New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns

Even the New Orleans Saints’ chief rivals couldn’t keep a game close during what has been an incredible hot streak.

The Saints beat the Atlanta Falcons, 31-17, on Thursday night to extend their winning streak to 10 games.

In the first Thanksgiving game ever at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the Saints roasted the Dirty Birds as the defense repeatedly stuffed the Atlanta offense, posting season highs with four turnovers and five sacks.

The Saints offense was pretty good, too, as quarterback Drew Brees threw four touchdowns, and the team averaged 4.8 yards per carry.

The Saints (10-1) will try to extend their winning streak to 11 next Thursday when they visit the Dallas Cowboys (6-5).

What went right: This was the most impactful defensive performance of the year as the Saints repeatedly disrupted what looked like promising drives for the Falcons. The Saints forced four fumbles in the red zone and recovered three of them, and scores on those drives would’ve significantly altered the game.

Several defensive players made key plays, but defensive end Cameron Jordan produced the most impressive stat line with two sacks and three tackles for loss.

Safety Marcus Williams had a sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery, all on the same play. Linebacker Demario Davis had a sack, forced fumble, tackle for loss and four quarterback hits. Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins had a sack and two tackles for loss. Cornerbacks P.J. Williams and Marshon Lattimore both forced fumbles while cornerback Eli Apple and safety Vonn Bell each recovered a fumble.

The Saints also held the Falcons to just 1.6 yards per carry, and two scrambles by quarterback Matt Ryan totaling 16 made Atlanta’s running numbers look better than they would’ve otherwise.

Offensively, Brees was efficient again even if he didn’t have his typical production. He completed 15 of 22 passes for 171 yards with four touchdowns, one interception and a 111.9 passer rating.

All of those touchdowns went to undrafted players — Tommylee Lewis, Austin Carr, Dan Arnold and Keith Kirkwood.

What went wrong: Brees’ interception was a stunner as he’d thrown just one other this season. The turnover happened when he was looking for Kirkwood down the sideline in the first quarter, and Falcons safety Damontae Kazee picked it off.

The Saints also had to punt three times, which is the most since Week 3.

Player of the game: Jordan

In case you missed it: Rookie defensive end Marcus Davenport made his return after missing the previous three games. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall was inactive again and has yet to make his Saints debut.

Arnold became the 50th Saints player to catch a touchdown from Brees.

NOLA