The Falcons’ offensive line failed to protect quarterback Matt Ryan and give up a key sack on a potential game-winning drive in the fourth quarter of the 17-13 loss to the Saints.
On second-and-10 from New Orleans’ 29, Ryan was sacked by New Orleans defensive end Cameron Jordan for a 5 yard loss. It was the Saints’ fifth sack of the game. They also had 10 quarterback hits in the game.
“We got to continue to work with the guys that we have,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “We’ve got some opportunities to maybe bring some other guys up that haven’t been active. There are a number of things.
“We’ve got to be better schematically. We’ve got to make sure we’re putting them in their best positions as a coaching staff in terms of the things we’re asking them to do. Entirely too many pressures on the quarterback in the football game tonight.”
Ryan scrambled twice for 10 yards rushing. He also completed several passes while on fleeing the pocket.
“It’s just one of those things,” Ryan said. “You have to keep playing. I actually thought that our offensive line did a pretty good job tonight. We came out and were physical early on. I thought they fought really hard.”
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