Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan needs to rise up and take better care of the football after the offense has turned in two uneven performances.
“When turnovers happen, it’s really not just that one person,” offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan said. “It’s usually a chain reaction of whether if it’s the call, the protection or the throw. A lot of things go into turnovers.”
The Falcons have eight fumbles and lost four in the past two games. Ryan also has thrown two interceptions.
“Matt is a solid quarterback,” Shanahan said. “He’s not going to be perfect all of the time. But what I’ve enjoyed most about Matt, and have been most impressed about him, is a lot of guys, when they do have turnovers, they get worse as the game goes.
“I feel like Matt comes back and plays better, almost, after them. I really felt like that versus Washington, and I thought he was going to be able to do that versus New Orleans, but we ended up getting down by a little too much.
“Interceptions don’t faze Matt. He’s going to keep throwing it and keep letting it rip. Hopefully, we can put him in some better positions.”
Ryan wants to eliminate turnovers.
“The No. 1 thing the last couple of weeks, it’s come down to taking care of the ball,” Ryan said. “We’ve moved it pretty well, but when you have opportunities inside the 25-yard line, inside the red area, and you don’t come away with points, you’re not going to win when you do that. We’ve got to do better.”
In addition to taking better care of the football, the Falcons were 3-of-12 on third down (25 percent) against the Saints.
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