Falcons' Ryan: 'I have to play better'

After a remarkable start to his career, Atlanta's Matt Ryan(notes) has to emerge from the funk that every young quarterback endures at some point.

Ryan (right) has thrown seven interceptions the past three games - two of them losses - after being picked off 13 times in his first 20 regular-season games. Not all were his fault, of course. There were protection issues and tipped balls and receivers not always running the proper route. But it all comes back to the quarterback, the guy known as "Matty Ice."

"You've got to ride the ebb and flow of a season," Ryan said.

Ryan's play in the past three games raise at least a bit of concern in Atlanta, if for no other reason than it's the first significant bit of adversity he has faced.

He played well in the first four games but has struggled since. He was 19-of-42 with three interceptions in Monday night's loss at New Orleans.

Now, the Falcons will try to snap their first losing streak of the Ryan era when they go up against Redskins.

"You have to be more judicious with the football, make better decisions," Ryan said. "But you don't want to lose that sense of aggressiveness. You want to take some chances, you want to make some plays. I know I have to play better."

Here's a look at what to expect this week as the Falcons face the Redskins:

The Falcons must make amends this week. Having the Redskins in town gives them an opportunity to move their loss to the Saints and on to a stretch drive toward the NHL playoffs.

RB Michael Turner(notes) had a breakout games against the Saints. He rushed for 151 yards on 20 carries, his most productive game of the season. He was back to his bruising style of running and made holes where there were none. The Falcons also used different formations and shifts in order to send Turner at defenses from different angles. Expect that to continue, and Turner to again be a factor, against a much weaker Redskins defense.

For more, check out SN's exclusive Redskins-Falcons matchuphttp://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/matchup.php?game_id=20091108001.


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