Falcons head coach Dan Quinn took the podium following Atlanta's 27-20 loss the Seahawks and discussed the team's slow start, turnovers and focus heading into the team's bye week.
The Falcons (1-7) finished minus-three in the turnover margin on Sunday, and all three turnovers played a major role in determining the outcome. Atlanta was unable to create any turnovers on defense for the sixth-straight game, and the Falcons were unable to overcome the few costly mistakes on offense.
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The Falcons trailed 10-0 at the start of the second half and needed to score some points to keep pace with the Seahawks. Matt Schaub, who threw for 460 yards and tossed a touchdown, tried to get a drive going but was picked off by linebacker Mychal Kendricks while trying to lob a pass into Julio Jones.
Seven plays later, the Seahawks cashed in on the interception and extended their lead to 17-0 thanks to a Chris Carson 1-yard touchdown run.
Another touchdown for the Seahawks, this time by receiver D.K. Metcalf, left the Falcons with 33 seconds to answer before halftime. Schaub then fumbled the ball as he was sacked on the final play of the half.
Again, the Falcons found themselves in familiar territory down three scores at halftime.
But the turnover that changed the game came at the beginning of the fourth quarter, when the Falcons put together their best offensive drive of the game and Devonta Freeman fumbled the ball on the 1-yard line.
The Falcons were down 24-11 at the time of the fumble, and if there was any chance of closing the gap, it was on that drive.
Instead, the Falcons came away with no points and the Seahawks (6-2) went down the field and extended their lead with a field goal, making it 27-11.
"You can't lose the turnover battle zero to three and expect to come out ahead," Quinn said following the game. "That was a huge part of this. When you turn it over at the 1-yard line and you don't have the chance to keep answering especially when you're in a hole, you have zero margin for any error."
Despite the score, there were some bright spots in the loss. Running back Brian Hill showed promise and helped the Falcons get their first points of the game. Hill ripped off a 23-yard touchdown run at the start of the second half. The Falcons then went for two and were successful, cutting the lead to 24-8.
Hill hasn't seen much action this season as he sits behind Freeman, Ito Smith and Kenjon Barner on the depth chart. Smith was ruled out for Sunday's game with a concussion, giving Hill the backup running back nod for the day.
When asked if Hill would play more based off his production, Quinn said they "certainly count on him." Hill finished the day with 29 rushing yards on three carries.
"Brian has certainly proven that he's capable and delivering," Quinn said. "He's answered the challenge every time we have. I'm not going to say it would be more, but we certainly count on him, I know he can deliver for sure.
Another positive was the play of second-year cornerback Isaiah Oliver who's had an up-and-down season so far.
Quinn said the Falcons played a lot of man-to-man coverage and Oliver stepped up in a big way.
"We really challenged and a lot of ways he really responded," Quinn said. "He's a guy who's putting it in constantly to get there. It was great to see him stay down and really stay square in his coverage."
