What Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan had to say after the win over the Saints:
On getting off to such a good start offensively:
“For us, I thought offensively we did about as good as we can do in the first half in terms of the result. There were even things that we could clean up in terms of penalties, etc. where we can get a little bit better and some things that we can control. I thought the effort, the intent, the mindset was exactly what you want from your team and was proud of the way our guys started the game. I think we could have been a little bit better in the second half. Offensively, we had some opportunities to keep going and maybe score some more points to put the game away a little bit earlier. That will be something that we can clean up.”
On whether he is having as much fun this season as he’s ever had:
“Well when you win games, it’s funny how that correlates to having fun. For sure, though, it’s been a fun year. We’ve done some good things on the offensive side of the ball, but the most important thing is all of the things we’ve done have given us the opportunity that we have now. At the end of the day, that is what you work hard for during the off-season. You train all those days to give yourselves opportunities this time of the year. I’m proud of the way our guys responded and handled that all year.”
On being considered one of the best offenses in NFL history:
“Again, we did what we needed to do. To me, that’s what you want to do as an offense. That’s what you want to do as a quarterback. When games shake out a certain way, you have to figure out what you have to do to win games. I’m proud of the way we handled that. At the end of the day, I think the most important thing is we have given ourselves a chance. We have an opportunity in front of us now. It’ll be fun.”
On the offense’s superb efficiency in the first half:
“I thought we did a great job coming out and getting the ball in the end zone during the first half. I thought that was really good because we overcame some things, especially some penalties we had in the red zone. That was really important for us. We made plays for sure when we needed to in the first half. We could have played a little bit better in the second half. It was really important to get off to a fast start especially against the team we were going against with Drew [Brees] and what he’s capable of doing. I thought that was important for us.”
On the importance of Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman:
“It’s huge as far as the combination of those two guys and their ability to make big plays for us. I think [Devonta Freeman] has two really good plays for us on the first drive and then Tevin [Coleman] comes in and catches a touchdown. The start of the second drive Freeman went I forget how far it was, but it was pretty far. They have explosiveness, unselfishness, and a mindset to do whatever it takes to win. Guys appreciate and feel that in the locker room. They put the team first and have set a great example for the rest of us.”
On his appreciation for the postseason and not putting too much pressure on himself or the team:
“Well, I think the thing I’ve learned is that you have to continue to do the things that you’ve done all year. In my previous experiences, I think that’s the thing I’ve learned. Don’t make it any more than it is or any less and continue what we’ve done all year. Dan [Quinn] approaches every week and talks about having a championship mindset and championship level preparation every week of the season. I think we should feel very comfortable as we move forward. We’ve been doing the right things and preparing the right way all year. We need to continue to do what we’ve been doing.”
On the importance of earning a bye and getting a week of rest:
“Essentially, it’s like a playoff win today getting us to the second round. I’m proud of our guys and the way that they competed. As far as time off, we will see what Dan [Quinn] has scheduled for us. It will be a good chance for us and the guys who need rest to get healthy. That will give us the opportunity to do that this week.”
On what it was like to hear the home crowd chant “MVP”:
“It feels pretty good. That was nice of our fans to do that and pretty cool moment out there today. It felt really good.”
On how it feels to have Mike Vick’s praise and the ovation he received:
“I’ve known Mike for a while and I’ve always had a really good relationship with him. I actually saw him as I was coming out of the locker room heading onto the field. They had a bunch of the former guys out there and I got to see Mike [Vick] for a second. We’ve always had a great relationship and he’s been really supportive of me here. That’s meant a lot to me throughout my career having been such an icon for this city and such a great player. His support has meant a lot to me throughout my career and he’s very nice to say the things that he’s said.”
On the role Kyle Shanahan has played in the offense’s success:
“I think Kyle [Shanahan] has been outstanding the entire year. He has a really good feel for the guys that we have in our locker room and what they are capable of doing. He’s done a great job of putting everybody in positions to succeed. He’s handled that as well as anybody. I think he’s done a great job this year.”
On the offense’s production falling off in the second half and overcoming that moving forward:
“You play well. That’s got to be the mindset for four quarters regardless of how the first half or three quarters shakes out. You have to have that mindset to keep the foot on the pedal and keep going. I thought we could’ve done that a little better on the offensive side today, but at the end of the day, it’s about getting wins. Whatever you have to do to get it done is what you have to do.”
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