Matt Ryan’s 2016 NFL season was incredible. He won NFL MVP and guided the Atlanta Falcons to their second trip to the Super Bowl in franchise. While the results didn’t turn out in Atlanta’s favor in Houston, Ryan’s Falcons should be a serious contender to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis.
Ryan benefited from a historically dominant Kyle Shanahan offense. Shanahan now leads the San Francisco 49ers, but most of the Falcons’ offensive personnel remains in Flowery Branch for another season. He may not win MVP again, but Ryan is now in his prime as a passer.
In 2016, Ryan completed 69.9 percent of his passes for 4,944 yards, 38 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Ryan has always been an accurate passer since coming out of Boston College in 2008, but found ways to improve his game in his early 30s.
He made himself more mobile, making throws into tight windows on play-action bootlegs. Most importantly, Ryan’s arm strength improved in his ninth year in the league. It’s not elite, but his yards per attempt of 9.3 was otherworldly.
Ryan will have his opportunities to avenge his painful Super Bowl loss to Tom Brady’s New England Patriots these next few years. He won’t be better than he was last season, but an improved Falcons defense makes them a dangerous team for the rest of the decade in the NFC.