Atlanta Falcons: Studs and duds vs. Buccaneers in Week 17

Stud: Matt Ryan

Matt Ryan finished the 2019 campaign by completing yet another 300-plus yard passing performance to help boost Atlanta to a victory on the road to wrap up the year. In the win, the veteran quarterback completed 30 of his overall 51 pass attempts, totaling 313 yards passing and one passing touchdown through the air to lead his team.

Perhaps the biggest plus when it comes to Ryan in the victory was the fact that he didn’t throw an interception and steered clear from making any mistakes for the most part on his end of things to help lead the Atlanta offensive unit.

It was a year of ups and downs for Ryan in Atlanta, but he was able to end the 2019 campaign on a positive note in Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Dud: Missing the postseason

Although Atlanta missing the postseason wasn’t officially decided in Week 17 and the Falcons were eliminated from playoff contention earlier in the regular season, the fact that their season is now coming to a close and they won’t be playing for a chance to win a Super Bowl title this year is disappointing.

While finishing the year with a record of 7-9 overall and now having ended the year winners of four straight games, Atlanta was able to end the year on somewhat of a positive note despite its horrible start in the opening half of the regular season.

While missing the playoffs in 2019, Atlanta missing the postseason marks the second straight year that the Falcons will miss the playoffs after having made two deep playoff runs in both 2016 and 2017.

The 2020 season will be one where Atlanta will look to end that two-year hiatus and the preparation for that season officially kicks off now for the Falcons.