MATT RYAN, quarterback
On breaking 6-game losing streak
“It had been certainly a tough stretch. For today, just to be able to battle for 60 minutes and get it done, I thought guys competed and everybody is really happy in that locker room right now.”
On balance of run and pass
“We set out to be really balanced today and I thought we were. That was big for us. I was proud of the way our offensive line played and how our running backs went in there and battled the entire game.”
On third down conversions on last drive
“It was huge. Obviously, Julio (Jones) had a great game and has had a great career. But in critical situations sometimes, coverage dictates that you go to other spots and those guys made really great plays. I’m really happy for Justin Hardy for the first late in the game, having those situations come up and being able to make those plays. What else can you say about Roddy (White), who’s been doing it my entire career. He’s a competitor and has made some great plays for us over the years and certainly today.”
On scoring TD on first possession
“We wanted to start fast. Last week was disappointing and frustrating. So everybody wanted to get back on the field today and get going. To be able to start like was really encouraging. We need more of that as we continue to move forward. I thought that was a great start for us.”
PATRICK DiMARCO, fullback
On the offense
“It started off real hot. We were able to run the all early and keep them honest in the pass game and open up some lanes throwing the ball. It was a great job of balance and making everything work.”
On stopping the losing streak
“It feels great. We’ve been so close in some of these prior games. I’m glad that we were able to finish. Which is what coach (Dan) Quinn preaches.”
JULIO JONES, wide receiver
On Justin Hardy
“We have the potential to do that, spread the ball around. Like you saw today, we have plenty of guys who can make plays. (Justin) Hardy made a couple of key third downs. Roddy (White) made a couple of key third downs. Those were big catches in the game for us. Also, Freeman out of the backfield. He’s going to be a problem and he will continue to be a problem in this league.”
On Devonta Freeman
“He’s a punishing running back. He gives his all very play. It comes from practicing. He practices the same way. We just try to take advantage of those one-on-ones outside. When our play is called we have to make a play and make them pay.”
JAKE MATTHEWS, left tackle
On the offense
“It’s kind like what we’ve been talking about the last couple of weeks, when we get the run game going, it opens up stuff in the pass game and vice versa. I thought we were really balanced today and mixed it up a lot. Obviously, the results show it.”
On the late-game 14-play drive
“We took a lot of time off the clock and left them in a tough situation. Obviously, we would have liked to have scored the touchdown and put it out of reach, but our defense played a great game and were able to get that stop at the end.”
KEMAL ISHMAEL, safety
On his interception
“It was a good call by the coach, recognizing what they were going to do. I jumped in there and made the play.
On being tackled by his former Central Florida teammate Blake Bortles
“It was a good effort on his part. Most quarterbacks get down and are out of the play. It was a good play by him to save the touchdown.”
JUSTIN HARDY, wide receiver
On two big third down catches in the fourth quarter
“I was just trying to play within myself and go out there and do my job. I was open and I just wanted to make the catch.”
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