Matt Schaub should start the rest of the season for the Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons season is officially over, there’s no question about that. Now, it is important that the team loses as many games as possible to ensure a high first-round draft pick, while also protecting their star quarterback.

The best way to ensure that the Atlanta Falcons continue to lose is by sitting Matt Ryan for the rest of the season. Ryan took a beating last Sunday at the hands of Dante Fowler Jr. and the rest of the Los Angeles Rams defense. Now, because of this beating, Ryan is dealing with a sprained ankle that could cost him playtime.

Now, obviously, Ryan is going to want to play. However, I think it is in the best interest of everyone involved that the Atlanta Falcons let Matt Schaub start the rest of the season.

With Schaub at the helm, it basically ensures the Falcons finish with double-digit losses, giving them a top-five pick in the draft. Not to say Schaub is a horrible quarterback or anything, it’s just if Ryan can’t win games with this team, then Schaub definitely can’t. Which, at this point, is a good thing.

Starting Schaub also keeps Ryan safe. There’s no reason at this point in the season, with a 1-6 record, to start Ryan and risk worsening his ankle injury. With the number of times that he has been hit this season, it’s shocking that his only problem right now is a small ankle injury.

Ryan is as durable as they come. The only time he has ever missed any game time is in 2009. I worry that something serious could happen to Ryan this season if he continues to play, which could seriously hinder any hopes of a bounce-back season next year if Ryan misses any significant time.

I’d say sitting Ryan, as well as any other,  dinged up players on the team, for the rest of the season,  would be a smart move. Keeping Chris Lindstrom on the sidelines is ideal. No need in risking any further injury to a guy that has a lot of potentials and could help improve the offensive line next season.

It would be different if the Atlanta Falcons were in the mix for the NFC South or a Wild Card spot, but that’s not the case. Right now, they’re in the mix for a top-five pick, which is exactly where the team needs to stay.

Sure, it may not be fun or exciting to watch Ryan on the bench and Schaub as the starter, but it’s better than watching Ryan get mauled by the opposing defensive line every game just to lose 42-10.

Actually, there are many Atlanta Falcons fans out there that would love this move because according to them, Ryan is the biggest reason this team is underachieving.