FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan hopes he never has to endure another five-interception game.

It sounds simple, but Ryan breaks down last week's narrow victory over Arizona as a learning experience that could have ended much worse.

Despite his career-high five picks, Ryan still helped the Falcons (9-1) squeak past the Cardinals to maintain a three-game lead over second-place Tampa Bay in the NFC South.

Atlanta visits the Buccaneers (6-4) on Sunday. Tampa Bay has won four straight and five of its last six games, a streak that Ryan credits to the Bucs' ability to stuff the run and make an offense one-dimensional.

Tampa Bay leads the NFL in rushing defense. Atlanta, which ranks 28th, has averaged a paltry 2.6 yards per carry over the last two weeks.

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