Here’s what Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan had to say after the 22-19 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday:
On keeping the team together after a tough loss: "We've got to get back to work. We've got a quick turnaround this week and are playing Thursday night. So we are obviously disappointed. I thought our preparation and mindset and everything was really good coming into this week. And the result was not what we wanted. We have to put it behind us and get ready to play a good football team in New Orleans, find a way to get a win next Thursday."
On his emotions towards the end of the game: "Yeah, it's tough. Obviously, a great catch by Julio (Jones) in that situation to tie the ballgame up, and, you know, felt like our defense was going to get the stop and we were going to have an opportunity. Today just wasn't our day. So credit to the Cowboys. It's disappointing, but that's how it goes sometimes."
On whether the protection was better in the second half: "I thought our offensive line did a nice job in the second half adjusting to what Dallas was doing. I thought they played well and battled. Across the board, we just needed to play a little bit better in the first half. I think if we were able to convert a few of those third downs and keep some drives going, that could have been a different first half. From that standpoint, we needed to do a better job and I thought in the second half we stepped up a little bit and played a little bit better, particularly the last couple of drives."
On how the team is going to try and move forward: "Yeah, I mean, we've been in a lot of tight ones and just have not gotten the outcome that we want, but we are where we are. We've got to dig back into it and that starts Thursday. We've got to come up with a really good plan and be prepared and ready to go to play our best football Thursday night."
On whether the decision to throw the ball that hit off Calvin Ridley's shoulder was the right call: "I couldn't see it from my vantage point where I was. So I'll have to take a look at the film and see where it was, but those are tough. I mean over the middle of the field sometimes it's a bang, bang, play. I have to see it from a different vantage point to determine that."
On whether the quick turnaround is good or bad for the team: "No, you know, I think from a leadership standpoint, we've got to make sure that there is no hangover or anything like you said. We've got to get to work on New Orleans tomorrow morning, first thing. It's a short week and they present a lot of challenges with what they've been doing. So we've got to get to work on them quickly and that's going to be my message. I'm going to do my best to make sure that that's the case and we're ready to play Thursday night."
On what Dallas was doing effectively in terms of coverage: "I always think the best way to stop the passing game is with the pass rush. I thought that's what they did an effective job with in the first half. I thought they made us hurry to get the ball out a little bit faster than we wanted and created some sacks and I think that kept us off schedule."
On whether the Cowboys played like the Browns: "No, they were much different in how they played than Cleveland."
On whether there was temptation to slow down during the last play: "It's too hard to score in this league. When you get your chances and you have the opportunity to let it rip down the field to Julio (Jones), you've got to take those shots. And, again, he made a great play."
On his advice to younger players about the short turnaround: "I think the opponent we're going against, the stage that it's on makes it pretty easy to be able to turn around quickly and put this one behind us. Then you just have to stay on them, too. You just have to say, no, listen, we are done with yesterday. We learn from it and we get to work and start to prepare. Dan [Quinn] always sets up a really good schedule for us on Thursday games to get us ready to go and that will be the case this week as well."
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