Power Ranking the NFL’s 10 Best Quarterbacks

6. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons 

While the Atlanta Falcons fell short of their ultimate goal, Matt Ryan came up big and performed very well for the Falcons in 2012.

Atlanta finished 13-3, largely due to the success of their quarterback. Ryan threw 32 touchdowns, and while he was intercepted 14 times, five came in one terrible game, in which the Falcons won. Ryan threw six playoff touchdowns, and he carved up a stellar 49ers defense for 396 passing yards in the NFC Championship.

Ryan appears to have shredded his label of being unable to perform in the postseason, and while the Falcons failed to win it all, they had a great year and Ryan put them in a position to succeed. Ryan’s passer rating was fifth in the NFL at 99.1, and he tied Peyton Manning for the league’s best completion percentage by completing 68.6 percent of his passes.

Jan 20, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter of the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

We’re going to see Ryan and the Falcons in the playoffs a lot in the future, as he is a great quarterback and leader. Ryan has five years under his belt, and he is in his prime right now. Ryan will be better and likely cut down on his interceptions in 2013 while taking the Falcons even farther.

Ryan isn’t the best quarterback in the NFL, but he has big-play ability, is very accurate and will make any defense pay for a mistake. He can perform on a big stage, and he deserves credit for his success.

And that’s why only five quarterbacks are better than Ryan.