Here’s what Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan said after the 34-20 loss to the Packers on Sunday:
On the first drive a and the miss-throw: "I thought the first drive was really good. We talked about wanting to come in here and run the ball. Create explosive plays. We did both of those on the first drive. To come away with a touchdown on the road is the way you want to start. Then the second drive, I was trying to pull the ball back and it slipped out of my hand. It went backwards. It's a mistake that you can't make. It costs us points. Certainly, put our kicking unit in a tough spot."
On the snap that hit Sanu: "That's on me. The whole operation of the play starts and ends with me. I have to do a better job of that and make sure that we don't have things like that come up. Obviously, that was tough. We turned the ball over right around the 10-yard line. We were trying to get back into a football game. I think if we score on that drive it's a much different game. We have a much better opportunity of making a comeback."
On the pick-six interception: "It was just not a good enough throw. Higher, firmer and farther outside. That happens from time to time. Again, that was tough timing for it to happen in the game. Certainly, it cut the momentum that we had at that point."
On how is the botched snap on the quarterback: "I've got to do a better job of timing it up when I'm in the gun with my timing and lifting my foot. I have to make sure that every thing is clear."
More on the interception: "Well, I think it was on me. I have to make a better throw in that situation. I have to throw it farther to the sideline and give him a better opportunity to make a play on the ball. Put it in a spot where they can't make a play on the ball."
On Jaire Alexander following Julio Jones: "They mixed it up. At certain times, they had help over the top to limit some of the explosive plays. But we also had some opportunities to hit them. I think we hit two go balls. One got called back by a penalty. and we missed on another deep ball opportunity. We had some chances. I thought Julio played well. Even when he gets double covered, he makes plays. I'll give credit to the Packers' defense. I thought they did a nice job of mixing things up today."
On the emotional frustration of the team: "It's the moment. We're all competitive. We all want to win. We understand that the lack of execution at critical times will cost you. It's OK to be frustrated. But you've got to do something about it. You have to correct it and channel that frustration to getting better. We can't feel bad for ourselves. The only ones who can change this is us. We have to find a way to do that. We have to put the work in during the week to make sure that we are executing at a lot better level."
On some of the lineup changes: "It happens at all times of the season. That's the nature of this league. Injuries happen. Different things happen where guys are thrown in and you have to trust them to make plays. I thought our guys did a nice job and did some good things for us. We'll evaluate it tomorrow and I'll try and improve as we move forward."
On the locker room after the game: "I also know that margin for wins and losses in this league is razor thin. The reason we are 4-9 is because we've made mistakes in critical situations. That's my message. We've got good players. We have got to make good plays when we have our chances. We all have to find a way to do that as we move forward."
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