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

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

Heck of a performance considering the team played 4 days ago.

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

https://boards.atlantafalcons.com/to...-voodoo-on-us/
https://boards.atlantafalcons.com/to...e-win-tonight/
https://boards.atlantafalcons.com/to...is-a-surprise/

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

And we did enough to win...not our best performance, could be because we had a 4 day rest. I feel we will beat Dallas but wish this win could have been more resounding.

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

4 TDs and none to Kamara Ingram or Thomas
That’s amazing

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

Killed my in Fantasy but that is ok. I don't even like Fantasy. Just did it a as a favor. I have the best WR and RB in the game.

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

4 UDFAs instead. Brees makes everyone around him better.

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

Man we're getting more free rent than a political refugee. LOL

:banana:

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

MVP material ...

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

Dan Arnold played basketball and ran track. He the WAC Championship in the indoor 60m hurdles. I wanna see a Saints WR who can get some RAC yards. Catch a 5yd curl, break a tackle and take off.

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

-Effort turnovers by the defense. Davison with the hand up on the pass rush. Anzalone with hit. Lattimore chasing and tackling even with the big lead.
-No Thomas, Kamara, or Ingram TD and the Saints score 31.
-Rankins is beasting.
-The light has come on for Anzalone.
-Bell is being allowed to use his athleticism.
-Jordan is playing GREAT football.
-Bushrod has stepped up big time.
-T. Hill's effort fuels the WHOLE team I believe.
-Kamara is a man amongst lesser men.
-Brees is the MVP in a league of some very impressive most valuable players.

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

Davenport looked a little rusty, less violent. Once he gets his legs back under him, watch out!!!

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

good assessment.....

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

And no one called me out on this post? I guess my tongue and cheek went unnoticed, didn't translate to text or else you thought I was consulting with the DUDE on how to be more negative.

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

Ain't no one gonna mention that ridiculous spin move on 3rd down by Rankins?

He ate that guys lunch for 4 quarters.

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

Defensive stats worth mentioning ...

5 forced fumbles.
Held Failures to 27 yards rushing.
7 passes defended.

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

Sorry but Im still pissed about the Brees INT that should have been PI. Our defense balled out though.

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

3 red zone turnovers is huge.
Gave up a couple 4th downs we shouldn't have but limited the damage after

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

We aren’t just beating teams, we’re breaking their will.

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

https://boards.atlantafalcons.com/to...-the-big-boys/

https://66.media.tumblr.com/2d0de45f...uuqbo2_500.gif

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

I actually agree. We dominated and we weren't nearly as good as we've been. Some great performances and I loved watching the defense. It's okay to want to completely destroy the Clowns. We all do. Lol.

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

The refs definitely were not flag-happy in this game.
That 50yrd reception to Ridley deep in the 3rd Qtr, Falcons guard #71 was holding Onyemata's shoulder pads as Ryan roll-out uncontested to make that throw... I thought it was an obvious hold... no flag.

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

Yep. Cam got held a lot too.

Didn't think this was a well officiated game. Too many missed (Kirkwood PI) /non calls. Hopefully we don't see that crew in the playoffs.

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

Eli Apple pi$$ing Julio off cracks me up:

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

My kids were in and my son actually watched much of the game with me.
AND we won.... awesome sauce!!

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

I saw that during the game and started laughing. Lol.

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

Even OchoCinco thought it was funny...

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

Another observation:

Anyone else see how Matty Lice just stood there and watched (ala Scam Newton) after Marcus Williams stripped the ball from him on their first TO?

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

The reason Drew Brees is a Saint is because he dove on a fumble.....

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

That, ladies and gentlemen, is as good an impersonation of Scam as one will ever see. An act deserving of Academy Award nomination.

Re: Observations from the Saints' victory vs. FailClowns
 

My son pointed out to me. I rewound 10 times and was cracking up. Wish we could see the whole thing though.