IMPORTANT MEN

After 10 games, the Falcons are a surprising 6-4. Nobody predicted that. There is even reason to talk playoffs with six games remaining. So, go beyond the obvious —- that the Falcons are one of the best stories in the NFL this season. Their success offers a chance to open debate on who is the team MVP. It’s not that easy. Here are four candidates:

Matt Ryan

The Falcons handed their keys to the No. 3 overall draft pick, deeming he was ready to handle the NFL. It was a risky proposition that has immediately proved that the new management group is making the right decisions. Ryan did it right from the start, with his first NFL pass a 62-yard touchdown. He’s a near lock to be the NFL’s offensive rookie of the year.

Ryan is 11th in the NFL in passing with 2,159 yards. That’s more than the likes of Eli Manning, Ben Roethlisberger and Jake Delhomme. He’s 13th in quarterback rating at 87.8.

Ryan has made mistakes, but not nearly the number you would expect from a rookie quarterback. Ask yourself, do the Falcons beat Chicago with 11 seconds left with another quarterback?

Michael Turner

The Falcons’ big offseason acquisition was another move that was questioned. How do you give big money and a prominent role in the offense to a running back who spent his first four years as a backup?

Turner also made his presence felt immediately, rushing for 220 yards in his Falcons debut.

The Falcons are second in the NFL in rushing at 153.4 yards per game, and Turner has carried the load. He is third in rushing with 971 yards on a league-leading 227 carries. He has fumbled just once this season.

The Falcons’ run game also benefits from the change of pace Jerious Norwood offers. Ask yourself, are the Falcons as successful without Turner and the run game?

Roddy White

The evolution of White continues. It wasn’t that long ago that we were all wondering whether the wide receiver was a bust. White is third in the NFL in receiving with 903 yards, just 52 behind the leader. He needs just 300 yards to surpass last year’s total (1,202). White’s six touchdowns are tied for third in the league.

White has firmly taken hold of the role of No. 1 receiver and Matt Ryan’s favorite target. He has never missed a game in his four seasons.

His numbers have improved each season. Who would have thought that after watching this team the past few years? Ask yourself, would the Falcons have been able to win without White and the passing game?

John Abraham

While the biggest questions facing the Falcons this season may have been on the offensive side, the defense wasn’t exactly rock solid. Except for Abraham. When healthy, he’s one of the best defensive ends in the NFL.

He has been healthy this season and accounts for most of the Falcons’ pass rush. He more often than not faces double- and triple-teams.

Abraham is third in the NFL with 11 sacks, just 2.5 from the lead. The rest of the Falcons have a combined six. He is eighth on the team in tackles with 26.

With a suspect secondary, the Falcons are 11th in the NFL in points allowed. Ask yourself, would the Falcons’ defense be where it is without Abraham?