As the interceptions start to mount, so has the concern about quarterback Matt Ryan’s performance.
He threw his seventh interception over the past three games late against Tampa Bay with the Falcons trying to mount a game-winning drive with under 1:30 left in the fourth quarter.
On first down, he tried to connect with wide receiver Julio Jones, but Bucs linebacker Lavonte David dropped into the passing lane and intercepted the pass.
“He was just trying to make a play,” wide receiver Roddy White said. “At that point, we have to score a touchdown. With a minute and 30 on the clock, you’ve got to get chunks. On that, he was just trying to make a play.”
Linebacker O’Brien Schofield said, “It’s got to be tough on Matt, but it’s not his fault. We had a whole game to put ourselves in a better situation.”
Falcons tackle Ryan Schraeder tried to make sense of the five-game losing streak and what role Ryan’s recent penchant for throwing interceptions played.
“I’m not really worried about Matt at all,” Schraeder said. “He put us in the position to win the game. That’s really what it boils down to. We tried to make a play at the end. We can’t really put it all of him for that.”
Ryan, who has thrown 13 interceptions, is on pace to match his career-high for interceptions in a season, which was 17 and set in 2013, when the Falcons went 4-12.
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