The Atlanta Falcons have been led by quarterback Matt Ryan since the team drafted him in 2008. He has put up solid statistics for the Falcons over those seven years with the team. However, his lack of playoff success and inability to get his team over the hump has many people questioning his abilities. The season may be a make-or-break season for the veteran.

Ryan threw for 4,694 passing yards and 28 touchdowns with 14 interceptions a year ago. This would be a solid year for any quarterback, but the problem for the Falcons was they had a 6-10 record. The NFC South was really weak last season and only required an 8-8 record to make the playoffs, yet the Falcons still fell short. Naturally, the blame falls upon Ryan even though it was not his fault.

In order to get to the playoffs this year, Ryan will have to rely on his top two targets again. Receivers Julio Jones and Roddy White have been constant passing options when they are healthy and create one of the best receiving duos in the NFL. Combined, the two accounted for over 50 percent of the team’s receiving yards last season, but other than those two, Ryan’s passing options are limited.

Harry Douglas left the team and joined the Tennessee Titans. The team still has Devin Hester, but his effectiveness has always been as a punt or kickoff returner. The team added Leonard Hankerson, but he has yet to prove he deserves to be a NFL receiver after lackluster seasons with the Washington Redskins. To add to Ryan’s concerns, he will have to adjust to a new offensive coordinator.

Kyle Shanahan replaced Dirk Koetter as the offensive coordinator after Koetter left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Ryan had the most productive seasons of his career with Koetter, while Shanahan has a lot to prove. His track record involves the Robert Griffin III and Johnny Manziel fiascoes. It is hard to envision a good outcome from this Shanahan and Ryan pairing.

There is no question Ryan has the skills to be an NFL quarterback. He can make every throw and can be clutch in the last minutes of a game. However, he still needs to prove he is an elite quarterback, and the only way he can do this is by winning in the playoffs. Unfortunately, the Falcons might not be good enough to make the postseason. Ryan will likely have another solid season but his team will finish around an 8-8 record.