Game 9 Rapid Reaction: Falcons @ Saints

Saints 31, Falcons 27

Saints Hand Atlanta First Loss of the Season, Improve to 4-5

It always starts the week off on the right foot when we win, even more after a victory over an NFC South opponent, but against Atlanta? Yeah, this is one that will be savored for a good bit. I alluded to My Keys to the Game of a good bit, and the things we needed to happen, happened. 

Things started on a sour note, as the Saints surrendered an opening drive Touchdown, fueled by our favorite Falcon, Roddy White, getting a big gain to set them up for a Matt Ryan to Mike Johnson, a Guard, 1 yard TD. 'No big deal' as we all thought, and then shrugged off, until Drew Brees threw an interception on the very first play to Asante Samuel. Luckily, we held the Falcons to a Field Goal (and clearly gained some momentum there) after they had a costly Unsportsmanlike Penalty for excessive celebration.

Picked on all season, but Corey White had a crucial Interception

Chris Ivory Beast Mode, Run Attack Continued
Ivory finished the day going 7-72, and Mark Ingram went 16-67. PT wasn't really needed (and really wasn't a factor much), but contributed 5-10. However, no run was as important than this 56 yard beauty. Whether he's playing out of anger, or just making a statement that he deserves to be in the lineup each week, point taken. Keep at it sir.

Play of the year for our team here.

Jimmy Graham Has His Breakout Game

We've been waiting on it, or at least I have. Jimmy Graham has had his struggles this year, leading the league in drops, and hadn't posted a 100-yard receiving game all year. That changed yesterday, as Graham caught 7-146, and 2TD. Graham was able to get behind the coverages thrown at him, and on one of his receptions late in the game, he was WIDE open, as he took it down the field for 46 yards.

Style Points. 10.0, 10.0, 10.0, 10.0, 10.0

Saints Defense Come Up Huge on Fourth Down

The most intense part of the game were in the final 5 minutes. So many turning points in the game, but none as critical as stopping the Falcons when they seemed all but certain to score. Let's rewind. An 18 yard rush by Jacquizz Rodgers set the Falcons up with a 1st & Goal at the 10. Harry Douglas caught a 9 yard reception, to the Saints 1. It was challenged, but he had the ball in possession to keep it there. 2nd & Goal, Ryan opted for Tony Gonzalez (which I think everyone knew that's where he wanted to go), and it fell incomplete. 3rd & Goal, they opted for a Michael Turner rush, but Will Smith plugged him up for a loss of 1. We have 1:46 left, and the Saints take a timeout, no doubt to get things in order. The Falcons go for it on 4th Down, and Jabari Greer bats away the Matt Ryan attempt to Roddy White.

After the Saints failed to produce a 1st down on the ensuing drive, it was back to the Saints defense to rise to the challenge yet again. Ryan connected with Harry Douglas on 1st Down for 9 yards, and then Ryan went on to miss 3 straight passes, including a sure handed 1st Down to Tony Gonzalez on 4th Down. Victory Formation!

With the victory, the Saints move to 4-5. They are now 9th in the NFC, trailing the Bucs. Some may say that this will be or is the game that propels us for the rest of the year. While it remains to be seen, we can't look past Sunday's date with the Raiders. It's a hostile area, and take it however you want, we still have our work cut out for us. Enjoy this week, savor this one for a bit, and let's be ready for Sunday!