Tampa Bay 31, Atlanta 27
Q. Great start, you guys were clicking early. I know it was on the to-do list to convert in the rope. You did it three or four times including in the opening drive. How about the start? Everything clicking for you to begin?
MATT RYAN: Yeah, it was the kind of start we wanted sparked by a great play on third down by Todd. Good catch. Way to break a tackle and keep the chains moving for us and then we kind of got rolling from there. We wanted to come in and be aggressive to start. I thought we were and I thought we played a nice first half. Just didn't do a good enough job in the second half to get the job done.
Q. Huge discrepancy in passing yards and rushing yards. Was that just what the defense was allowing or would you prefer more of a balance?
MATT RYAN: We'd obviously prefer to be much more balanced and that wears on the defense when you are, and we weren't. We have to look at the film and figure out how we can be better in that department. Ultimately you have to find a way to do it, regardless of balance, no balance or how things are shaking out and we had chances, and we didn't make enough plays in the second half.
Q. Tampa's known for bringing the heat and they did especially in that second half. Did you notice a difference in the way they were applying pressure on you in that second half as opposed to the first two quarters?
MATT RYAN: I think it was similar stuff. I think that we just didn't execute as well as we needed to. You know, we had a handful of chances there in the second half to make some plays and we didn't do it and you know, I think, have one or two go a little differently, changes momentum. We had two three and outs in the third quarter, which were tough., and that can let momentum build.
Q. White had a big second half. What did you see from him, he was getting a little too close than you prefer; right?
MATT RYAN: He's a good player. There's no question about it. Certainly coming into his own as a young player. He's athletic, he's fast, he's strong, does a nice job in their package and I thought he played well for them today.
Q. You guys are always trying to adjust on the fly and make adjustments as they counter. Anything you thought could have done differently to adjustment in the second half?
MATT RYAN: I thought we had some good chances. Missed on a couple. Needed to make a couple more plays as a group but I thought, you know, I thought the plan was good. I thought the adjustments were good. I just didn't think we executed as players well enough.
Q. Did you get a look at that fourth down spot at the end of the game, at least from our vantage point, didn't look like it was close --
MATT RYAN: Yeah, I mean, I saw it. It's tough to tell, I guess, sometimes from different angles. But that's -- I don't know what else to say about it.
Q. So you don't agree?
MATT RYAN: I'm not going to comment on that.
Q. Only one of the eligible receivers -- 11 guys you connected?
MATT RYAN: Jaden, I think he was in a couple of our progressions, didn't find them for whatever reason. You know, a lot of guys touched the ball today. Credit to young guys, new guys, different guys stepping up and making plays.
Q. Is that the key with Julio out, everybody is obviously going to focus on him but now you've begun to share the wealth a little bit, everybody except the one guy involved?
MATT RYAN: You're not going to replace his production with one person. It's just there's only one Julio. So you know, by committee, guys have to step up and make plays and for the most part guys did a good job.
Q. You spoke with Tom after; what did you guys say to each other after the game?
MATT RYAN: Great player, has been a great player for a long time. You know, just telling him good luck the next two weeks.
Q. What's the morale of the team?
MATT RYAN: Disappointed for sure. Definitely had chances to win ballgames through the year and fell short. We need to be better. Also want to let guys know, nobody else is going to feel sorry for us. We have to go to Kansas City play one of the best football teams in the league and we have to get our minds right and attitude right to be ready to go next week.
Q. Passing Fran Tarkenton's record what does that mean to you?
MATT RYAN: It's I'm certainly proud of the accomplishments that I've had throughout my career and any time you're on a list with Fran Tarkenton, one of the best to ever do it, it's special, and I'm proud of that.
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FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports