Matt Ryan: Most Valuable Player
Dan Quinn deserves a lot of praise to bounce back from last year’s disappointment with a 7-2 record at the mid-way point of the season. Better yet, no player has reaped the benefits best than Matt Ryan. Kyle Shannahan is playing to the strengths of the Atlanta Falcons, utilizing their skilled running backs and bootlegs for Ryan to throw it to Julio Jones.
Falcons did lose to the San Diego Chargers two weeks ago at home after a questionable call from Quinn, but that move does not take away from their success as a whole. Ryan is not a scrambler quarterback, but can make plays in the pocket to avoid pressure from the middle or the edge. Quinn is forming the Atlanta defense into a threat, but the best thing he could have done is protect Ryan.
During the offseason, the Falcon acquired Alex Mack from the Cleveland Browns. Mack is a multi-attendee to a Pro Bowl and one of the best centers in the NFL. This move alone instilled confidence to Ryan, Shannahan and the offense to perform better for a full season. Ryan has a full compliment of weapons in Devontae Freeman, Tevin Coleman and Julio Jones. All three are matchup problems for any defense to cover and Matt Ryan is the midway point MVP for his performance.