EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Observed and heard in the locker room after the Atlanta Falcons' 30-20 loss to the New York Giants:
No one in the locker room seemed to regret the fourth-and-1 pass play the Falcons attempted with 4 minutes, 40 seconds left in regulation and trailing 27-20. But newly inserted left guard Harland Gunn, just promoted from the practice squad, did regret allowing quarterback Matt Ryan to be sacked for a 9-yard loss on the play as Giants defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins made the big stop. "I took a bad set," Gunn said heading to the bus. "The guy read it and made a good play. It happens. It's sad to say it happened to me. I'll watch it, review it, get better and get ready for the next game."
Cornerback Robert Alford was noticeably frustrated as he addressed reporters after the game. He avoided taking any shots at the officiating, although he was whistled for four defensive penalties, only one of which was accepted -- a 26-yard pass interference call that helped the Giants on a third-quarter touchdown drive. Alford had a particularly tough time against rookie receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who returned from injury and had a 15-yard touchdown reception on a play Alford was whistled for holding. "I'll go back and watch film on them tomorrow and I'll just see what I can do better," Alford said. "It's always on technique or whatnot. ... I could have just done better. I'm always going to feel like I can do better, it doesn't matter win or loss. I never want to give up a pass or a touchdown. I will bounce back, though."
Rookie left tackle Jake Matthews didn't make any excuses, but he did say he rolled his previously injured ankle once again during Sunday's game. There was no indication that Matthews would miss any time considering he played through it.
