Here’s what Falcons coach Dan Quinn had to say after the win over the Saints:
Opening Statement:
“First things first, I wanted to recognize the fans and the city. Man, did we feel their presence today and the energy that they brought. They were there early and loud. All of us on the team, we sure appreciate that. It’s fun to have that connection back with the city and the fans so that was great. I thought this week the game was won during the week. It’s that preparation that goes into each week. We have a term ‘trust your training, trust your teammate, and trust yourself’. That’s how we put it all into the week and then at the end of the week we try to empty that bucket out and go for it in every single fashion. We knew it was going to be a hard-fought game and it was. We expected nothing different just right in the division and quarterback that’s hard to battle on both sides as you could possibly imagine and both of them were. I was particularly pleased at the beginning. We use the term ‘set it off’ so to have a good three and out to start the game and then follow that up with four plays and a touchdown. That got the crowd even more into it. From there it was a great game. Lots of competition and lots of battling back and forth. Guys got banged up, came back, played hurt, and showed that kind of resiliency and toughness that we stand for.”
On the offense:
“I told the team it was in typical Falcon offensive fashion to be going to four different receivers for the touchdown passes so it just felt like they were in a groove. I thought Matt played particularly well today. He created some, moved in the pocket, and just threw some balls that were right on point. Like I said, this was won during the week. There was a lot of preparation that went in and there was a lot of work that these guys put in against one another to get ready and I thought that really showed.”
On any thoughts on wrapping up the second seed for the playoffs:
“Not yet. We’ll put a good plan together but this week the focus was exclusively on New Orleans and we know the benefit of having the bye and we’ll discuss that with the team this week and our best way to get ready. Generally speaking, during that time, the focus comes right back to us. You don’t know who your opponent is so you can look ahead some but you turn the focus right back to ourselves. We’ll get big into our own self-scout and areas that we want to improve and the players specifically some things for them to improve. That’ll be the general outline or the week.”
On not having a third down until the second quarter:
“It was one of those times where the time of possession was swayed the other way but it went okay. Generally, that doesn’t happen. Usually, you’re getting grinded. I thought the execution by the guys was on point today. But like I said, you could see the intent in the week from Wednesday, Thursday, and into it. That iron sharpening iron, it came through this week, really loudly and really clearly to our team. That’s what I told the team inside. I recognize that’s when this game was won.”
On Jalen Collins interception and Keanu Neal’s hit:
“We knew the ball was going to be a factor in this game. For us to finish plus one, that was a factor. We thought we’d have a chance at maybe one or two others that we didn’t get but it was well played by Jalen [Collins]. He’s somebody that’s confidence continues to grow. The more he’s playing, he’s been somebody that’s totally come through for us. The guy’s loaded with grit. He had a very difficult offseason, he missed some time, in the beginning, played a little bit on special teams, and his team totally needed him to come through when injuries took place and he has. We weren’t surprised that he played well. He continues to challenge and battle. The hit with Keanu [Neal], he understands his strike zone and how to bring it. He hits right through the surface, not to a guy and he has a real clear understanding of how to do that. It was a really hard hitting game today. We’ll need this time to heal up during this week so that’s definitely an advantage for us.”
On Vic Beasley Jr. leaving the game and coming back in and getting a sack:
“Well, I knew when he went inside and then when he came back out and I saw him and said, ‘Hey man, we appreciate your toughness and you being ready to go battle again.’ I asked him if he needed me to hit his shoulder and said no, no, no. We just joked about it but honestly, that shows how hard he wants to play for his guys. That’s one of the coolest parts about our team. This brotherhood that they have is real and that connection that they have amongst one another where they’re playing something bigger for themselves. They recognize that.”
On how much better Matt Ryan has gotten:
“The thing I’d like to share with you is the work that he put in this offseason. He made that decision from last January where we got together and had many conversations but when we apply the term ‘can you get one percent better?’ to already a really good player, sometimes the ceilings to go through to get to the next level can be really challenging. He totally did that. He’s the one that put the work in, spent the extra time, and set our offseason in motion. I think that speaks for itself in terms of how hard he’s gone for it. He has not backed off since. He’s been able to stay on that pace and stay on that routine of constantly striving to get better so I feel his intent and I feel in the way he prepares and the way he’s going at it that he’s in a very good groove right now.”
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