Overlooked due to Atlanta’s disappointing 7-9 season was another great statistical year from quarterback Matt Ryan. Totaling nearly 5,000 passing yards, 35 touchdowns and just seven interceptions, Ryan had arguably his second-best season — the best being his 2016 MVP campaign — during his 10th year as the Falcons’ starting quarterback.
An interesting stat tweeted out by Ryan Michael of Quarterback Score offers more evidence of Ryan’s dominance going back five seasons. Ryan has led the NFL since 2014 with a remarkable 7.98 yards gained per pass attempt, one spot ahead of division rival Drew Brees (7.83 YPA). Some of the other notable names in the top ten include Ben Roesthlisberger (7.83), Russell Wilson (7.78), Tom Brady (7.66) and Aaron Rodgers (7.39).
If you’re not familiar, YPA means yards per attempt and takes all passes, including incompletions into account as a way of measuring a quarterback’s efficiency while throwing the ball.
