Atlanta Falcons: 5 Reasons Matt Ryan and Co. Can Still Win NFC South
The Atlanta Falcons were the story of the NFL last season.
After going 13-3 and dominating the NFC, they took their bye week in stride and were set to face the red-hot Green Bay Packers.
Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the Cheese Heads carved up the Falcons defense and made Ryan look like a deer in the headlights.
After an absolute thrashing at the hands of Green Bay, many expected the Falcons to come into the season looking for blood, for vengeance.
They started off just the opposite, stumbling, not running out of the gate as they were blown out 30-12 in their season opener and continued to fall to 2-3 on the season.
The Falcons Are Finally Hitting Their Stride
1 of 5Last week they beat an impressive Detroit Lions team, giving them their second loss of the season. The week before they beat Cam Newton and a young Panthers squad that is playing very well.
A major reason for their new found success is the re-establishment of Michael Turner in the running game after his usage took a hit entering the season.
He's rushed for over 100 yards in the last two games and received more than 20 carries in each outing. His bowling ball style of running has the Falcons offense back on track and finally winning games.
The Falcons Are the Most Balanced Team in the Division
2 of 5Sorry New Orleans and Tampa Bay, but it's the truth.
No team, maybe even in the entire NFC, has a better quarterback-receiver-running back combo. Ryan, White, Jones, Gonzalez and Turner create an ultra deep fire-powered lineup that can move the ball down the field with ease.
They have the most established running game in the division and the best crop of receivers and tight ends, which only the Saints could reasonably rival.
Matt Ryan is about as efficient as it gets, and assuming he looks down the field a little bit more with a healthy Julio Jones, he will continue to develop into one of the most dominant young quarterbacks in the league.
Matt Ryan Is Clutch
3 of 5No matter how talented, precise and efficient Ryan is, the main thing is that he will win games.
When the game is on the line, you want the ball in Matt Ryan's hands. The Falcons went 7-1 in games decided by a touchdown or less last season, and Ryan orchestrating clutch drives is a monumental reason that stat stands.
He has a penchant for getting it done when it counts, and although he can't throw the ball further than every quarterback in the league, he can get it done when it matters just as well as the best of them.
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Atlanta Is Finally Getting Pressure on the Quarterback
4 of 5The Falcons knew they needed a pass-rusher opposite John Abraham coming into the season, and that is exactly what they got with Ray Edwards, a strong defensive lineman who has the ability to record over 10 sacks a season.
His presence has helped Atlanta force more pressure on opposing quarterbacks and has given the Falcon defense a whole new dimension.
They Force Turnovers
5 of 5The Atlanta Falcons have the longest ongoing streak of consecutive games forcing turnovers.
The streak now stands at 26 games, and cornerback Brent Grimes and safety Thomas DeCoud are huge reasons for this sustained disruption of opposing offensives.
Grimes has a vertical leap that rivals Calvin Johnson's, as shown when he out-jumped him to disrupt a pass last week.
Grimes athleticism gives the ability to make plays in the air and his perfect timing aids his capabilities.
So long as the Falcons continue to force turnovers and pressure the quarterback, they'll win games—assuming Ryan and the offense do what they've been doing since Mike Mularkey's arrival.
Winning games means a better record, and with the Saints falling to the Rams today, the Falcons just have to keep doing what they're doing in order to take home the NFC South title.
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