Falcons Post-Week 1 Fantasy Outlook

Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) carries the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jude Adjei-Barimah (38) tackles in the third quarter of their game at the Georgia Dome. The Buccaneers won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) carries the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jude Adjei-Barimah (38) tackles in the third quarter of their game at the Georgia Dome. The Buccaneers won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Matt Ryan

A very good performance: Matt Ryan (27-39, 334 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 3 carries, 10 rushing yards, 0 turnovers: 24.36 points)

Matt Ryan is owned in just 24.5% of NFL.com fantasy leagues and was started in less than 10%. Only a few owners benefited from what was a very good performance for Ryan – both in fantasy and in real life.

Without much help from the run game, and with some costly drops from his receivers, Ryan still managed to the marshal the offense forward to the tune of 24 points (both on the scoreboard and in fantasy).

He found Mohamed Sanu for a first quarter touchdown, after the defense forced a turnover, and later hooked up with Julio Jones for a score, near the end of the third quarter. It was also a turnover-free game for Matt, which is very good to see.

Ryan also looks to have a dangerous new weapon in the passing game in the form of RB Tevin Coleman, who was very explosive through the air.

The Boston College product had just one game last season where he exceeded the point total he achieved today (week 3 against the Dallas Cowboys). The Matt Ryan arrow is pointing up.

Analysis: It would be wise to look at the Falcons’ schedule, and pick Matt Ryan up as a potential bye week fill in, for the future. Ryan is a solid QB2 who deserves to be owned in a higher percentage of leagues than he is right now.

Mattie Ice is startable as a QB1 next week, against an Oakland team which boasts an underwhelming secondary.