Atlanta Falcons Media Conference

Sunday, November 5, 2023

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Taylor Heinicke

Postgame Press Conference


Vikings 31, Falcons 28

Q. How do you bounce back from one that's got to be particularly frustrating?

TAYLOR HEINICKE: Yeah, this week is going to test our character. Obviously the bye week is right around the corner. We've lost, what, two or three in a row, so we really have to come together and try to get this win, get back to .500. Then we have, what, eight games there to try and take the division.

It's right there for us. We just have to clean some things up. We have to go out there and do it, so...

Q. Did you get a ominous feeling after the first half because you missed so many offensive opportunities to get some distance?

TAYLOR HEINICKE: No, we're moving the ball really well. The defense did a good job of getting turnovers, getting the short fields. We just couldn't have to punch it in, and it's been a recurring theme this year.

We've been working really hard at it. We just have to work a little harder and try to find out what it is, but I felt like we moved the ball pretty well the whole game.

The last drive there was awesome, but I think the first half not punching it in at least one of those times was tough.

Q. How do you tell think you played personally?

TAYLOR HEINICKE: Pretty clean. There's a couple of plays here and there that I really wish I could have back. The interception was an awful throw. I threw it five yards behind him.

There was a couple of other throws. In the fourth quarter on the drive down that I was throwing it behind guys. I think my feet were getting a little excited.

So go back and look at the film tomorrow and see what I was doing and go from there.

Q. Just what was Arthur's message to the team after this one?

TAYLOR HEINICKE: Pretty much the same as all of our other losses. We felt like we kind of beat ourselves, especially there in the first half. We let some opportunities go.

Then we left a lot of points on the field there. So again, we'll clean it up. Go back and look at the film tomorrow, clean it up, and try to get better from there.

Q. Do you know Josh Dobbs at all, and can you appreciate kind of his journey kind of similar to yours where he kind of bounced around but tries to make the most of each opportunity?

TAYLOR HEINICKE: Yeah, I don't really know him personally, but following him throughout the last, what, two, three years, I mean, when his number is called, he goes out and plays really well.

The fact that he got traded this week, comes in and plays like that, he's a good player, man. Kudos to him. He played a really good game. That's really tough being an NFL quarterback and coming in in a short week, learning that offense, and scoring 31 points. Kudos to him.

Q. You talked a little bit about trying to learn chemistry with this new group of receivers and stuff. Did you feel like you made some progress there today?

TAYLOR HEINICKE: I did. There's a lot of good things out there on the field today. Obviously there was three, four throws I wish I could have back. I don't think that was relationship type of deals. I think it was just bad throws.

So I'm very comfortable with those guys. They did a great job today. Offensive line worked their ass off. So again, we'll look at it with the film tomorrow and see what we can clean up.

Q. Do you feel like you have to come in on Monday and, again, play things out kind of like you had this week where you're not sure if you are starting again? Do you feel like you did enough to earn another start next Sunday?

TAYLOR HEINICKE: I'm not really thinking about that right now. Still pretty pissed off about the loss.

So we'll come in tomorrow, Tuesday, Wednesday, see what happens. I'm still thinking about the game still.

FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
138869-1-1878 2023-11-05 22:36:00 GMT

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