Five Thoughts on the 4-3 Falcons

1. Is something wrong with Matt Ryan? At times this season, he has looked mortal, but I was willing to blame his issues on a running game that was failing to take pressure off of him. Last night, with the running game humming and playing against a defense that is certainly exploitable, Ryan did not have a very good game. In his defense, the pass blocking was not very good last night. Ryan was rushed right down to the last play, when he had to heave a hail mary off his back foot before his receivers were downfield. Will Smith basically set up shop in the Falcons' backfield. The line should be better when the teams play in Atlanta because they'll be able to hear the signals and they won't concede the first step to the pass rushers on every down. Speaking of home/road issues, I recommend Football Outsiders' analysis of the large gap between Ryan's performances at the Georgia Dome and elsewhere.Most NFL quarterbacks play a bit better at their home venues. The NFL ave...