Falcons’ offense unstoppable in rout of still-winless Saints
NEW ORLEANS – The Atlanta Falcons were rude guests for the 10th anniversary party for the re-opening of the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina.
Just downright nasty and rude as they looked nearly unstoppable on offense, got two real sacks and scored on defense as they defeated the rival New Orleans Saints 45-32 on Monday night before a dejected crowd.
The Falcons used dynamic performances from running backs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman to dismantle the Saints.
With the offensive line creating space, the Falcons didn’t need to lean of All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones much. He didn’t catch a pass until pass the midway point of the third quarter.
The defense pitched in with a 90-yard interception return by New Orleans native Deion Jones for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
With the victory, the Falcons improved to 2-1, and in first place in the NFC South, while the Saints dropped to 0-3.
The Falcons scored touchdowns on five consecutive possessions and added a field goal on their sixth drive to build a 38-25 lead late in the third quarter.
Then with the Saints moving into position to cut the deficit to six, Brian Poole jumped a slant route and deflected Drew Brees’ pass intended for Michael Thomas.
The ball bounced high into the air and Jones, who played his high school ball in New Orleans, raced 90 yards for a score, putting the Falcons up 45-25 with 13:37 left.
Before that play, Brees had thrown 305 passes without an interception, the fourth-longest streak in NFL history behind Tom Brady (359), Alex Smith (312) and Bernie Kosar (308).
New Orleans closed the gap to 45-32 with a five-yard swing pass to Mark Ingram with 10 minutes left.
Matt Ryan finished 20-of-30 for 240 yards for the Falcons. Devonta Freeman led Atlanta with 152 yards on 14 carries.
Brees had to throw 54 times, completing 36, for 376 yards and three touchdowns.
The Saints took a 7-0 lead with a 75-yard opening drive capped by Brees’ two-yard pass to tight end Coby Fleener in the back of the end zone. Brees tied the score at 14 early in the second quarter with a three-yard slant to Thomas.
The Falcons struck for backto-back touchdowns to extend their lead to 28-14, but the Saints got a 57-yard field goal from Wil Lutz to end the first half.
Meanwhile, in a show of unity, after the national anthem was played, the Falcons and the Saints held hands in a circle in a powerful display.
Saints coach Sean Payton reached out to Falcons coach Dan Quinn with the idea, according to ESPN.
It was deemed a great way to join the national protest against racial injustice and police brutality in America while still respecting the anthem. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)