ATLANTA -- Ryan Schraeder probably said it best in defeat.
As he moped by his locker following Sunday's 43-37 overtime loss to the rival New Orleans Saints, the Atlanta Falcons right tackle pondered what needs to be the next step for a team rocked by injuries, particularly on defense.
"Anytime you score 30 points, you give yourself a good shot to win," Schraeder said. "Our defense is a little banged up. We've got to pull the extra weight. We have to step up in certain spots."
One would think a Falcons team that put up 407 total yards, saw quarterback Matt Ryan pass for a career-high five touchdowns without an interception, witnessed first-round pick Calvin Ridley have a breakout performance with a rookie-record three touchdown receptions and 146 receiving yards, and went 4-for-4 in the red zone would have come out victorious.