A month ago Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan went for 235 yards and a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Josh Freeman countered with 189 yards and two scores, but two interceptions as well. With this week’s game in Raymond James instead of the Georgia Dome, Freeman should be able to avoid completing only 50 percent of his passes, but will Ryan take a dive?
You’d think Ryan’s home-road splits would be pretty distinguishable, based on his much-hyped home winning record, and you’d be right. His completion percentage, touchdown-to-interception ratio, yards per attempt, and yards per game are all much better at home. But consider the competition he’s faced on the road this year. His poorest fantasy output this year came in week one against the Pittsburgh Steelers — while the Bucs young D is improving, they’re not at that level yet. As long as Roddy White is around, start Ryan.
Last year Freeman diced up the Falcons secondary in Atlanta, going 20 of 29 with two touchdowns, but got picked off twice by the Birds in Tampa. Since he’s only thrown two interceptions in his last seven games, both of them to the Falcons, it’s hard to be all that emphatic about starting him.