After an extremely rocky, turnover laden 2015 NFL Season, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has experienced an incredible bounce back year in 2016. Through only ten games, Ryan already has three more touchdowns than he had in all of 2015, and has seen his average yards per pass attempt rise to a career high 9.38. Ryan has experienced career highs in almost every major statistical category, including Total QBR and quarterback rating. With the Falcons riding high at the top of the NFC South, it is time to start taking Matt Ryan seriously as an MVP candidate.
The MVP Case for Matt Ryan
Statistics
The requirements for the MVP Award revolve around several ideas: being on a winning team, having a great statistical season, and proving to be a vital member of their team that is irreplaceable. Ryan is on the NFC South leading Falcons with a record of 5-4, and the Falcons would be a far cry from the great offensive team they are without “Matty
Ice”. The biggest requirement of the three that Ryan has shown thus far is the statistical factor of the award. Ryan leads the league in passing yards, is fourth in completion percentage, second in yards per pass attempt, and tied for first in passing touchdowns. With such phenomenal statistics, the only other quarterback that can compete in this category is Tom Brady, who has had yet another MVP-caliber season thus far.
What is also impressive is how Ryan has gotten everyone in the Falcons offense involved each game. Thus far, nine players have over 100 receiving yards on the season, with four surpassing 300 yards. Even more impressive, 11 players have caught a touchdown pass from Ryan, with the lone exception of players with at least one reception being third-string running back Terron Ward. Ryan has been superb at protecting the football as well, and has an interception percentage of only 1.4%. In addition, fewer drives have stalled out in the red zone this season, and far more drives are ending in touchdowns than they did in 2015. On the basis of statistics alone, Ryan certainly is deserving of the MVP Award.
Other Candidates
As mentioned earlier, the other quarterback with equal statistical achievements to Ryan is Tom Brady of the New England Patriots. Brady is adding yet another phenomenal season to his Hall of Fame resume, and should certainly receive his fair share of MVP votes. Other quarterbacks such as the Oakland Raiders Derek Carr and the Dallas Cowboys Dak Prescott have also experienced phenomenal seasons, and have led their respective teams to the top of their divisions. Moving away from the quarterback position, Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has had an unbelievable rookie campaign, but he and Prescott will likely split any MVP votes coming their way.
When it comes down to it, the only threats to Ryan for the MVP Award come in Carr and Brady. Depending on the success of the Raiders and Patriots, Ryan may be on the outside looking in for the award. However, if either the Raiders or Patriots begin to struggle and the Falcons finish among the top teams in the AFC, Ryan could very well become the front runner for the award and walk away with it come February.
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