:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50931945/607567962.0.jpg)
Atlanta earned a critical road victory against Oakland and avoided falling to 0-2. Overall, the team looked much better in the win, but there are still some areas that need improvement.
Still, the NFL is a results-driven business and the Falcons took care of business to gain the well-deserved victory.
Next on the docket is a trip to New Orleans, which is always a tough game, but before we look ahead, let’s take a second to highlight on thing fans should be celebrating and one reason for concern.
One thing to celebrate: Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan wasn’t the most popular player heading into the season, but he wasn’t the least popular either. Many fans like to argue over Ryan’s ability as a quarterback, making him the polarizing, Batman v Superman figure of the Falcons’ roster.
Through two weeks, however, Ryan has taken over the debate in a resounding way. He is currently ESPN’s highest-rated quarterback, with a passer rating of 121.4. Ryan completed 26 of his 34 passes for 396 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. He is currently second in the NFL in completion percentage and passing yards, with 72.6 percent and 730 yards, respectively, and tied for second with five touchdown passes.
Also, DEEP BALLZ.
It’s still early in the season, but so far, Matt Ryan looks more like the quarterback who helped Atlanta reach the playoffs so often in the past than the one who hurt his team last year.
One thing to worry about: Pass rush
This is clearly the biggest issue for Atlanta, and has been since William Sherman marched into the city in 1864 and took all of the good pass rushers with him.
Vic Beasley technically sacked Derek Carr on Saturday, when he moved him off his spot and all the way to the sideline. It counts, and we’ll take it, but we shouldn’t be happy about it. The Falcons need to find ways to disrupt the quarterback, and it needs to begin with Drew “Falcon Surgeon” Brees.
I could write more about this topic, but it’s honestly just getting old at this point. You know it needs to be fixed, I know it needs to be fixed, Arthur Blank knows it needs to be fixed, future generations of Falcons fans know it needs to be fixed. You get the idea, this needs to be fixed.