Atlanta Falcons' Overtime Win at New Orleans Has Them Brimming with Confidence

While many teams meddle with identity crises three weeks into the NFL season, the Falcons feel like they are getting a better feel for what kind of team they are.

After posting back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history last season, the Falcons are out to show the league that they are legitimate, perennial playoff contenders, and that started with a 27-24 overtime win at New Orleans Sunday afternoon.

They have posted back-to-back 100-yard rushers the last two weeks. Matt Ryan looks to be back to his Offensive Rookie of the year form, having completed 63.2 percent of his passes with five touchdowns and one interception on the year. Roddy White is proving that he’s a legitimate go-to receiver with 25 catches for 258 yards and two touchdowns through three games.

And taking down the defending Super Bowl champs in their own building makes a statement.

“I told the guys that you’ve got to fight through adversity to win games in this league,” head coach Mike Smith said. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of the men in our locker room and the members of our football team. We fought our tails off today. That was a hard fought game.”

Hard-fought to the tune of 815 total yards and 51 points.

The Falcons are now 11-0 when Matt Ryan has a quarterback rating over 100.0, and with two 0-3 teams in the 49ers and Browns next on the schedule, they could be 4-1 and atop the NFC South before you know it.

They still have two dates with Carolina (0-3), two games against the Buccaneers, who were 3-13 last season, and a meeting with the Rams, who won just one game a year ago.

Given the schedule and how high the Falcons are flying after taking down the Saints, the sky seems to be the limit for Matt Ryan and company.

“This is a huge victory for us,” said Ryan. “We have a lot of high expectations of ourselves and we fought the entire game to get us in position to win it at the end. This was team win and I am so proud how we converted most third downs. That was a huge factor throughout the game, keeping our drives moving and also running down the clock.

“This is a huge confidence builder for us. And I am glad we were able to execute when we had a chance.”

The Falcons look to improve to 3-1 when they host the bewildered 49ers Sunday at 1 p.m. EDT.

This article can also be found at www.footballnewsnow.com.