All eyes are on Matt Ryan. The Atlanta Falcons turned out another disappointing game in Week 12 as they fell to the Minnesota Vikings and everyone is looking at the quarterback for blame. Ryan is not having the season he was hoping to have as interceptions and inconsistencies suddenly become the new norm for him. As questions begin to be raised over whether or not he should see the bench in Week 13, everyone is coming to the quarterback's defense.
Ryan finished the game against the Vikings going 22-of-32 for 230 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. With the postseason quickly disappearing for the team that started the season 5-0, the Falcons need a spark and Ryan is not giving it to them. The quarterback has made it clear that he is not injured, so what is the issue. With little depth behind him, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com reports the Falcons have no interest in making a change at the quarterback spot as everyone defended Ryan's struggles.
"He's absolutely the competitor that I want. He's what we look for and our team looks for the whole way," Ryan said, via ESPN.com. "What we'll go back and look at is, find out was there a decision that could be made that could be different. If there is in those scenarios, then we'll find those and say, 'Where else could you have gone with it?' Those will be decisions that we look at. But for him, the competitor [and] the style of player that he is, we're not backing off.''
There is no question that Ryan is the franchise quarterback of the Falcons, but he certainly is not playing like it as the losing continues for the team. Could injuries be an issue with other players? The Falcons were without Devonta Freeman in Week 12, but expect the running back to return in Week 13 after getting cleared from a concussion. Tevin Coleman started in his place and put up 110 yards on 18 carries, but it was the one fumble he will be remembered for.
Leonard Hankerson has also been out with a hamstring injury. In his place, Roddy White and Jacob Tamme has been very productive on the field. At this point it is simply unclear what the issues are with the Falcons' offense. It is hard not to blame anyone other than Ryan considering he has thrown multiple interceptions for the fifth time this season. The quarterback understands that the losing starts with him as the Falcons desperately need him to improve quickly.
"It's starts with me,'' Ryan said, via ESPN.com. "I've got to be better in terms of decision-making and knowing when to throw the ball away, cut our losses and kick the field goal. But we've got to really look in the mirror hard Monday and Tuesday before we get onto the practice field Wednesday and see what we can do differently to stop that from happening. For me, it starts with making great decisions, and I didn't do a good job of that.''
