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New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said Saturday the coaching staff is included among those who need to step up their game heading into Monday night's matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

Everyone, including the staff, has had a hand in the defense's inability to come up with stops with opponents facing the third- and fourth-and-long situations.

"We've got to fix it," Ryan said. "Whatever it is, we have to fix it. Hell, it's everybody. We're trying everybody. We're meeting with Sean (Payton), talking to Sean about philosophy. We have to fix this.

"It can't just be we play good and then we blow this. It's costing us games and we have to fix this."

Getting off the field wasn't just an issue for the Saints against Cincinnati last week, the defense also has failed in similar situations against Detroit and San Francisco, both losses. In the Saints' six defeats, opponents have converted third or fourth downs a whopping 19 of 27 times (70.4 percent).

"There've been a lot of different games when this situation has come up," Ryan said. "We lose contain. We misplay a ball in the air. We have the wrong leverage on a play.

"At the end of a game, we have to be more aware of the situation. We have to be better technique-wise and we have to do a better job of coaching. That's just the way it is."

Ryan also addressed the Saints' run defense and said New Orleans was "going to be tested" by the Ravens.

The Bengals rushed for 186 yards vs. New Orleans and San Francisco had 144 on the ground. The Saints had given up an average of 80.8 yards rushing in their previous four games. Despite the dip the past two weeks, Ryan remained confident in the defensive philosophy and approach.

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