3 Atlanta Falcons that must step up in against San Francisco

3. Matt Ryan cannot continue to miss throws and put the ball in harm’s way

Since Atlanta beat the New Orleans Saints Matt Ryan hasn’t played his best football. That trend continued even in a win over the Carolina Panthers. Ryan often put the ball in harm’s way early in the game and missed a wide-open deep shot to Tajae Sharpe.

While his mistakes didn’t change the course of the game they have to stop. San Francisco is far too talented to miss the opportunities the Carolina defense did on Sunday.

Ryan is behind a terrible offensive line and has very few options when it comes to playmakers. Still, Ryan must take responsibility for his own play and elevate it back to the level Atlanta fans are used to seeing.

A clean game from Matt Ryan will go a long way to put Atlanta in a position to pull off the upset.  Ryan cannot afford to force any throws in this game, take what the defense gives you and check down the ball trusting your play calling and run game.  Ryan has to realize he no longer has elite weapons on the outside and is going to have to slowly get the ball down the field checking it down and working inside the numbers.