Saints vs. Falcons: Matt Ryan looking to avoid 'sour taste' of previous postseasons

The Atlanta Falcons picked up their first win over the New Orleans Saints in over two years on Thursday night, thanks largely to five interceptions from the defense. Matt Ryan threw for just 165 yards on 18 of 33 attempts, good for season-low totals in yards, completion percentage and yards per attempt.

Despite the low totals, it was enough to win. Ryan threw no interceptions and connected with Tony Gonzalez on a 17-yard touchdown pass that put Atlanta ahead 14-0. The 11-1 Falcons are incredibly close to clinching the division, and Ryan admitted that while the team tries to keep a week-to-week focus, thoughts naturally turned to the postseason. "We’ve had some sour taste in our mouths at the end of the last couple seasons," Ryan said, so hopefully we’ll have an opportunity to change that." (Via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.)

The Falcons next face the Carolina Panthers, who have the No. 11 pass defense in the league and are holding opposing quarterbacks to an 88.9 rating.