Saints Run the Ball to Victory: Hell Reports Snow Flurries

Pierre Thomas lobbied to Sean Payton all week to let him prove that he can run the ball effectively.

Apparently his words did not go without notice.

Thomas carried the ball 16 times for 102 yards and a touchdown as the New Orleans Saints beat the Atlanta Falcons 29-25. 

Thomas was Mr. Everything for the Saints, as he also caught a pass for a touchdown and returned a fourth quarter kickoff 88 yards to set up the Saints' final score.

The Saints rolled up a season-high 184 yards on the ground.  Reggie Bush contributed 80 yards on just 10 carries.  He had a 43-yard carry in the first quarter to set up the Saints' first touchdown.

The Saints won despite an unBrees-like performance.  Drew Brees completed 56 percent of his passes for only 230 yards. 

While the Saints entered Sunday's game against the Falcons throwing the ball on nearly 63 percent of their plays, New Orleans ran the ball on 30 of the 62 offensive plays against Atlanta.

Now the Saints (7-6) head to Chicago—for a Thursday night game in predicted 10-degree temperatures—still not mathematically out of the playoffs.  And Thomas, who had his breakout game last year in Chicago as he racked up over 100 yards both rushing and receiving, can go there with confidence.

The Saints will need more of the same—and some more of Brees—against the Bears.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?