Atlanta Falcons need Mike Davis to help protect Matt Ryan

Mike Davis is coming off of what was an uneven performance for the Atlanta Falcons in week one. Davis finished the game with 49-rushing yards averaging 3.3-yards-per-carry. An underwhelming stat line that doesn’t tell the full story for Davis.

Davis and the Falcons running game came out hot fueling two impressive drives that stalled out deep into Eagles’ territory. Both drives saw Davis run the way the Falcons hoped he would.

He was a monster running through the gap and refusing to go down at first contact. It seemed every time he touched the football early on it was a positive play for Atlanta. It was the same running game the Titans have employed over the past three years.

The Atlanta Falcons needs Mike Davis to succeed to protect Matt Ryan

If there was one obvious takeaway from Atlanta’s week one game it was their inability to protect Matt Ryan. Ryan and the Falcons need Davis to succeed not only in week two but for the rest of the season.

Davis needs to be consistent and establish a run game, one that is imposing enough to give Ryan a chance to be protected.  Atlanta needs the Mike Davis from the first half in Atlanta, not the player who couldn’t get past the line of scrimmage after halftime.

If Davis can pair with Cordarrelle Patterson and become even a league-average rushing attack it will be enough for the Falcons to protect Ryan and score with regularity.

Atlanta needs Mike Davis to protect their veteran quarterback a lot of pressure to heap on a running back already attempt to establish himself as a starter.  Patterson will be a great compliment as an elusive player to pair with Mike’s mauling style of running.

Week two will be as important as any for Davis to have a solid week considering the pass rush Ryan will be facing.  A lot rests squarely on the shoulders of Mike Davis.