Falcons run past host Saints 45-32
NEW ORLEANS — Tevin Coleman rushed for three touchdowns, Matt Ryan passed for two TDs, and Deion Jones returned an interception 90 yards for a score to help the Atlanta Falcons beat the winless New Orleans Saints 45-32 on Monday night. The game was played nearly 10 years to the day after the Saints' memorable return to the Superdome on Sept. 25, 2006, 13 months after Hurricane Katrina.
But there would be no reprise of New Orleans' dominant and emotional 23-3 triumph a decade ago.
The Saints' depleted defense struggled to slow down FSU alum Devonta
Freeman, who rushed for 152 yards and caught five passes for 55 yards.
Coleman also was effective in the passing game out of the backfield, with three receptions for 47 yards to go with his 42 yards rushing.
Ryan finished with 240 yards passing for Atlanta (2-1) which did not turn the ball over and moved into sole possession of first place in the NFC South.
Drew Brees put up his usual big numbers — 376 yards and three TDs passing — but his interception for a touchdown on a tipped pass early in the fourth quarter gave the Falcons a 45-25 lead that proved too much for New Orleans to overcome. Wilson might sit: Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has a sprained MCL in his left knee, and coach Pete Carroll raised the possibility of Wilson missing the Week 4 game against the Jets.
Carroll said during his weekly radio show Monday that Wilson “feels great” and that his recovery is already going “exceedingly well.”
Wilson underwent an MRI on Sunday night that confirmed the ligament sprain and received treatment all night, Carroll said.
Carroll did not express the severity of the sprain and acknowledged there is a consideration of sitting Wilson against the Jets with the Seahawks’ open date coming in Week 5.
But he added that it’s difficult trying to keep Wilson off the field.
Wilson was injured in the third quarter of Sunday’s 37-18 victory over the 49ers when he was pulled down awkwardly while being sacked by Eli Harold.
Other injuries: Chargers coach Mike McCoy said linebacker Manti Te’o will miss the rest of the season with a torn left Achilles tendon. Te’o, a fourth-year linebacker from Notre Dame, was hurt in Sunday’s 26-22 loss to the Colts. Kaepernick not ready? 49ers coach Chip Kelly said he isn’t ready to make a quarterback switch after his offense struggled in consecutive road losses to the Panthers and Seahawks. Kelly said backup Colin Kaepernick isn’t physically ready to start while Blaine Gabbert ranks 31st in the NFL in completion percentage and 30th in passer rating. Kelly’s offense managed just 254 yards in the loss to the Seahawks.
Extra points: Free-agent DE Greg Hardy was arrested Sunday on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance, according to an NFL.com report . ...
The Jets claimed TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins off waivers from the Buccaneers.