It’s now or never
Falcons need upset at red-hot New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS — The latest chance for New Orleans Saints fans to show Drew Brees their gratitude for the many memorable, triumphant moments the quarterback has brought them comes, appropriately enough, on Thanksgiving.
The Saints (9-1) are riding a nine-game winning streak as the rival Atlanta Falcons (4-6) visit tonight for the third act of the NFL’s Turkey Day trilogy, so don’t expect a sleepy crowd in the Superdome, no matter how well-fed.
The Falcons and Saints are set to kick off at 8:20, with NBC televising the game. CBS will show the 12:30 game between the Chicago Bears (7-3) and the Detroit Lions (4-5), with ABC carrying the 4:30 matchup of the Washington Redskins (6-4) and the Dallas Cowboys (5-5).
Some 13 seasons after Brees embraced the challenge of resurrecting a downtrodden franchise in a disaster-ravaged city, his level of play, at age 39, appears as high as ever. He is on pace to break his single-season-record completion rate of 72 percent. His touchdown-to-interception ratio is 25-1. And the Saints, having averaged 37.9 points per game, are threatening to score more points in a season than any team in NFL history.
“He’s been as challenging a guy to go against over the years as you can imagine,” said Falcons coach Dan Quinn, who noted Brees’ accuracy and decisiveness as standout traits. “To say he’s doing it better than ever — he’s been doing it pretty well for a long time, but I’d say he’s certainly doing it as well.”
With the luxury of a strong offensive line and running game — not to mention playing with a lot of leads — Brees has been able to throw selectively and efficiently. He also has benefited from a monster year for receiver Michael Thomas, but Brees demonstrated in this past Sunday’s 48-7 win over the Philadelphia Eagles that he can connect, to prolific effect, with younger, lesser-known targets as well.
“There’s a lot to be said for experience,” a grinning Brees said as he reprised an old expression about wisdom trumping youth and skill. “When we step on the field, I feel like I can see it before it happens, and it takes a lot of work to get to that point. That doesn’t mean there’s not surprises. … but I feel good playing
the game right now.”
The Falcons aren’t feeling so good about their season so far. Their last-second loss to Dallas on Sunday dropped them five games behind the NFC South-leading Saints with six games left.
“We’ve got to get the bad taste out of our mouth,” Atlanta receiver Julio Jones said. “It’s going to be a great game. We’re going to have fun. People are going to fly around. People are going to get up. You don’t have to worry about people not being ready to play this game. … We’re just going to be out there swinging.”
The Falcons have taken more punches than they’ve landed this season, with the momentum of a three-game winning streak across October and November wiped out by backto-back losses to the Cleveland Browns and the Cowboys. Four of Atlanta’s six losses have been by seven or fewer points — and only one of its four wins has been by more than that — but close calls will get the Falcons nowhere when it comes to securing a third straight postseason berth, which would be a notable accomplishment in a franchise history with more lows than highs.
If that’s going to happen, ending the Saints’ run of success is a must. Unlikely as that might seem for a team that has been hit hard by injuries this season — particularly on defense, and particularly in the secondary — the rivalry aspect could be a factor. Tonight’s meeting will be their 100th, with Atlanta leading 52-47.
While the teams are spread apart in the standings, they played each other pretty closely in their previous meeting, Sept. 23 in Atlanta. New Orleans needed a late touchdown to force overtime before winning 43-37. The Saints are nearly two-touchdown favorites
in the rematch, which would seem appropriate given New Orleans has outscored its past two opponents 99-21 combined, but Brees’ experience against Atlanta tells him otherwise.
“These are always hardfought games,” he said. “They’re games that typically come down to the last possession.”
Added Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan: “They have a potential high-ceiling offense. … This is something we have to be aware of.”
Matt Ryan and a talented group of receivers make sure of that. For one thing, Jones’ touchdown drought is over. He has touchdown catches in three straight games after having none in Atlanta’s first seven.
Not that he wasn’t productive all along — Jones leads the NFL with 1,158 receiving yards this season.
“He’s been playing so well for us all year and has been so consistent,” Ryan said.
There have been defensive bright spots for Atlanta, too. Falcons pass rusher Vic Beasley Jr., the 2016 NFL leader with 15.5 sacks, finally showed a return to his form with two sacks against the Cowboys. He had five sacks last season and only one sack in Atlanta’s first nine games this year.
Now he and the Falcons will try to limit Brees’ comfort in the pocket.
“You have to find ways to pressure,” Quinn said. “His efficiency without getting hit or without getting moved is so high.”
While Brees has not thrown an interception at home this season, the Falcons counter with safety Damontae Kazee, a second-year pro who leads the NFL with five interceptions. He is the first Atlanta player with as many as five interceptions in a season since 2012, when Thomas DeCoud had six and Asante Samuel had five.