NFL: The next Saints show! Falcons beat themselves

The New Orleans Saints celebrated their tenth victory in a row with a clear 31-17 win over Atlanta Falcons. Drew Brees underwent an interception, but with four touchdown passes the Saints quarterback showed the next outstanding performance. Meanwhile Atlanta made too many individual mistakes, the Falcons got three Fumbles and one Interception.

Brees (17/21, 4 TD, 1 INT) and the Saints had opened the game strongly expected. At the first drive the Saints marched down the peloton without any problems. Finally, Tommylee Lewis (1 REC, 28 YDS, 1 TD), who received more snaps due to injuries in the New Orleans Receiving Corps, finished the 75-yard drive with a 28-yard catch. The Falcons initially responded impressively, but failed to complete their drive successfully as well: Matt Ryan (35/47, 377 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT) fumbled just before the end zone.

Shortly thereafter, however, the Falcons defense managed one of the very rare exclamation marks against Brees and the Saints. Damontae Kazee intercepted Brees at the 40-yard line, taking back the NFL lead for most interceptions. The referees overlooked a pass interference from Cornerback Brian Poole.

However, Atlanta failed to take full advantage of Big Play. The second Red Zone trip of the guests ended in a short Field Goal. After a field goal from Will Lutz and Brees’ second touchdown pass, this time on Austin Carr (1 REC, 12 YDS, 1 TD), the Falcons already had their backs to the wall. Therefore Atlanta played a 4th&7 shortly before the break and a 4th&2 after the half. But the courage was not rewarded: The first attempt was successful, but was destroyed by a fumble of Julio Jones (11 REC, 147 YDS) shortly afterwards, the second time Ryan’s pass was distracted by the middle of Alex Anzalone.

Brees’ third touchdown pass in the middle of the third quarter almost sealed Falcons’ fate. With a 25-yard pass, MVP favourite Tight End Dan Arnold (4 REC, 45 YDS, 1 TD) found himself on a Seam route in the End Zone, increasing the home side’s lead to 24-3. With the courage of desperation Atlanta had to play two more Fourth Downs at the following drive, but this time he was successful with passes to Austin Hooper (5 REC, 31 YDS) and Calvin Ridley (8 REC, 93 YDS, 1 TD) and thus reduced the gap to two touchdowns.

After a deflected pass from Ryan landed in the hands of AJ Klein, Brees and the Saints took full advantage of the shortened field. From the five yard line, Brees found his next no-name receiver with Keith Kirkwood (1 REC, 5 YDS, 1 TD) – touchdown pass number four for the 39-year-old! On the other hand Atlanta had to play a 4th&13, shortly after Ryan Ridley found a long pass. Immediately before the End Zone, Lattimore knocked the ball out of the receiver’s hands – a play that can be symptomatic of the course of the game. Ryan’s late touchdown pass to Tevin Coleman (8 ATT, 6 YDS, 3 REC, 17 YDS, 1 TD) was no more than result cosmetics.

Another game that could serve as an application for the MVP title. Brees once again emphasized that he is the most accurate passer of the NFL and brought pass after pass to his fellow players even with a strongly decimated Receiving Corps. Even under pressure, the veteran found ways to buy time and even use well-covered receivers. He proved his outstanding touch especially on the first three of his four touchdown passes. Brees wasn’t to blame for his interception. Also strong: Alvin Kamara (14 ATT, 89 YDS) and Sheldon Rankins.

No matter if Run or Pass Plays – Wes Schweitzer and Ben Garland were overstrained practically the whole game. Both Tevin Coleman and Ito Smith were repeatedly attacked behind the Line of Scrimmage, Matt Ryan had to run for his life too often. Without a doubt Ryan, who is partly to blame for his two gymnasts, also had a bad day, but behind this Interior Offensive Line the quarterback didn’t stand a chance either. The absence of Atlanta’s budgeted starters Brandon Fusco and Andy Levitre rarely became clearer than in this game.