Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is falling apart.
His reputation for reading defenses has been stellar, but a glaring mis-read led to an interception by Colts linebacker D’Qwell Jackson that was returned for a touchdown and helped them rally to a 24-21 victory on Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
“I didn’t see D’Qwell Jackson popping back out of the line of scrimmage,” Ryan said. “It was just a play that I can’t make. In those situations, critical situations, you can’t turn the ball over. I’ve got to be better than that.”
Jackson touchdown tied up the game 21-21. The Falcons couldn’t move the ball on their next two possessions before the Colts drove down for Adam Vinatieri’s game-winning 43-yard field goal.
The Falcons got the ball back with 47 seconds left, but couldn’t drive into field goal range.
After running back Devonta Freeman left the game with a concussion, the Falcons were made one dimensional. Ryan completed 25 of 46 passes for 280 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. He finished with a passer rating of 67.3.
Jackson may have recognized Tamme’s route from film study.
“Obviously, he’s a really good player,” Ryan said. “Stout against the run, but he does a great job getting back into pass coverage. He made a really good play there. Again, it’s a play that I can’t make and I’ve got to get it to a different spot.”
Ryan did a evaluation of all of the pass play through nine games over the bye week. He said he wanted to be more accurate.
“That’s one of the things, that’s not an accuracy issue on that particular play,” Ryan said. “It was just a decision-making issue. You can’t go to that spot.”
The offense scored on their first possession of the second half to take a 21-7 lead with 9:38 left in the third quarter. They only picked up three first downs the rest of the game.
“We played well up until that point,” Ryan said. “We moved the ball really effectively. Were able to capitalize, really after the first two drives we were pretty successful.”
The offense sputtered early after getting an interception and a fumble recovery from linebacker Paul Worrilow.
“We needed to start faster,” Ryan said. “Obviously, when you have two chances on turnovers and we come away with zero points, that’s disappointing. We did some good things, but we didn’t do enough to finish. We didn’t play well in the fourth quarter.”
Ryan didn’t want use Freeman’s exit as an excuse for his poor play. Backup Tevin Coleman and Terron Ward could muster only 50 yards on 19 carries.
“Devonta has been such a big part of what we’ve done this year,” Ryan said. “It’s difficult to replace all that he does.”
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