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As Week 3 comes to a close, the Falcons had their first win on the road on a Monday night since 1979. Matt Ryan was efficient, and running backs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman kept each other in check which lead to their 45-32 victory over the Saints. Atlanta is now the early front runner for the NFC south.
The Saints were hoping to get their first win of the season, especially after an emotional start to the game. Last night’s game marked the Saint’s 10-year anniversary of returning to the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina. The two teams also formed a unity circle before the game started to take a moment of silence for the police shootings in North Carolina and Oklahoma.
The Saints received criticism on their defense, but had somewhat of an excuse. Delvin Breaux, Kenny Vaccaro, Dannell Ellerbe, Sheldon Rankins, Tyeler Davison, and P.J. Williams were all out, which was half of their defensive starters. The defense was able to sack Ryan twice, but constant pressure just wasn’t there.
The game started out even in the first quarter, but all moved downhill for the Saints from there. In the second quarter, the Falcons scored three touchdowns to which the Saints answered with only one and a field goal. In the second half, two more touchdowns and a field goal really secured things for the Falcons. The Saints answered with two more touchdowns, but it just wasn’t enough.
Atlanta’s Freeman and Coleman made the job easy for Ryan with 296 combined yards and four touchdowns. Freeman gave a viscous stiff arm and kept the Falcons ahead when he rushed for 152 yards on 14 carries, averaging 11 yards per run. Coleman had three touchdowns with one from six yards out and two from two yards out.
Our two-headed monster. #RiseUp pic.twitter.com/C9cCUsLTwv
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) September 27, 2016
Even though historically 0-3 teams don’t make big comebacks, Brees is confident in his team. Brees passed for 376 yards and three touchdowns, but a tipped pass and a muffled punt seemed to really end it for the Saints.
The Saints’ head coach Sean Payton says it’s his job to make necessary corrections. The Saints will face the Chargers in San Diego and the Falcons hope to keep their place in the NFC South against the Panthers when both teams play on Sunday.
