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Top 10 Super Bowl-less second tier quarterbacks that can still win one

By FanSided Staff

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Dec 14, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) leaves the field at the end of the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Georgia Dome. The Steelers defeated the Falcons 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) leaves the field at the end of the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Georgia Dome. The Steelers defeated the Falcons 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Matt Ryan

Three seasons ago, a Matt Ryan led Atlanta Falcons team was 13-3 and an NFC title runner-up. Since then, the Falcons have won a total of ten games. However, this is hardly Matt Ryan’s fault. How can you blame a quarterback whose team has been so crippled by injuries that it’s amazing they were able to field a team.

While the Falcons did regain many of their key pieces before the end of last season, they still only finished 6-10. Perhaps the worst part of this disappointing season is that the talent is there. Julio Jones is a top five wide receiver when healthy, and Matt Ryan is a poor man’s Tom Brady when his star wide receiver is on the field.

Ryan has averaged above a 66 percent completion rate each of the last three years. He also has thrown for over 4,500 yards for three consecutive years. He definitely has the ability to go far in the playoffs. All the Falcons need to do is build around what they already have.

Unlike some of the young guys on this list, Ryan doesn’t really have much to improve on. He is now a seven year veteran in the NFL, and the Falcons should utilize his best attributes better. For one, they need to supply Ryan with a defense that can stop the run game. They allowed 1,894 rushing yards last year which was in the lower third for run defenses in the NFL. They also allowed 26.1 point per game, which was 6th worst in the NFL.

If the Falcons fix their defense and Julio Jones stays healthy, Matt Ryan is certainly a quarterback who can win his team a Super Bowl. He isn’t going to put up 30 points a game. But he can control the game and put Jones in a position to do what he does best- make plays. If this all falls into place, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Atlanta Falcons back in the NFC title game and maybe the Super Bowl quite soon.

Next: Matthew Stafford

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