5 reasons Matt Ryan is an MVP favorite, and the 1 reason he won't win

Atlanta Falcons

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has arguably been the best signal caller in the first quarter of the season, but there's one reason he won't win.

When the season started Matt Ryan wasn't even in the MVP conversation. He was rated a middle-of-the-road passer who'd likely start 2-4, instead of 4-2, by Vegas oddsmakers. But this is why they play the games. Matt Ryan has arguably been the best quarterback in the NFL through the first quarter of the season and wedged himself into the MVP conversation. Here's why:

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan leads the league in passing yards (2,075) and passer rating (117.9), while throwing 15 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.

In the win against the Oakland Raiders, Matt Ryan connected with nine receivers, including Julio Jones. Two weeks later against the Carolina Panther at home, Ryan again completed passed to nine receivers for a career-high 503 yards. Twelve of the passes went to Jones, who amassed a franchise best 300 yards in a single game. That marked the first time that quarterback and receiver had ever gone over the 500-yard and 300-yard milestone in the same game.

Matt Ryan leads the league with (30) passes of 20-plus yards and (11) completed passes of 40-or-more yards.

Against the NFL's top-ranked defense, Matt Ryan scorched the "Legion of Boom," for 335 yards and 3 passing touchdowns. Before Sunday, Seattle had allowed just one TD pass this season.

Matt Ryan opened the season at +10000 odds to win MVP, but within four weeks his offs improved to +500 to win the award - winning will do that. Winning remains key for Ryan to stay in the conversation, if the Falcons don’t finish with a winning record and a trip to the playoffs, his MVP chances dwindle.

The No. 1 reason Matt Ryan won't win the MVP Award. "Handsome" Tom Brady. The Patriots quarterback waltzed into the Vegas' odds-on favorite after playing only two games, following his four-game suspension over deflated footballs. In this two starts, Brady completed 76 percent of his passes for 782 yards and six touchdowns with no interceptions. His odds to win: +250.

1/7

When the season started Matt Ryan wasn't even in the MVP conversation. He was rated a middle-of-the-road passer who'd likely start 2-4, instead of 4-2, by Vegas oddsmakers. But this is why they play the games. Matt Ryan has arguably been the best quarterback in the NFL through the first quarter of the season and wedged himself into the MVP conversation. Here's why:

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