The Atlanta Falcons are looking to avoid falling into a three-game losing streak, losing to the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots the last two weeks, as they host the 2-2 New York Jets on Monday Night Football.
QB Matt Ryan - who has never suffered a three-game losing streak since getting drafted by the Atlanta Falcons - completed 34-of-54 passes for a career-high 421 yards in the Falcons' attempt to come back against the New England Patriots last week. Ryan found TE Tony Gonzalez open 12 times, who earned 149 yards and snagging two touchdowns in trying to keep the Falcons in the game last week.
The Falcons will be without RB Steven Jackson, who is healing from a hamstring injury, which could be a problem going against a Jets defense that has allowed only 79.3 rushing yards per game this season, considering the lack of production by Jackson's replacements - Jason Snelling and Jacquizz Rodgers.
"We've had opportunities, and we haven't made the most of those opportunities," said Falcons head coach Mike Smith. "We, as a coaching staff, and as a team, have to learn from those mistakes we have made in the first four games and move on and get them corrected. It's a long season, it's just the end of the first quarter, and we will learn from the mistakes we have made and move on."
The Falcons take on a rebuilding New York Jets teams that is going through expected growing pains with rookie QB Geno Smith. Smith threw for 289 yards and a touchdown but lost two fumbles and threw two interceptions in their 38-13 defeat at the hands of the Tennessee Titans, who converted those turnovers into 28 points.
"It was one of those days where not much went right, with me in particular," said Jets QB Geno Smith. "I put the ball on the ground way too many times."
Smith, who is tied for the NFL lead with 11 turnovers (eight interceptions, three fumbles) and has been sacked 14 times, will need to deal with the noisy Georgia Dome crowd while adjusting to rookie mistakes often made by many quarterbacks trying to acclimate to the speed of professional football.
"It's just taking ownership to your mistakes and manning up," said Smith. "A lot falls on my shoulders as far as taking care of the ball, but that's something I have to do. No one wants to make those mistakes. It's something that has to stop now in order for us to progress and to get better as a team."
Live Television Coverage
Monday Night Football's New York Jets - Atlanta Falcons game can be seen on ESPN with coverage beginning 8:30 p.m. EST.
Live Stream (online)
Live stream coverage can be seen on NFL RedZone.
Live Stream (Radio)
Live stream coverage can be heard on NFL Audio Pass and Sirius XM Radio Channel 86
Live Score
Live scores could be followed by clicking here.
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