Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan is the X-factor

The Atlanta Falcons are 6-1 due in large part to the great seasons of Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman.

The Falcons’ offense started off the year in great shape, but as of late the offense has struggled to score points. Many are pointing fingers at franchise quarterback Matt Ryan for the Falcons’ lackluster play and you can’t blame them for doing so.

Ryan just hasn’t been the Ryan we have all grown to love to start the 2015 season. While Ryan’s numbers are right where they usually are, his decision-making and inaccuracy have stood out, especially in the Falcons’ last two games.

Reports earlier this week that Ryan may have an elbow injury certainly could be the cause of his poor play, but Ryan has denied being injured and explains that he’s perfectly fine.

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Whether Ryan is injured or not, he will need to play better moving forward and that starts with the Falcons’ week 8 matchup vs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

And for that reason, Ryan is the Falcons’ x-factor for this week. If Ryan wants to prove to everyone that he is fine, he needs to come out and have an impressive game against Tampa Bay.

Ryan doesn’t need to come out and throw for 400 yards and five touchdowns, but what he needs to do is be smart with the ball, convert third downs and make sure he is getting Freeman involved as much as possible.

If Ryan can complete 65 percent of his passes and have a good third down percentage then the Falcons should come out on top fairly easily against a Tampa Bay team that is still a work in progress.

We have all been waiting to see Ryan break out of his funk. Will this be the week he snaps out of it? Let’s hope so.

Rise up!