ATLANTA – Matt Ryan hasn't felt much like an NFL MVP over the past two weeks.
He looked uncharacteristically sluggish Sunday in the Atlanta Falcons' 23-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills, throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble that was returned for a score.
Ryan was at a disadvantage in the second half with starting receivers Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu sidelined by injuries, but even those setbacks weren't enough for him to explain what went wrong.
"I've certainly made a ton of mistakes throughout my career myself," Ryan said. "It's disappointing. We're better than that."
In the third quarter, Ryan lost a fumble on a sack that Tre'Davious White returned for a touchdown. Ryan then threw a long jump ball that 5-foot-8 Taylor Gabriel lost to safety Micah Hyde, who's 4 inches taller, at the Buffalo 12.
Ryan threw a ball behind receiver Nick Williams that was intercepted with 3 minutes, 27 seconds to play. Stephen Hauschka's 56-yard field goal put Buffalo up six points four plays later, and a final drive for Atlanta (3-1) stalled at the Bills 10-yard line.
This is the latest the Bills (3-1) have been alone in first place in the AFC East since Week 7 in 2008. "It feels good," coach Sean McDermott said, adding, "still a long way to go."
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