Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan has to be better in week four

Matt Ryan has had an underwhelming start to the season including a meltdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week two. Ryan deserves a portion of the blame but spent the first two weeks running for his life.

However, the offensive line is improving and Ryan must as well. The dink and dunk offense will not beat Washington in week four, Ryan is going to have to force the issue in week four and see if any of his receivers can make plays.

Ryan has a rare chance to be the best player in nearly every game this season. Outside of facing Tom Brady the Falcons schedule is littered with rookie and unproven quarterbacks including on Sunday against Washington.

Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons cannot afford to lose to a terrible Washington defense

The Washington Football Team was expected to be a top-five defense this season, instead, they have been one of the worst in the league.

Ryan cannot afford to lose to Taylor Heinicke and continue to dink and dunk as he has done through the first three weeks of the season. While getting beat by Tampa is forgivable Atlanta was also blown out by what appears to be a bad Eagles team.

All three weeks the offense has been stagnant and consistently thrown short passes checking down and refusing to throw the ball deep. Ryan must force the issue this week against Washington.

If it is simply the receiver’s inability to separate put that fact on display.  Give them a chance to make plays instead of checking the ball down three times and punting. At worst forcing the issue gives the ball to the defense instead of punting on special teams.

Ryan needs to take the reigns of the offense and find a way to get the ball to Kyle Pitts or Calvin Ridley down the field. Something Ryan has failed to do three weeks into the season.