Atlanta Falcons: Why Matt Ryan Will Have the Best Offense in the NFC

The Atlanta Falcons posted an NFC-best 13-3 record last season behind one of the newest emerging stars in the NFL, Matt Ryan.

Ryan has quickly established himself as one of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL and is only going to build off of his short career. In the 2011 season, look for the Falcons to have the best offense in the NFC.

Here are the reasons why.

5. Tony Gonzalez

Tony Gonzalez is arguably the best tight end to ever step on the field in NFL history. In his long and illustrious career, he has done nothing else but produce on the field.

His production has slightly declined since he came to Atlanta, but I do not see him slowing down much more.

Matt Ryan has made Gonzalez one of his top targets and a centerpiece in the Falcons' offense. Gonzalez with have another typical year and will be one of the most productive tight ends in the NFL.

4. An Underrated Offensive Line

The Falcons' offensive line over the years has not been a strong point. Between injuries and flopped draft picks, the line has failed to become a solid unit.

That is, until the past couple of years.

The Falcons drafted left tackle Sam Baker a few years ago, and he has developed into a starter. Although the Falcons lost Harvey Dahl to free agency, they have managed to keep the rest of the line fairly intact.

3. Michael Turner

Ever since the Falcons acquired Michael Turner from San Diego a few years back, he has done nothing but impress.

Once a backup for all-time great LaDainian Tomlinson, Turner has shown that he can carry the load for the Falcons.

Expect Turner to have another great year and make the Falcons offense two-dimensional. Turner will make the Pro Bowl team and lead the NFC South in rushing this year.

2. Matt Ryan

Before we know it, Matt Ryan will be in the same conversation as Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. He will lead the Falcons to the Super Bowl one day.

Ryan has come into the NFL and done everything the Falcons have asked of him.

Expect Ryan to continue developing into the quarterback that we all know he can be. He will have the best year of his career and lead the Falcons to the best record in the NFC for the second year in a row.

1. The Wide Receiving Corps

During the 2011 NFL draft, the Falcons made the biggest draft-day move by trading away most of their picks to select Julio Jones.

Jones is a physical freak and is expected to start right away alongside Roddy White, which will take pressure off of White. 

White is currently one of the top receivers in the NFL. Few receivers posted better statistics than he did last season and he has finally come into his own these past couple of years.

Expect White and Jones to literally run up and down the field with relative ease as they both go for over 1,000 yards.