Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan believes that he made the right decision in their defeat to the New Orleans Saints on a third and goal play to slide on the six-yard line rather than go for the end zone.

The Falcons were trailing the Saints and the seven points would have made a huge difference as Mike Smith's side lost by four points, the number they lost by settling for a field goal.

"It was early in the game," Ryan told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "You've got to take the points. You've got to make the right play.

"I felt like that was the right play and you've got to take those three points. We have to trust that we're going to continue to get down there and continue to score touchdowns. In that situation I felt like that was the right play."

The Falcons are 2-9 in their season after week 12.