Falcons linebacker Curtis Lofton pounded his fist into the
Louisiana Superdome turf after Pierre Thomas bowled over him for a first down.
The game-sealing carry provided the perfect punctuation for the Saints’
undrafted, second-year running back following the most important performance of
his young career.
Thomas rushed for 102 yards and scored two touchdowns, helping New Orleans keep
alive slim playoff hopes with a 29-25 victory over division rival Atlanta on
Sunday.
“He’s a great young talent. He comes up big for us when need be,” Saints
fullback Mike Karney said. “He had to earn his way and get a feel for what’s
going on. He’s done that and the coaches are going to him.”
Thomas scored his first touchdown on a 7-yard screen early in the fourth
quarter. He powered in for the winning touchdown on a 5-yard toss sweep,
bouncing over offensive lineman Carl Nicks as he stretched for the goal line.
Thomas also set up that last score with an 88-yard kickoff return after Matt
Ryan’s 12-yard scramble had given the Falcons a 25-22 lead with 7:51 to go...
Drew Brees passed to Reggie Bush to the right for 5 yard
gain (Garrett Hartley made PAT)
0 - 7
2nd Quarter
12:05
NO
FG
Garrett Hartley kicked a 26-yard field goal
0 - 10
9:55
ATL
TD
Michael Turner rushed to the right for 5 yard gain
(Jason Elam made PAT)
7 - 10
6:10
NO
FG
Garrett Hartley kicked a 46-yard field goal
7 - 13
2:13
ATL
TD
Matt Ryan passed to Brian Finneran to the right for 2
yard gain (Jason Elam made PAT)
14 - 13
0:00
NO
FG
Garrett Hartley kicked a 25-yard field goal
14 - 16
3rd Quarter
3:06
ATL
FG
Jason Elam kicked a 23-yard field goal
17 - 16
4th Quarter
12:55
NO
TD
Drew Brees passed to Pierre Thomas to the right for 7
yard gain (2pt attempt failed, Reggie Bush run to the right)
17 - 22
7:51
ATL
TD
Matt Ryan rushed to the right for 12 yard gain (2pt
attempt converted, Matt Ryan pass to Michael Jenkins)
25 - 22
5:47
NO
TD
Pierre Thomas rushed to the left for 5 yard gain
(Garrett Hartley made PAT)
25 - 29
Team Statistics
ATL
NO
First Downs
22
23
Passing
13
14
Rushing
9
9
Penalty
0
0
Third Down Efficiency
7-12
4-10
Fourth Down Efficiency
0-0
1-1
TOTAL NET YARDS
414
414
Total Plays
63
62
Average Gain Per Play
6.6
6.7
NET YARDS RUSHING
99
184
Rushes
30
30
Average Per Rush
3.3
6.1
NET YARDS PASSING
315
230
Completions-Attempts
24-33
18-32
Yards Per Pass Play
9.5
7.2
Times Sacked
0
0
Yards Lost to Sacks
0
0
Had Intercepted
1
0
PUNTS
4
3
Average Punt
47.5
50.7
PENALTIES
5
3
Penalty Yards
34
30
FUMBLES
1
0
Fumbles Lost
0
0
TIME OF POSSESSION
32:52
27:08
Pregame Previews, Storylines,
and News
New Page 1
Preview:
The Atlanta Falcons keep
on winning, entering the
season's home stretch in the
driver's seat for a surprising
playoff berth in the NFC. The
disappointing New Orleans
Saints, meanwhile, are down to
their last gasp at staying
alive. The last-place Saints
will be desperate for a victory
at home on Sunday when the
Falcons try to complete a season
sweep of their NFC South rivals
and bolster their positioning in
a crowded playoff chase. When
Atlanta (8-4) entered the season
with a rookie starting at
quarterback and a first-year
coach guiding an overhauled
roster, it didn't seem likely
that the team would hold a
two-game edge on the
high-powered Saints (6-6)
heading into their Week 14
matchup...
Prediction: The new-look,
feel-good Falcons have won six of eight. The Saints have all that offense and
still cant win Falcons 27 - Saints 24
Video Preview: The Atlanta
Falcons are fighting for first in the NFC South, but they face a tough New
Orleans Saints team with playoff aspirations of their own. Charley Casserly and
Greg Amsinger preview the game
7.2
9.4