FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- As Matt Ryan prepares for Sunday's second meeting with the rival New Orleans Saints, the Atlanta Falcons quarterback isn't dwelling on what happened during the first matchup.
Ryan had a season-low 55.2 passer rating and threw three interceptions -- two his fault -- in the Falcons' 20-17 victory over the Saints two games ago. He vowed after that poor outing not to focus on went wrong, and he re-emphasized that Wednesday.
“You have to flush those out of your system right after they happen,” Ryan said. “That's kind of the nature of this league. You're going to have weeks that are tougher than others. But we were able to get the job done, which at the end of the day is most important. I was able to move past that pretty quickly. You have to keep focusing on what's in front of you. And I think that's a key to success.”
The 9-5 Falcons have a chance to secure a postseason bid by sweeping the 10-4 Saints, currently the leaders in the NFC South. Beating the Saints on Sunday in New Orleans and the Carolina Panthers (10-4) in the season finale at Mercedes-Benz Stadium would give the Falcons their second consecutive division title.
“I think knowing that none of that other stuff happens unless we win, that's what keeps you present in that moment,” Ryan said of not looking toward the potential of a division title and a home playoff game. “The only thing that matters for us is preparing this week and giving ourselves the best chance to go out and play football the way that we're capable of. And worrying about anything other than that, to me, is a waste of time or a distraction.”
Ryan knows establishing a rhythm with star receiver Julio Jones will be critical down the stretch, although Jones is battling an ankle injury this week. Jones had five catches for 98 yards in the last meeting against the Saints with a long play of 38 yards. Saints rookie cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who was named to the Pro Bowl this week, will look to challenge Jones, who also was selected.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Lattimore lined up across from Jones on 35 of Jones' 46 snaps in Week 14. Ryan was 4-of-8 for 79 yards with two interceptions in targeting Jones on those plays, including a Lattimore interception at the of the first half on ball Ryan said he shouldn't have thrown.
Ryan is looking for his fourth victory in a row over Drew Brees and the Saints. He's also looking to establish a better rhythm during an up-and-down season. He completed 70 percent or better of his passes during a three-game stretch against the Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but then completed 55.6 percent or fewer of his passes during the past three games against the Minnesota Vikings, Saints and Buccaneers. As ESPN Stats & Information noted, the only time Ryan has completed less than 60 percent of his passes in four consecutive games came in Weeks 13-16 in 2010.
Ryan's dip in numbers coming off an MVP season doesn't seem to matter to Saints coach Sean Payton.
“I think the season is a journey for everyone, and I would say Matt down the stretch, he's playing outstanding,” Payton said. “Their third-down offense is what you see. The percent they're converting right now [47.6 percent], they're first in the NFL. ... Matt's doing a great job of getting through his progressions, taking his shots down the field, and yet getting to No. 2 and 3 [reads] really quickly.”