Falcons 27, Jets 20
Q. Things didn't seem to click for the offense, and today that wasn't necessarily the case. What happened?
ZACH WILSON: : I really think it's the way we're starting. I don't know what it is. We have got to figure that out over this bye week, how to fix that. I've got to play better at the start as well.
It's interesting, in the second half, right, every single game, we have looked really good and we know what we're capable of and we were able to show it there at the end. I just think we have to get a good rhythm going, some flow. Starting three-and-out isn't the way to do it, sitting on the sideline.
So I'd say that's what we have to get better at, because we have the tools. Coaches are putting us in a good position and obviously we're able to move the ball down the field and it's interesting because in those two-minute drives, I feel like confidence that are everybody is higher than ever so we have to start the game that way.
Q. You did preparation -- have you felt -- do you feel good about the scripted plays even though they are just not working?
ZACH WILSON: No, I wouldn't say it's preparation at all. I would say the guys are ready. I would say it's a block that we've got to get over. It's like we started the first game or two with a bad first half, and that kind of hit the same trend and we have got to get out of that trend of starting bad.
It's like our mindset is, hey, we are going to start well, but we know we can do well in the second half. Like we got to do well the whole game. We can't keep trying to come-from-behind. NFL is too hard to always come-from-behind.
So we've just got to come out swinging right from the beginning. I've got to come out and throw that thing, make the right reads. I just missed some throws. I can't come out and miss throws, and not throws that are hard. Coaches are putting us in good position. We just have to get some momentum going.
Q. After they forced the fumble, there was one to Crowder, and then the three-and-out -- what happened on the shorter throws that were easier completions?
ZACH WILSON: Well, we didn't get hands on the guys on the inside and I've got to do a better job of trying to get out of there. First one was a screen. The back was behind the tackle. Should I have tried to throw it out there and leave him to go get the ball so he's out of the way. That's just lack of execution all the way around. I have to do a better job of getting him the ball right there. We have a big play there.
The other one, thinking obviously to hand the ball off, they have got that pressure from the field, and I was going to throw, just didn't get my hand set. I have got to rip it and get him the wall. I was trying to get out there so quick, I didn't even get my hand set. Definitely things I have to clean up and that's exactly what I mean by as far as we have to get going. I have to make those plays and we've got to get this offense going.
Q. Indiscernible.
ZACH WILSON: It was the exact same throw I made there at the end on the sideline. Obviously the frustration of just, you know what, screw it. I'm going rip this ball to the sideline and he's wide open, just like the one earlier on. It wasn't a bad decision. He was wide open, and I've just got to make a better throw, whatever it is, I've got to come out and be ready to rip this thing. I can't be hesitant on any of those throws.
Q. What was Coach's message to you guys after this one?
ZACH WILSON: We have to figure out after this bye week we have to come out and start better. I think that's the message all the way around. I know the defense is beating themselves up as well.
But we have to find a way to not have three-and-out drives, get them off the field. I think they had like one drive the whole first quarter. When we go three-and-out, they start the ball, they get a couple drives and all of a sudden, end the first quarter and we only touched the ball once. So it's hard to get anything going.
We have to establish something on offense. It's tough. So Coach Saleh's message is we are going to figure it out. Right there, we really feel like we're right there as a team. It's just the little things and it's being able to start fast. It's a process that we are going to keep getting better.
Q. When there's one unit that's -- you sometimes can have a locker room -- how do you keep carrying your guys when things are not necessarily going -- getting on the other side of the ball?
ZACH WILSON: They are going to do the best they can. We have to take advantage of our opportunities. You know, not worry about how long they are on the field or some of the plays they are making but they are doing a great job of getting the ball out of there and getting turnovers. We are able to capitalize on those.
Special teams got us some good field position as well. We had plenty of opportunity. We just have to take advantage of those. I think it really just comes down to confidence and understanding that we can do it and that we've got the right guys and right mentality and all that and we just have to execute.
Q. Do you feel like you're letting the defense down at all?
ZACH WILSON: No, I wouldn't say let them down. I would say, it's part of game, right. There's sometimes where third and long and the defense gets off the field and get back up but we understand it hard in the NFL and those guys are going to give up some and they are going to keep battling all the way to the end, as long as everyone has the full effort and they are going to give us everything they have.
We understand everyone is working their butt off out there. I have full trust in them no matter what. We are going to get back to work and they want to get better and we want to get better as on offense I want to get better.
Q. Even after last week, do you think you need more volume as an offense to find your rhythm?
ZACH WILSON: I would say we can't have, you know, stalled three-and-out drives and then put together a couple really long ones. If we are going to have to punt the ball, we have to at least get a couple first downs first. Let's change the field position. Let's get some rhythm going.
That's the hard thing is when we start three-and-out, that's what rushing us is going back on the sideline and sitting there again. We have to find some way to move the ball from the beginning and get that confidence going. We get some confidence going there at the end and you just see it in everybody, like we are able to move right down the field with no issues. That's something there we have to figure out.
Q. Talked about it last week, the first touchdown in a while and how that released the tension. Do you think there could be a situation now where early in games, because you haven't had that success yet early in the games you guys are pressing?
ZACH WILSON: : I wouldn't say "pressing." I wouldn't say anyone is trying to do too much. I would say my mentality definitely isn't how can I get a big play or anything here.
It's how can I be efficient; how can I get completions; how can I get you go be in third manageable and help us move the sticks and get first downs. Everyone is doing the same thing. They are all thinking about that.
So I wouldn't say it's a pressing issue. I just think it's a confidence issue. We need to be able to execute and hone in on our assignments and I need to be able to make good throws.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports