LAS VEGAS -- Here’s what Falcons quarterback had to say after the 15-9 victory over the Raiders on Monday night:
Opening statement: “We have to find a way to win. It’s never easy going on the road and winning in this league. Great to find a way. There were a lot of plays where you look at and say we can be better, I can be better. So, those conversations will happen certainly, but great to find a way. Our defense was phenomenal. Our special teams were phenomenal. Our run game was strong. We didn’t convert enough third downs really to stay on the field. Then turned some of those drives into points. I’ll take any questions that you have.”
On the leaning on the run game: “The run game was solid. It was consistent. We got a lot of different looks from the Raiders. Our (offensive) line and (wide) receivers handled it well. The backs ran hard. Had some great runs. We did lean on it and they did a great job for us tonight.
On his TD pass to Drake London: “On the touchdown, the corner was a little aggressive. He was really anticipating the slant there and when Drake ran the double-move, it was the right call. Great play design by Zac (Robinson). Drake make a great play and turned it into six (points).”
On the shoulder/pump fake: “I think it still lives in that pump fake world. I think you’re good. Shoulder shimmy.”
On the assessment of his play: “I think I can play better. I don’t think that’s a mystery. I think the last few weeks I would say I need to play better. That’s when Raheem says it, that’s stating the obvious. Every week you go through your process and plan to play the very best that you can. So this week will be no different.”
On how he was feeling physical and mentally: “I think you know it was an interesting game. We got some third downs, but we need to convert them. Whether if it was third-and-long situation or if they were big zone dropping. There were a couple where we just didn’t connect. But if we converted some of those third downs would have made a big difference in terms of staying on the field and going to get points. Those plays loomed larger in terms of leaving points out there. That’s kind of how I view it.”
On his play: “I think it was a little of both. I think the interception at the start of the second half certainly was poor. That’s the part you don’t want to have at all. The defense did a great job of standing up there. Special teams showed up and it didn’t end up hurting us, but it still happened. I think there were just those third downs where we’d love to be able to convert and stay on the field. That’s where the body of work would have been in the pass game. We just weren’t able to tonight.”
On where he’d like to see his game improve: “I think it’s always just decision making so that you’re not putting the ball in harm’s way. Not trying to be too aggressive. That’s really the key and protecting the football.”
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