Week 9 QB projections • ATL Stats
QB Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
HT: 6-4, WT: 228, Born: 5-17-1985, College: Boston College, Drafted: Round 1, Pick 3
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Stats and Week 9 Projection
| WK | OPP | RES | CMP | ATT | PYD | Y/A | PTD | INT | RSH | YD | Y/R | TD | FPT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | vs CHI | W, 21-14 | 19 | 33 | 185 | 5.6 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 2.7 | 0 | 16 |
| 7 | at DAL | L, 21-37 | 19 | 35 | 198 | 5.7 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 6.0 | 0 | 17 |
| 8 | at NO | L, 27-35 | 19 | 42 | 289 | 6.9 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 3.0 | 0 | 14 |
| SEASON TOTAL | 139 | 233 | 1649 | 7.1 | 12 | 9 | 15 | 24 | 1.6 | 1 | 133 | ||
| 9 | vs WAS | PROJ | 20 | 31 | 222 | 7.2 | 1.3 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 3.7 | 0.1 | 17 |
Week 9 Injury Status and Other News
He was not listed on Friday's official injury report. Opinion (from The Upgrade/Downgrade/Waiver Report): Matt Ryan is a terrific young quarterback and his performance against the Saints illustrated why the adjectives terrific and young sometimes don't go together. The terrific part came with Ryan's ability to make strong down field throws that included a 68-yard bomb on 2nd and 20 to Roddy White for the score and a pinpoint out route on the run to Michael Jenkins late in the game to keep Atlanta's chances alive. The young part had to do with Ryan's difficulty coping with a blitz consistently enough to make winning plays. Ryan was sacked four times in this game and three of those negative plays were the result of Ryan trying to break the pocket up the middle when there was no crease available. All three plays were hasty decisions where there was far more space to get outside the pocket and either throw the ball away for wait for a receiver to get open. These plays were worse than his two interceptions where one of them was the result of LB Jonathan Vilma cutting off the path of receiver Roddy White on a quick slant that could have been deemed an illegal contact penalty and the other was the result of a tipped pass by Vilma late in the game. Ryan will get fantasy owners yardage and a touchdown or two, but this is the third game I've seen Ryan lose his poise when pressured consistently and make mistakes. He's not a guaranteed starter as much as a strong match up play. Opinion (from The Upgrade/Downgrade/Waiver Report): Matt Ryan is a terrific young quarterback and his performance against the Saints illustrated why the adjectives terrific and young sometimes don't go together. The terrific part came with Ryan's ability to make strong down field throws that included a 68-yard bomb on 2nd and 20 to Roddy White for the score and a pinpoint out route on the run to Michael Jenkins late in the game to keep Atlanta's chances alive. The young part had to do with Ryan's difficulty coping with a blitz consistently enough to make winning plays. Ryan was sacked four times in this game and three of those negative plays were the result of Ryan trying to break the pocket up the middle when there was no crease available. All three plays were hasty decisions where there was far more space to get outside the pocket and either throw the ball away for wait for a receiver to get open. These plays were worse than his two interceptions where one of them was the result of LB Jonathan Vilma cutting off the path of receiver Roddy White on a quick slant that could have been deemed an illegal contact penalty and the other was the result of a tipped pass by Vilma late in the game. Ryan will get fantasy owners yardage and a touchdown or two, but this is the third game I've seen Ryan lose his poise when pressured consistently and make mistakes. He's not a guaranteed starter as much as a strong match up play.Week 9 Matchup Info
vs Washington Redskins (Tough matchup) - Matt Ryan has seven interceptions thrown and five TDs to his credit over the past three weeks - his team has won just one game during that span of time. Most recently, Ryan threw 19/42 for 289 yards, one TD and three interceptions vs. New Orleans in the big divisional showdown in New Orleans - he's been off-balance of late. As usual, Roddy White (13 targets for 4/108/1 vs. New Orleans) and Tony Gonzalez (9 targets for 6/89/0 receiving) led the team in this phase, while Michael Jenkins contributed 4/66/0 out of his nine chances - Jenkins had a critical, drive-killing drop, though, and wasn't sharp overall on Monday night. Obviously, there are some serious problems developing in Atlanta - for one thing, the offensive line gave up another three sacks and six hits on the QB last week one week after Dallas shattered their air of invulnerability with four sacks and three other QB hits. The Falcons' pass protection needs to improve in a hurry, friends.The Redskins' are currently tied for seventh in the NFL with 18 sacks generated to date - they average just 164.9 net passing yards allowed per contest, with just six pass TDs given up over seven contests. The one area in which the Washington unit is lacking is interceptions - they are tied for last in the league with only three so far this year. Donovan McNabb and Mike Vick were held to 16/26 for 140 net yards, one TD and zero interceptions two weeks ago - Matt Cassel managed 16/31 for 158 net yards, zero TDs and zero interceptions in the game prior. The Redskins' pass defense is the best part of this entire team.
Ryan and company are in a downturn right now, and they will have to fight hard to improve this week against the sack-happy, shut-down pass D that Washington brings to this dance. Advantage, Washington.
