Compiled by FootballDiehards Editor Bob Harris | Updated 16 November 2016
According to ESPN.com's Vaughn McClure, Matt Ryan's message to his teammates is a simple one.
The quarterback sees no reason to dwell on a disheartening 24-15 road loss at Philadelphia. There's too much football left to be played. Ryan knows it.
"You have to get rest this week and have a mindset that we're not preparing for the last six games of the season, but the mindset to play nine or 10 more," Ryan said, giving a rare look ahead beyond the next game. "That's what you have to prepare for, and that's why you have to take advantage of these opportunities where you can get some rest and be fresh. That'll be my message to everybody. Keep moving, but let your body and mind get right."
The Falcons, even at 6-4 and atop the NFC South, have plenty to fix from now until they return to the field Nov. 27 against Arizona (4-4-1). They can't afford to let this season slip away, like they did after being 6-3 after nine games last season. (The Falcons finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs.)
But again, one bad loss to the Eagles shouldn't define them.
"First and foremost, it's not panic time," veteran defensive end Dwight Freeney said. "We're going to get back in the lab and try to correct some of these issues and problems."
According to McClure, that starts with showing more physicality than the Falcons did against the Eagles, as they got pushed around on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Ryan didn't have a chance to play like the MVP candidate he is while throwing under duress. And Ryan is sure to face plenty of pressure against the likes of Chandler Jonesand Markus Golden of Arizona and Dee Ford and perhaps Justin Houston of Kansas City in the coming weeks.
Defensively, the Falcons can't be a sieve against the run, as they were in surrendering 200-plus yards to the Eagles' runners. A repeat performance the next time out might mean a 200-yard individual performance by Cardinals standout David Johnson.
And, of course, aspects such as dropped passes -- even one by superstar receiver Julio Jones -- and pre-snap penalties will be addressed. Plus, no one should escape special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong's wrath coming off a dismal performance by his unit in Philly.
Getting healthier should help the Falcons' cause over the final six regular-season games, but the prospect of tight end Jacob Tamme returning from a shoulder injury looks slim since he's considering surgery. The outlook is unclear for Pro Bowl cornerback Desmond Trufant, whom coach Dan Quinn referred to as "day-to-day" with a shoulder injury. And the Falcons definitely could use a boost from speedy running back Tevin Coleman, who has been sidelined by a hamstring strain. Punter Matt Bosher's hamstring injury is worth monitoring as well.
Quinn said Coleman will be back to full participation before the Arizona game. Tamme is scheduled to get a second opinion Wednesday on the right shoulder he injured Oct. 30 against Green Bay. It's highly likely Tamme will then have surgery Thursday.
Meanwhile, after watching film and getting treatment on Monday, the Falcons planned to take the rest of the week off. Quinn said each player will receive a binder, detailing things they need to improve on during the time away, and a schedule to maintain their conditioning.
Also, each player will be reminded not to do anything that will bring embarrassment to themselves or the team.
"Rule number one for us is protect the team," Quinn said. "Whether you're in town or back in your hometown or wherever you may go, have a real conscience for your brother. We're on to something pretty good here. ..."
A few final notes. ... According to the Sports Xchange, Ryan was 18 of 33 for 267 yards and one touchdown against the Eagles. He extended his streak of games with 200 or more passing yards to 49 and his streak of games with at least one passing touchdown to 12. Also, Ryan eclipsed 3,000 yards this season (3,247). This is the second time in his career that he has thrown for more than 3,000 yards in the first 10 games of the season.
Jones surpassed 1,000 yards for the third straight season. This is the third time in franchise history a receiver has passed 1,000 yards through the first 10 games of the season (Jones 1,189 -- 2015; Roddy White 1,017 -- 2010). Jones finished the game with 10 receptions for 135 yards, marking the sixth time this season he has clipped 100 yards and the 34th time in his career his accomplished the feat.
According to NFL.com's Matt Harmon, Taylor Gabriel's average depth of target (36.5) was the highest of any wide receiver on the day. Harmon went on to characterize Gabriel as a "streaky deep threat" and only played 33 snaps on Sunday. However, his deep speed has made a huge difference for the Falcons, as he has catches of 76, 26 and 47 yards the last three weeks.
Austin Hooper got just two targets despite playing on 73 percent of the team's snaps. He had a chance to seize the starting role by doubling down on his strong Week 9 performance, but Harmon believes this likely leaves the door open for Tamme to re-take the job when he's healthy.
Devonta Freeman was held to 49 yards rushing on 12 carries against the Eagles on Sunday. ..
Matt Bryant broke Morten Andersen's franchise record for most field goals made with a 46-yard field goal in the third quarter on Sunday. Bryant has 185 made field goals in his career as a Falcon and he is 23 of 25 this year. He also missed his fifth extra point attempt of his career on Sunday.
According to Arizona Republic staffer Kent Somers, the Cardinals have signed wide receiver Jaron Brown to 1-year extension, through 2017. Brown is on IR with a torn ACL.
DEPTH CHART
QBs: Matt Ryan, Matt Schaub
RBs: Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman, Terron Ward, Stevan Ridley
WRs: Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Taylor Gabriel, Justin Hardy, Eric Weems
TEs: Austin Hooper, Jacob Tamme, Levine Toilolo, Joshua Perkins
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