Fantasy Football Week 16 Start or Sit: Matt Ryan

I think there’s a predisposition for people that Matt Ryan is having an average year because of the mediocrity his Atlanta Falcons represent as a potential sub-.500 team winning their division. But “Matty Ice” has been a top 10 performer for much of the season, and as his moniker suggests, he’s quite the performer down the stretch. This week is definitely part of the stretch, as he’ll be taking on division rival New Orleans Saints in Week 16.

Against the Saints, Ryan has proven to be a very effective player — especially at the Superdome, surprisingly. The great advantage the Superdome gives the Saints seems to just feed Ryan. In his last three visits there, he’s passed for eight touchdowns and surpassed 400 passing yards twice. That’s quite impressive when comparing his last three home marks against the Saints: 4 TDs and his highest yardage being 292 yards.

Whatever it is, Ryan is an anomaly in New Orleans. He’s heading there this week as a top 10 QB, and aside from his slew of single TD performances in mid-season, he’s really been a top-five performer. Ryan has thrown for three or more touchdowns four times this season. In his last four performances, he’s consistently had at least two touchdowns — including an impressive four touchdown outing at Lambeau (which is arguably tougher than the Superdome.)

All that being said, if you have Ryan sitting in your lineup, it’s about time you make the switch. Expect Matty Ice to have a nice three touchdown performance and at least 350 yards to zero interceptions against one of the league’s worst pass defenses.