Atlanta Falcons: Studs and duds vs. Buccaneers in Week 12

Stud: Russell Gage

With Atlanta shorthanded in the contest, while already being without tight end target Austin Hooper within things offensive while he battles back from a knee injury, the Falcons have been looking for another player to step up to join Julio Jones within the flow of things in the passing attack.

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On Sunday, Russell Gage was that player that was able to perform well for Atlanta, proving to be a solid target through the air in the loss. Gage finished with 76 yards receiving on eight receptions and 10 overall targets.

It will be interesting to see if Gage will continue to be an option and a threat for Atlanta moving forward in the coming weeks.

Dud: Matt Ryan

Matt Ryan struggled throughout the course of the game, not really being able to get into a flow of things within the passing game to help lift the Falcons.

Ryan managed to finish with 23 completions out of his overall 46 pass attempts, tallying a total of 271 yards passing through the air while failing to throw for a touchdown pass in the defeat. Ryan also threw one interception and fumbled twice in the contest.

For Atlanta to come out on top in any given game, it needs much better play out of its veteran quarterback under center.