The magic is missing from Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan’s right arm.
He continued to throw interceptions as the Falcons misfired against the Vikings in an important NFC game with playoff implications on Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
With Ryan playing poorly, the Falcons were dominated before losing 20-10 to the Vikings before 70,610 hostile fans, who booed the team’s record-setting quarterback.
“I told the team inside that when you’re in a tough spot, we’ll do it together,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “That’s exactly what we’ll do.”
Quinn attributed the defeat to turnovers, decision-making and not creating enough turnovers.
After throwing two more key interceptions, Ryan has had five games with multiple interceptions this season. He passed for just 230 yards, snapping a streak of 22 consecutive games where he passed for more than 250 yards.
The Vikings, playing behind composed second-year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, improved to 8-3, while the Falcons, who opened the season 5-0, dropped to 6-5. They have lost four in a row and five of their past six games.
1. What's wrong with Ryan? This performance will not quiet his critics who have questioned his health, arm strength and pocket presence.
Ryan insists that he is not hurt. He doesn’t appear comfortable throwing on the run in the Falcons’ new outside-zone scheme. Several passes were off the mark or high.
His five multiple-interception games in 2015 ties his previous high for multiple-interception games which was set in 2009.
“You want to make plays and you want to be aggressive, but there is a time and place to do it and that was not at the time nor the place,” Ryan said of this second interception that killed a drive where the Falcons could have taken a 10-7 lead in the third quarter.
“Inconsistent,” Ryan said when asked to describe his play. “I think inconsistent. There have been some really good things and just some bad decisions that have cost us. Frankly, they have cost us. That’s disappointing.”
2. Coleman's big fumble. Falcons rookie Tevin Coleman, who started for Devonta Freeman, had a fumble in the first quarter after breaking loose for 46 yards.
He ended up recording his first 100-yard game of the season and had a touchdown run nullified by a penalty.
Devonta Freeman, who was out because of a concussion, was cleared to workout and was running before the game. That’s a sign that he’s close to coming out of the league’s protocol program and could available to face Tampa Bay on Sunday.
“I was trying to beat him,” said Coleman, who rushed for 110 yards on 18 carries. “I didn’t see the one guy behind me who poked the ball out. That was a good play by him. I just have to have more regard (for the ball) when I break open.”
3. Playoffs picture. Before facing the Vikings, the Falcons were sitting in the sixth, and final playoff spot in the NFC.
Tampa Bay dropped to 5-6 and Seattle improved to 6-5 with a win over Pittsburgh. Chicago is lurking at 5-6 after beating Green Bay on Thursday.
Since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger, 66 of 72 teams that started 5-0 went on to make the playoffs.
4. Jones piling up stats. Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones reached 90 catches and 1,200 yards for the second consecutive season.
Jones entered Sunday’s game against the Vikings with 89 catches for 1,189 yards, which both were league highs through 10 games. Jones recorded his 90th catch on a seven-yard gain in the first quarter Sunday and then topped 1,200 yards with an 11-yard catch two plays later. Jones has 94 catches for 1,247 yards.
5. Peterson is special. The Falcons' run defensed entered the game ranked No. 1 in the league against the run, giving up 87. 4 yards per game.
The defense contained Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson early, but he eventually got rolling. He had 29 carries for 158 yards and two touchdowns, including a 35-yard run in the fourth quarter.
“I see why these guys are the No. 1 team in rushing defense,” Peterson said.
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