TheOak

Saints defense comes up big as Falcons' offense stalls

Chris Wesseling
Around the League Writer
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Sunday's grudge match between the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons was expected to be the highest-scoring of the week, billed as a potential shootout. Instead it was Rob Ryan's revamped Saints defense that came through with the game on the line.

Safety Roman Harper picked off Matt Ryan's potential game-winning pass in the end zone to seal the victory with less than a minute remaining.

That play capped off an impressive second-half performance, as the Saints pass rush overwhelmed a shaky Atlanta offensive line. In addition to the interception, New Orleans' defense came through with three sacks and two forced fumbles, holding the Falcons nine points below their 2012 average.

Although the game was close enough that either team could have won, coach Mike Smith's team has more immediate concerns than his counterpart in the Big Easy.

The aforementioned pass protection issues extended beyond the first-year starters to established left tackle Sam Baker. Another problem for the Falcons' aerial attack is Roddy White's ankle sprain, which prevented him for pushing off throughout the game. White was essentially a non-factor, taking a backseat to Harry Douglas.

With the Buccaneers and Panthers also suffering last-minute disappointments, the Saints are in the NFC South's pole position entering Week 2.

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http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100...offense-stalls

|Mitch|

If our offense had been in mid season form, it would have been a blow-out!

homerj07

Mwah Ha Ha!

Loving it!

Crusader

That's a correct analysis if I ever saw one.

Rugby Saint II

We actually looked like a real defense.

SloMotion

Usually I'm watching the Saints game in the corner of a local bar with the sound muted, so you key on the body language a bit more and these guys looked a heckuva' lot more confident & secure in their game then last season. You saw it, even when they gave up a few big plays, it didn't rattle 'em ... that last series, where you figure any NFL team would punch it in & win the game, Saints' D looked cool-as-cucumbers lining up ... you could see Matty "Ice" sweating bullets because he knew they weren't gonna' let the Falcons score ... no way, no how ... yeah, they looked like the real deal to me, .

TheOak

You don't drink enough if you are picking all of that up.

Jamessr

I don't have TV and I have very limited internet access atm due to the job...
However this is the game I wanted to see the most. I'm glad the Boy's pulled it off. I'm also glad the Falcons have a chance at going 0-2 very soon.

SloMotion

It was "all-you-can-eat" wings at the local Hooter's ... all that "orange", all the games on and a never-ending supply of wings? I was distracted from drinking too much, .

TheOak

Puff smoke, call an audible, and focus on what is a priority.