Game Summaries
Week 1 vs MIA - Ryan spread the ball among his receivers very well in this game. Although Tony Gonzalez and Roddy White got their share of looks, Michael Jenkins was often his first option and he checked down frequently to Jerious Norwood. Even FB Ovie Mughelli was used in key situations. That said, Ryan was inaccurate on down field throws all day. He under threw a wide-open Roddy White in the first quarter, who had turned around Dolphins' rookie CB Sean Smith on a deep post. He under threw Jenkins in the second quarter and then overthrew a wide-open Jerious Norwood on a wheel route in the closing seconds of the half. Combine these with another under-thrown bomb to Roddy White who beat bracketed coverage down the left hash in the third quarter, and three of these four routes should have been touchdowns and all four were throws to the left side of the field more than 15 yards past the line of scrimmage. Despite his issues down field, he made only one ill advised throw all game and managed the offense like a veteran.Week 2 vs CAR - It was another day at the office for Matt Ryan, who rarely faced pressure, and pretty much got to do what he pleased in the pocket against the Panthers. Ryan didn't throw any of his deep ball lollipops, but he didn't need to against Carolina. He was executing well on timing passes, surveying the field calmly, and mostly making very good decisions. Ryan's one interception came when he stared down Marty Booker in the middle of the field, allowing Richard Marshall to jump the pass, but he also dropped the ball in perfectly between a linebacker and safety on Tony Gonzalez's TD, and he made a real nice read on the checkdown to Jason Snelling that resulted in another one of his three TDs. With defenses gearing up to stop Michael Turner and great pass-blocking from his line, Ryan is getting very comfortable in this passing offense.
Week 3 at NE - Ryan drove the team right down the field on his first drive for a field goal, and led the Falcons to a TD on his third drive, but the rest of time, he struggled to find open receivers and convert on his bread and butter plays to Roddy White outside and Tony Gonzalez in the middle of the field. Ryan honed in on Michael Jenkins, but Jenkins wasn't getting open downfield enough to punish the Patriots for focusing attention on White and Gonzalez. Michael Turner didn't break off any long runs to loosen up the D, and Ryan didn't make any individual plays to overcome the good game plan. You can't say Ryan or the Falcons offense played badly as much as you can say the Pats defense had a very nice game.
Week 5 at SF - Ryan dissected the 49ers defense in a Manning/Brady/Brees-esque surgical performance. He was given a lot of time to survey the field by his offensive line, and he used it to see the field with clarity and make smart decisions and accurate throws. Ryan hooked up with Roddy White a lot early in the contest, including a deep TD where Ryan led White to the open part of the end zone with ease, and a quick throw that White turned into a 90-yard catch and run TD. Ryan was patient, and his execution and timing were precise on all but a handful of plays. His one interception came when the umpire disrupted Roddy White's crossing route, but Ryan hustled downfield to make a fumble recovery when White caught Dre Bly from behind. Ryan scoring a rushing TD when a rollout was called on 1st and goal at the one and nothing came open in the end zone. Ryan performed very well, but the 49ers defense seemed to lose their fight when the Falcons opened up a lead in the second quarter.
Week 6 vs CHI - Despite having a bit of an off night Matt Ryan was able to lead his team to victory over the Bears on Sunday night. Early in the game the Bears pass rush was able to get to Ryan causing him to overthrow his receivers. The Falcons staff realized this and adjusted on the fly going to a no-huddle offense in the 2nd quarter. Ryan then led his team on two TD drives, the first on a short pass to Roddy White that White was able to take 40yds to the house and then later on a 10 yard strike over the middle to Tony Gonzalez. Ryan threw a couple of 2nd half INT's both caused by the Bears pressuring him, leading Ryan to overthrowing his receivers down field. However with the game on the line Ryan was able to lead his squad to a game winning TD. Overall an asymmetrical performance from the 2nd year signal caller.
Week 7 at DAL - Ryan started out very sharp with the timing based short passing game moving the chains, but the Cowboys blitzes and pressure soon got to him, and Ryan never really got comfortable for the rest of the game. He did hit Roddy White on an out close in for the Falcons first TD, and the Falcons did call a flea flicker early, but the Cowboys pressure and good coverage downfield kept it from producing a big play. Ryan threw his first interception with Mike Jenkins left Michael Jenkins and jumped a Roddy White route, and his second happened on an ill-advised throw into double coverage during a desperation attempt to come back. Ryan also gave up the ball on an all-out blitz that ended a drive into Cowboy territory. His second TD was a 4th and 10 throw to a receiver that the Cowboys forgot to cover in garbage time. Ryan did move around and keep his eyes downfield well when he could elude the pressure, but nothing seemed to come open downfield. It was a combination of a lack of special, inspired plays by the Falcons offense, and a great job dialing up blitzes and keeping Ryan off balance that led to mediocre day for the Falcons passing game.
Week 8 at NO - Ryan had a rough night. He was under pressure for the entire game, and he never seemed to get completely comfortable in the pocket. He was uncharacteristically off on many of his throws, broke the pocket too early at times, and even felt pressure when it wasn't there. Ryan's interceptions were on a play that he didn't read Jabari Greer, who peeled off of his man when he diagnosed the play, a tremendous tipped pass by Jon Vilma in the red zone when the Falcons were about to take the lead, and a hail mary at the end of the game. Ryan looked his best on timing throws to Roddy White. His long TD to White was underthrown, but White's physical game took over and he made the catch and run for the TD. It is a testament to Ryan that he had the team in position to win despite being off his game.
