Falcons knock off Saints 30-14
 

The Atlanta Falcons defeated the New Orleans Saints 30-14 on Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints' loss, their fifth consecutive at home, coupled with Carolina's win over Cleveland knocked New Orleans (6-9) out of contention for the NFC South title.

The Falcons (6-9) will play Carolina next week with the winner taking the division crown.

The Saints tried to rally in the second half but a call that went in Atlanta's favor made the mountain too tall to climb. Trailing 20-7, quarterback Drew Brees hit tight end Jimmy Graham with an apparent 14-yard touchdown pass but the officials ruled he fumbled before the ball crossed the goal line and Atlanta recovered. After forcing Atlanta to punt Brees and Graham were able to connect for a 4-yard scoring strike to make it 20-14 with 5:48 to play.

But on the Saints' next possession Robert McLain intercepted Brees and Atlanta turned the turnover into a field goal and a 23-14 lead. On the Saints' final drive Brees was sacked and lost a fumble that was returned 86 yards by Osi Umenyiora for a touchdown as time expired.

It was one of four turnovers by the Saints (two interceptions, two lost fumbles) while the Saints' defense didn't force any Atlanta turnovers.

The Saints led 7-0 early thanks to Jalen Saunders' 99-yard return of the opening kickoff to set up a 1-yard Mark Ingram touchdown but Atlanta chipped away at the lead with a couple of field goals and a 3-yard shuffle pass to Eric Weems for a score and 13-7 halftime lead that they were able to protect.

The Saints played without starting left tackle Terron Armstead and Atlanta was able get consistent pressure on Brees. He finished 30 of 47 for 313 yards with one TD and the two interceptions. Mark Ingram was the leading rusher with 13 carries for 38 yards. Marques Colston had six receptions for 80 yards, Kenny Stills added six receptions for 68 yards. Tight end Jimmy Graham added six catches for 53 yards and the touchdown.

Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan was 30 of 40 for 322 yards with one touchdown. Julio Jones had seven receptions for 107 yards. Atlanta finished with five sacks.

The Saints will end their season next Sunday at Tampa Bay.

Falcons knock off Saints 30-14

Re: Falcons knock off Saints 30-14
 

I know I know. There's defense, special teams, and other offensive players on the field as well... blah blah. Regardless, I just want to punch Drew in the face. That is all.

Re: Falcons knock off Saints 30-14
 

so glad this bull**** of a season is over

Re: Falcons knock off Saints 30-14
 

I knew he was going to throw a god damn interception on that drive....just freakin knew it..Clean house, lets start over

Re: Falcons knock off Saints 30-14
 

I don't know about all that but we certainly need to play better. Looking forward to a healthy and better 2015.

Re: Falcons knock off Saints 30-14
 

The disappointing thing was that the even though Armstead was out, it was the interior line that failed Brees the most

I've never liked Ben Grubbs, he's been overrated since he came here, if we paid Carl Nicks what he deserved I think he'd still be in the league now performing at a high level for us

Jahri, Grubbs and Goodwin need to go.

Re: Falcons knock off Saints 30-14
 

Half of those sacks were on Drew... but the interior pressure was extremely disappointing.

Re: Falcons knock off Saints 30-14
 

Don't let spkb read this, he will dissect it at all angles then call you dumb if you don't see it his way. Brees is a god and spkb is his little minion

Re: Falcons knock off Saints 30-14
 

Hagereman was the guy I wanted last season.As far as our pass rush it was terrible. As far as our O, they can't say they did not have their chances because they had plenty of them. On to Tampa I would like to get to see what Griffin has along with the rest of our 2nd and 3rd tier players have in them, and even if we get beat, so what, there is always next season.

Re: Falcons knock off Saints 30-14
 

I am tired of Payton trying his Jedi mind tricks. Training camp at a resort. Changes the team hotel before today's game.

Re: Falcons knock off Saints 30-14
 

We made history today. First time any team went for it on 4th and 9 in the First Quarter.

Horrible, Horrible coaching.

It takes quite a bit out of the game when you absolutely know that #22 will absolutely get the football on absolutely every First Down play.

Our play-calling is high school caliber.

We did not deserve to win today nor did we deserve to host a real football team in the playoffs.

Re: Falcons knock off Saints 30-14
 

We have some positives to build on.......I just can't think of any right now!

Re: Falcons knock off Saints 30-14
 

Lets move on.

Re: Falcons knock off Saints 30-14
 

I can (think of one). It has nothing to do with the Saints. It is to do with the "system" of the NFL. The Saints cannot be relegated. So does badly this year and ultimately it is ho-hum, we can come back again next year, and the next, and the next.
The fixtures, the money, the publicity - they are all guaranteed.

On the other side there are some players, maybe most players, and all the fans who get choked up when the team does not meet their expectations.

No matter. Saints will be back in the NFC South, game schedule sorted, selling tickets, being sponsored, selling merchandise, getting television airtime.

Re: Falcons knock off Saints 30-14
 

teddy, I sent you a PM.

Re: Falcons knock off Saints 30-14
 

lets just admit it now, we let the 31st ranked defense in the nfl look like it was loaded with all pros. The defense made the falcons UDFA on the OL look like all pros in the making.

swept by the falcons? does not get any worse than this

Re: Falcons knock off Saints 30-14
 

We are not that quick strike O that is for sure.

Re: Falcons knock off Saints 30-14
 

"We may have lost the game, but they are feeling it today!" Ahhhh, how consoling, that's something to treasure during the off season!!! Please let's go 0 -16 next year!!! Oh how the other teams will feel it!!!

Re: Falcons knock off Saints 30-14
 

Yes, dominated on both sides of the line. Simple truth.

Re: Falcons knock off Saints 30-14
 

Brees was off. Payton was off, RR was off, the secondary and D line were way off, Colston was off, Evans and Grubbs were off. Payton doesn't seem as fiery as he used to be. Maybe 2012 took away the edge the team needs?

A D that goes from 4 to 31 in 1 year with mostly the same people is what cost us the most. 1st ATL game, Cleveland, Detroit, and San Fran were all on the D and we would be NFCS champs already. Gotta start hot and finish strong.