Saints-Falcons: New Orleans Falls to 4-5 After 34-20 Thumping By Falcons

Kyle T. MosleyNov 9, 2008

Before the game started, the big question was how well newly-signed Kicker Garrett Huntley would do. As it turns out, Huntley was perfect for the day but you couldn’t say the same for the rest of the team with the exceptions of Brees and Colston who had outstanding days.

Drew Brees continued his passing streak finishing the day with 422 yards, completing 31 of 58, with two touchdowns and three interceptions while Atlanta QB Matt Ryan had 248 yards, making 16 of 23, with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

This was the seventh 300 plus yard game this season for Drew Brees. It was also his second 400-plus yard game of the season and his highest yardage. Brees threw for 421 yards in the week three loss to Denver.

In the first half, Atlanta made touchdowns while New Orleans could only make field goals. The Saints started their first possession of the game by throwing a deep pass to WR Devery Henderson in double coverage that was intercepted by Safety Erik Coleman.

Starting from midfield on their next possession, Atlanta quickly drove down to the red zone and made their first touchdown of the day with a 16-yard pass to WR Roddy White.

A long drive for New Orleans on their next possession resulted in a 24-yard field goal by newly signed Kicker Garrett Hartley. Atlanta answered by driving down from their 20 to a RB Michael Turner two-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter. Following the only sack of the first half, New Orleans was then forced to kick a 44-yard field goal midway through the quarter.

Atlanta answered back again with their own field goal from 22 yards, making the score at halftime, 17-6 Atlanta, with Atlanta also leading in total yards and time of possession.

The one bright spot at halftime was that the Saints had outrushed the Falcons 87 to 55 yards, the difference maker being Devery Henderson leading the Saints with a 30-yard run on one play.

The second half started out pretty quietly, with the only score in the third quarter being a 27-yard field goal for Atlanta to cap a long 60-yard drive which took 13 plays and eight-and-a-half minutes. After shutting New Orleans down on their next possession, Atlanta then started out the fourth quarter, scoring quickly with a short pass to RB Jerious Norwood, who then turned it into a 67-yard play and a touchdown to put Atlanta ahead 27-6.

On their first possession of the fourth quarter, New Orleans was able to make a crucial play on 4th-and-1 that led the team to make their first touchdown of the game on a short pass to Deuce McAllister, who jogged 15 yards into the end zone. This was the first receiving touchdown for McAllister since 2002.

After flubbing the on-side kick, the Saints' defense held tight, forcing the Falcons to go three and out. New Orleans also ran into trouble on their next possession, going for it on 4th-and-5 and making it with a 19-yard pass to David Patten. The drive ended when Brees threw a pass intended for Lance Moore that was intercepted in the end zone by Falcons CB Chris Houston.

New Orleans drove down the field again within the last two minutes of the game, making it to the five-yard line but Brees was intercepted again, this time by Chevis Jackson, who ran 95 yards for a touchdown with a minute and a half left in the game.

New Orleans finished the game with a hail mary pass into the end zone that gave them their second touchdown, as time expired.

Probably the best news of the game was the return of Marques Colston as a receiving threat. He had 140 yards on seven catches. Lance Moore had 76 yards and a touchdown and TE Billy Miller had 65 yards.

The Saints were not able to establish much of a rushing game as Henderson led with his 30 yards.

Coach Payton continued to call challenges at questionable points in the game, losing a challenge that Atlanta RB Michael Turner made the first down on a two-yard run in the third quarter. CB Mike McKenzie injured his right knee late in in the third quarter and had to be carted off the field. He did not return.

New Orleans will face Kansas City next week as they try to improve from their four-and-five record.

Saints Fall to 4-5 After 34-20 Thumping by Falcons