Redskins Reality Checks: Realistic predictions for Week 9 vs. Falcons
By Tim Payne
1. Reality Is, Matt Ryan is not Eli Manning.
The Redskins face a legitimate threat at the quarterback position this week. Unlike Eli Manning, Matt Ryan is playing at a high level this season. With 15 touchdowns and only two Interceptions to go with over 2,300 passing yards already this season, Ryan is playing at a level very similar to his MVP season in 2016.
Ryan is completing over 71 percent of his passes for an average of 8.88 yards per completion, and he’s managing to balance accuracy with aggressiveness. The one similarity between Manning and Ryan is that neither is particularly mobile. Unlike Manning, however, Ryan can be tough to bring down. The Redskins need to find a way to get Ryan on the ground consistently and disrupt his timing, especially on play-action plays, or he will torch them.
Don’t expect Matt Ryan to be sacked seven times this week. Don’t expect Ryan to throw two picks either.
Prediction: Ryan will get his yards, but will look about as uncomfortable as he has all season. The Redskins will manage to keep the Falcons out of the end zone on most drives, leading to a big day for Matt Bryant (or Giorgio Tavecchio if Bryant can’t go). Ryan passes for 342 yards, going 37-of-52, but only notches one score.