Here’s what Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub had to say after the 27-20 loss to the Seahawks on Sunday:
On the loss to the Seahawks: "I mean, we fell short. We had opportunities. The first half, (we) turned it over once; they converted into points. We moved the football, but once we crossed the 50, we settled for long field goal attempts, which we've got to find a way to continue to move the football and get in scoring position there. Then [in the] second half we moved the football up and down the field. We, unfortunately, we turned it over again, but we did some good things. Our defense played great in the second half holding them to three points and giving us a chance with the football."
On the second-half performance of the team: "It shows that we're resilient, we're going to fight until the clock says zeros. We're going to hang together in this locker room. That's going to be number one. Right now, with the bye week, everyone has to get away, clear their mind, get fresh, healthy if need be, and come out. You never know what happens in this league. You get one and then you get a second and see where you go. You can get on a roll pretty quick and strange things have happened in this league. But guys need to get away and clear their minds a little bit."
On the second-half adjustments: "We just executed better in the second half. We did things in the first half. We moved the football. Got out of being in a backed-up situation. Got across the 50. We had a couple of penalties, and then missed some long field goals. That stuff happens. I think we just executed cleaner in the second half. Whether it's in the run game where we got things going, and then our screen game helped out getting some chunk plays, and then guys made plays in the back end. Our guys up front battled. The Seahawks are a good athletic group and they push the pocket pretty good and their edge guys are established. They did a good job up front giving me some time to find some guys downfield. My receivers were making plays for me the whole second half."
On how it felt to get the start today: "It was great. It was great to get back out there and be in the huddle with those guys. Under the circumstances, it's never good when you're going in during that situation with Matt (Ryan), but it was good to get an opportunity to get out there and sling it around a little bit."
On Devonta Freeman's receiving performance: "It just says he's very talented and important to our team. Whether it's run, pass, pass pro, you know, he's a weapon for us. We got down by so much we couldn't really run. We came out and ran it a little bit in the first drive of the second half, but then just had to throw the ball to move it. From that aspect, we got a little bit one-sided."
On the Seattle defense: "They're very athletic. They're a veteran group. Their back end is a little young, they're new. The big thing is you got to get it [the ball] out of your hand. You can't hold it. There are some holes in their secondary and coverages, and it's just getting it out of your hand, getting it to your guys, your playmakers in space. Guys were able to make some plays with the football in their hands."
On the bye week: "I think it's vital right now for our football team and for the guys, just to step away, take a deep breath, and just refocus. Some guys are nicked up, so that's what the bye week is for. Get healthy and refocus your minds on your job and the task at hand."
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