Drew Brees was the NFL’s most prolific passer. He was no match
for the Falcons’ defense.
While rookie Matt Ryan put in another solid day, Brees threw a season-high three
interceptions, the last of them returned 95 yards for a touchdown by Chevis
Jackson, and Atlanta beat up on the New Orleans Saints 34-20 Sunday.
Ryan threw two touchdown passes for the Falcons (6-3), who won for the fourth
time in five games to remain in the thick of the playoff race. The Saints (4-5)
again failed to put together their first winning streak of the season.
Ryan connected with Roddy White for a 16-yard touchdown on the Falcons’ second
possession, then broke it open with a short pass to Jerious Norwood that the
speedy running back took for a 67-yard touchdown in the opening minute of the
fourth quarter for a 27-6 lead.
Jackson finished off New Orleans with the second-longest interception return for
a touchdown in Falcons’ history. He stepped in front of a pass at the 5 and took
off down the sideline with no one else around, high-stepping right in front of
the New Orleans bench...more
Scoring Summary
NO - ATL
1st Quarter
9:07
ATL
TD
Matt Ryan passed to Roddy White down the middle for 16
yard gain (Jason Elam made PAT)
0 - 7
2:15
NO
FG
Garrett Hartley kicked a 24-yard field goal
3 - 7
2nd Quarter
12:04
ATL
TD
Michael Turner rushed to the left for 2 yard gain (Jason
Elam made PAT)
3 - 14
8:33
NO
FG
Garrett Hartley kicked a 44-yard field goal
6 - 14
3:05
ATL
FG
Jason Elam kicked a 22-yard field goal
6 - 17
3rd Quarter
2:06
ATL
FG
Jason Elam kicked a 27-yard field goal
6 - 20
4th Quarter
14:40
ATL
TD
Matt Ryan passed to Jerious Norwood to the right for 67
yard gain (Jason Elam made PAT)
6 - 27
9:54
NO
TD
Drew Brees passed to Deuce McAllister to the right for
15 yard gain (Garrett Hartley made PAT)
13 - 27
1:17
ATL
TD
Chevis Jackson intercepted Drew Brees for 95 yards
(Jason Elam made PAT)
13 - 34
0:00
NO
TD
Drew Brees passed to Lance Moore to the right for 32
yard gain (Garrett Hartley made PAT)
20 - 34
Team Statistics
NO
ATL
First Downs
24
18
Passing
19
11
Rushing
5
6
Penalty
0
1
Third Down Efficiency
7-15
5-11
Fourth Down Efficiency
2-3
0-0
TOTAL NET YARDS
521
361
Total Plays
76
59
Average Gain Per Play
6.9
6.1
NET YARDS RUSHING
105
113
Rushes
17
36
Average Per Rush
6.2
3.1
NET YARDS PASSING
416
248
Completions-Attempts
31-58
16-23
Yards Per Pass Play
7.1
10.8
Times Sacked
1
0
Yards Lost to Sacks
6
0
Had Intercepted
3
0
PUNTS
3
4
Average Punt
48.3
35.3
PENALTIES
7
2
Penalty Yards
45
25
FUMBLES
1
0
Fumbles Lost
0
0
TIME OF POSSESSION
28:48
31:12
Pregame Previews, Storylines,
and News
New Page 1
Preview:
A season's worth of
adversity dimmed the New Orleans
Saints' high hopes for the first
half of 2008, and the second
half isn't off to a great start
with key players still
sidelined. The Atlanta Falcons,
meanwhile, have a surprisingly
rosy outlook after taking
advantage of a soft schedule to
reach the midway point in much
better shape than expected. The
Saints look to overcome
continued personnel issues and
record back-to-back victories
for the first time this season
while the Falcons hope to
continue their surprising play
as the NFC South rivals square
off at the Georgia Dome on
Sunday...more
Pick: Drew Brees is well on
his way to breaking some NFL passing records this season, but Atlanta's defense
is pretty good and the Falcons play well at home.
The Saints have a had a week off and should be the better rested one, making
their offense even harder to keep up with but something tells us the Falcons
pull this one out. Ryan and company are coming off a commanding 24-0 win
over the hapless Raiders, whose defense is actually ranked higher than New
Orleans'. Saints 27 - Falcons 30
Video Preview:
The Saints look to record
back-to-back victories for the first time this year while the Falcons hope to
continue their surprising play. Jason Horowitz and Charley Casserly break down
of this game
11.8
10.4