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Of the myriad storylines present Sunday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, one stood tallest.

Taller than Marques Colston’s record-setting reception, a graceful, outstretched 25-yard touchdown pass from Drew Brees in the second quarter that gave him the franchise career receptions lead, with 533.

Looking down even on the regular-season return of Coach Sean Payton, who missed the 2012 regular season and whose presence and influence was felt even before kickoff, as he teamed with former Saints safety Steve Gleason to initiate an emotional “Who Dat” chant by Saints fans.

Alone, deserving of its own marquee in a 23-17 New Orleans victory over Atlanta, was Rob Ryan’s defense.

With two forced turnovers (a fumble recovery and interception by safety Roman Harper), three sacks (Parys Haralson, Akiem Hicks and Junior Galette), a fourth down that clinched the win, 367 yards allowed and a sterling third-down stop rate (the Falcons were 3 for 11), the Saints’ defense was as prideful and stout as it could’ve hoped to be entering the season-opening game.

“It was obviously big,” Payton said of the fourth-down stop. “It was the difference between winning and losing. We gave up some plays and some yardage and I thought after that first quarter, we settled in and mixed some things up. That is a real good offense we played.”


Against the defending NFC South Division champions, owners of one of the league’s most potent offenses, New Orleans’ defense stiffened after allowing a first-quarter touchdown. And it came to the rescue at the end, courtesy of Harper’s end-zone interception on fourth down.

“He instills confidence,” linebacker Curtis Lofton said of Ryan. “He makes you want to go out and prove him right, that we are a great defense.”

“Sean (Payton) sent the defense out first (in player introductions), which would never happen in the past,” Harper joked. “It’s just a whole different feel. (But) it’s just one step in the right direction.”

Clearly, a good and needed one, after the Saints surrendered an NFL-record 7,042 yards last season.

Atlanta struck first, taking its second offensive possession and driving 82 yards in six plays, a drive that culminated with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Matt Ryan to tight end Tony Gonzalez. And the Falcons' defense locked down on the next possession, forcing the Saints to turn over the ball on downs after New Orleans couldn’t convert on fourth-and-1 from its 47-yard line.

That’s where the momentum shifted – to the Saints.

Read more: John DeShazier: Rob Ryan's defense stands tall in win over Atlanta Falcons

TheOak

Tall BABY! TALL

Danno

Anyone else notice we played a ton of 4-safety sets with Harper, Jenklins, Vaccaro, and Bush?

hagan714

yep they played really well in the 4 safety set i thought.

I have to say i was very impressed with John Jenkins play. i have some crow i am afraid i may need to thaw out for my season ending meal their. he did not play like rookie at all. in my book he had the best game off all rookies

DL and the LB corp was great against the run. 50 yarder to Jackson? that will happen. key is it only happened once.

the pass defense transition from LB to Safety was just ok but that should work itself out as the season wears on.

Now for the real test. teams have tape of us now and can start screaming for the new defense.

but week one i am very happy so far.

No i am not ready to give Roy Boy credit just yet for letting the players do what they do best - attack.

"We may have lost the game, but you'll be hurting tomorrow." Doug Atkins

Mr.Riaton

RISE UP! and get the hell out of our dome losers!

Well done D! Keep it going.....FINISH STRONG!

Rugby Saint II

Imagine if we had our IR players on the field what could happen.

homerj07

Great game. Great third down defense. Great final play.

Too many yards & that last drive was starting to look 1989 familiar.

Some of the guys on the live chat had thrown in the towel but I was ready to give them the benefit until the last & they came through.

If this keeps up I will relax. But one game does not a defense make.

QBREES9

I know it's just one game, I'm a fan of Rob Ryan.