Ryan should continue to put up big numbers in Atlanta's pass-happy offense. He faces a difficult challenge this week in Cincinnati's defense, but ranks as our No. 8 QB for Week 2.
Week 1: Ryan vs. Saints
We've listed Matt Ryan as a top 5 quarterback for Week 1 thanks to what should be a high-scoring game versus the Saints. While Ryan doesn't beat New Orleans often (he's just 3-8 in his career against the Falcons' rivals), he has thrown for 3,124 yards with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 16:7. That averages to be 284 yards and a TD-to-INT ratio of 1.45:0.64 per game versus the Saints. Due to a shaky defense and a questionable running game, Ryan and the Falcons will likely be forced to put the ball in the air plenty again this season. Week 1 will be no exception.
