The Atlanta Falcons (8-5) have their playoff fate in their own hands! In a thrilling divisional duel, the Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints (9-4)20:17 – even though they regularly stood in their own way. In the end, however, the reigning NFC champ, who benefited from numerous injuries at the Saints, came back and relied on his defence.
The Saints got their starting defensive backs Marshon Lattimore and Marcus Williams back after an injury break, but Mark Ingram also got fit in time. Andrus Peat, on the other hand, couldn’t take part and Lattimore needed regular breaks – the first shock came immediately after a few minutes: As a result of a hit by Deion Jones, New Orleans’ rookie sensation Alvin Kamara was forced out with a concussion. New Orleans had further injuries – without Kamara he was clearly noticeable difference in the offense.
So both defenses were able to finish some drives quickly, especially on the Saints side the pass rush was there early. The first long drive then belonged to Atlanta, completed by a touchdown run by Devonta Freeman. New Orleans responded with a touchdown by Tommylee Lewis when the Falcons Defense left a huge gap in the zone coverage. Shortly before the half-time break, Atlanta was lucky: An unattractive interception of Matt Ryan (15/27,221 YDS, TD, 3 INT) with Lattimore did not end in the Saints-Field-Goal just because a penalty against New Orleans ended halfway through the kick.
But it didn’t get any better for Ryan: After a second interception for the start of the third quarter, the Saints quickly marched down to the touchdown (Michael Thomas) before Atlanta knocked on the final zone – where Ryan threw his third, this time completely desolate interception. It took a while, but Atlanta was able to bridge the peloton again with a long drive at the beginning of the final quarter. And this time the Falcons were rewarded: The touchdown pass to Sanu was the equalizer.
Gradually it seemed as if the game would tip towards the Falcons. Atlanta dominated long distances, the turnovers made the difference for a long time. Defensively the pass rush became much better, with a 52-yard field goal the Falcons finally took the lead. And then it became dramatic: New Orleans stayed true to the injury pitch during the final drive, Thomas, Ginn and Ingram had to leave for a short time. But after the Saints in Field Goal range successfully played off the fears of the Falcons, who failed to accept a third down penalty, a fourth down, the away win was within their grasp – until Deion Jones ended all Saints dreams with a spectacular interception in the final zone!
Atlanta Falcons (8-5) – New Orleans Saints (9-4)20:17 (3:3,7:7,0:7,10:0) BOXSCORE
The first drive quickly made clear what a central role Kamara should play in the Saints game plan this week. Runs, passes, screens – the electrifying rookie was immediately everywhere on the pitch. Until the Saints got deep into the Falcons-half – and Kamara got a hard hit from Deion Jones. It was an enormously sensitive low blow for New Orleans, Kamara is not only the X-factor and matchup player in the Saints Offense, his skills after catch and qualities of dodging tacklers were lacking New Orleans tremendously.
New Orleans regularly had a tough stance in run-blocking, and as the game progressed, Atlanta’s pass rush woke up. What’s more, the fast linebackers were able to disturb the Saints’ screen game on several occasions. Here New Orleans couldn’t replace Kamara.
Not only because of the spectacular interception that won the game: Jones’ speed was often the only element between the Saints and another long screen pass or Underneath pass. He also led both teams with 13 tackles. Also worth mentioning: Michael Thomas (10 REC, 117 YDS, TD). Again and again open, found gaps in zone coverage, struck his opponents in man coverage and was often the only constant engine of the offense.
Ryan’s second interception right after the halftime break is on Austin Hooper’s drop. Otherwise but? The pick right before the half-time break in Cover-2, when Lattimore read the route perfectly by Julio Jones, was only not penalised with points because the Saints got a penalty on the field goal. Even more expensive was the interception in the end zone in the third quarter, when Ryan just threw into coverage and Atlanta cost what appeared to be safe points. Atlanta’s quarterback could have had even more interceptions, Ryan seemed almost panicky in the pocket and left a safe touchdown on Coleman in the last quarter. It was his worst game of the season by far.