Atlanta Falcons

Breeeeeen

As a Falcons fan, I have to completely disagree with you. In that game there were 12 rushing attempts, and 52 passing attempts. At the start when the running game was still part of the plan the sides looked evenly matched, as the game loaded onto the pass it fell apart. In the first match up of the season, a much more competitive affair, the plays were 50/50. When Atlanta have a balanced play book they are a better team. They are too quick to abandon the run.

The problem with Atlanta all season is that the offense has skewed towards the pass. If QBs in the NFL are in five categories (passer +, passer, game manager +, game manager, bust) Matt Ryan straddles the bottom of the second and top of the third category. A QB of that calibre should not be asked to air it out 40+ times a game as has been the case all season. The Falcons game plan all season looks like an attempt to justify the draft of Julio Jones (a very good receiver admittedly). This is a mistake. The analogy might be what happens to a soccer team when they put Peter Crouch up front, a predictable mode of attack ensues.

Turner seems to be the only RB allowed to touch the ball with Rodgers and Snelling barely getting a look in. Mughelli usually gets some carries as FB but is out injured which doesn't help. The defense is slowly improving but still nowhere near good enough. Four seasons in there is probably little upside left in Ryan's game, it's about time it is recognised he is not, and almost certainly will never be an elite QB, and that an offensive game plan based on balance, with continuing development and investment in defense, is the best chance of success for the team.