Matt Ryan needs to improve and he knows it. The quarterback has not looked himself over the last stretch of games as the offense has averaged just 16.7 points over the past four games with three losses in that time frame. The quarterback is shouldering plenty of the blame with interceptions and fumbles becoming a big issue. Heading into a critical game against the Indianapolis Colts, Ryan is hoping to up the tempo in order to avoid mistakes and get more points on the board.
According to Ryan via 680 The Fan in Atlanta, one of the ways the Falcons are going to try and reduce mistakes is by running more of a no-huddle offense. Ryan told the radio station that he feels very comfortable with that game plan and believes it could really help the Falcons get moving in a positive direction.
"Whether if it's protecting the football or turning it the football over. Whether if it's procedural penalties ... those things get you off schedule very quickly," Ryan said, via 680 The Fan. "I think that's something that we haven't done really well, probably over the past four or five weeks. Hopefully, that's something we'll do a lot better. Certainly, defenses will make adjustments and give us some different looks. I always like to look in the mirror. I think it's on us and what we do."
Ryan has made sure to take the blame for the recent struggles of the Falcons while players come to his defense. Both Roddy White and Julio Jones have defended the quarterback play simply saying that it is a team issue and not on one person. The Falcons will have a chance to turn things around as they come out of the bye week with a healthy roster. According to Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com, the Falcons will have Leonard Hankerson back on the field as the receiver quickly developed into one of Ryan's favorite targets to work with. The biggest need for the Falcons could be getting White more involved, something he says he is done complaining about.
"I always feel like I'm an important part of this team," White said, via ESPN.com. "Being a leader on this team and being in this organization for this is my 11th year, it's just certain parts of the season that we need guys to lean on. This is one of those times where I've got to go out there and just be a leader for this team and this organization and settle everything down."
The Falcons hold a two-game lead for the NFC Wildcard spot. Another loss and a Seattle win could greatly turn that the other direction. Coming out of the bye week, the Falcons must begin to turn things around or risk another disappointing year.