5 Reasons the Falcons didn’t have a game this week
By Sinjin Snope
![Oct 30, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) celebrates a first down catch in the second quarter of their game against the Green Bay Packers at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 33-32. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports Oct 30, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) celebrates a first down catch in the second quarter of their game against the Green Bay Packers at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons won 33-32. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fbloggingdirty-com-2Ffiles-2F2016-2F11-2F9644771-austin-hooper-nfl-green-bay-packers-atlanta-falcons-850x548-5b149ee1bbd831157f191a0229a8f99a881f3d9d39dd1b8861a2da8948506acb.jpg)
The 4 Best Players
This season, we have seen many players step up and play well. Consequently, it has lead to the Falcons being much-improved and has them as a viable contender in the NFC. Let’s take a look at who I think have been the 4 most impactful players so far for Atlanta.
1. Matt Ryan
The veteran QB has bounced back nicely from his poor 2015-16 campaign and has turned in MVP-like numbers through 10 games. So far this season, he has thrown for 3,247 yards, 24 Touchdowns and only 5 interceptions.
Ryan has already surpassed his TD total from last season and he still has 6 games to play. It’s not hard to envision him on the podium accepting the MVP trophy if he keeps up this level of play and the Falcons keep winning games.
2. Julio Jones
I am convinced Julio is an alien. Sent from outer space to destroy every defensive back on the face of the earth. He is just so much bigger and faster than everyone on the field, it’s hard not to list him as one of the best players on the team, if not the NFL.
Jones has caught 61 passes for 1105 yards and 5 touchdowns so far this season. With a few more games like the ones against Carolina and Seattle (despite the missed PI) he could surpass 2,000 (!) yards on the season. Which is just absurd.
3. Vic Beasley Jr.
During the offseason and even into the early part of this year, there were grumblings that Vic Beasley might be a bust. I always think a player needs at least 3 full seasons to determine if they are a bust or not, but Beasley was obviously struggling through the early part of his career.
Then the game in Denver happened. #44 tallied 3.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in the game that would be his coming-out party. Since then, he has only gotten better each week, totaling 9.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles on the season thus far. It’s more than encouraging to see Vic live up to his 8th overall pick this season, let’s hope he finishes 2016 just as strong as he’s started it.
4. Alex Mack
Last year, the center position for the Falcons was an utter disaster.
This lead to GM Thomas Dimitroff forking out the big bucks to get all-pro center Alex Mack in free agency. Oh boy did that move work out in Atlanta’s favor. Mack has solidified the Falcons’ offensive line and turned the unit into a true strength.
The play of the much improved line has lead to the Falcons having the most potent offense in the NFL through the first 10 games. If Mack and Co. can continue their solid play, the Falcons will remain a threat in the NFC.