The Big-Not-So-Easy: Saints Down Falcons 29-25

It all came down to two fourth downs.

One worked and one didn't.

The Atlanta Falcons on Sunday found themselves on the wrong side of their fourth-down conversion as well as the game, losing 29-25 to the New Orleans Saints.

Quarterback Matt Ryan controlled the Falcons' offense, reminding everyone once again that he's not your typical rookie. However, things didn't start out so well for Ryan.

During Atlanta's first possession, the quarterback was intercepted by cornerback Jason David. David timed the Ryan pass well and jumped the route in front of receiver Roddy White.

To that point Ryan and the Falcons were moving the ball well. When the interception occurred, Atlanta was on New Orleans' 26-yard line and headed toward the first score of the game and that fast start that has become synonymous with Atlanta's offense.

After the turnover, it took the Saints three plays to find the end zone, one of which was a Reggie Bush run for 43 yards. The running back was playing in his second game since missing four weeks with a knee injury, but the knee was clearly not hampering him as he ran for his longest scamper of the year.

He added to it a five-yard touchdown reception to cap the drive. It appeared that the offensive balance New Orleans lacked in the first meeting of these two teams was present thus far.

The Falcons inability to make New Orleans' one-dimensional was their ultimate downfall. In a game that showcased seven lead changes, three of which came in the fourth quarter, the failure on defense proved to be critical.

In the fourth quarter, following an impressive 12-yard touchdown run for Ryan and a successful two-point conversion Atlanta regained a three point lead.

But Saints running back Pierre Thomas, who had an outstanding game (102 yards rushing, one receiving touchdown and one rushing touchdown), gave the Superdome crowd some quick hope with an 88-yard kick return.

Falcons' coach Mike Smith was not happy with the breakdown of his special teams unit, "It’s very disappointing that we weren’t able to cover that kick more efficiently and make them, at least go a long way. We put ourselves on a short field.”

Atlanta's bending defense seemed to be holding itself together though, forcing the Saints into a critical fourth-and-1 situation.

Down by three on Atlanta's seven yard line, Saints coach Sean Payton decided to go for six rather than take the tie. Fullback Mike Karney converted the fourth down and one play later, Thomas rushed for the touchdown.

On his run, he seemed to want the end zone more than the Falcons were willing to protect it, rolling over a Saints player, stretching out his body, while on his back, and breaking the end zone plane.

Atlanta took over with 5:41 remaining and Ryan, who had managed the team's offense brilliantly, had a confident look in his eye. Would there be more late game heroics in this memorable season?

The first play was discouraging as lucky-just-to-be-there defensive end Will Smith went in the backfield unblocked and waited for running back Michael Turner for a five-yard loss. Ryan converted the second down with a pass to receiver Michael Jenkins.

But then the Falcons found themselves in a 4th-and-5 situation with just over three minutes remaining. The offense had been moving the ball well all game, the Saints' corner backs having few answers as Ryan picked them apart.

The running game wasn't quite as effective (Turner only rushed for 61 yards with one touchdown) as it typically is but the consensus feeling was that Atlanta had to go for it and could likely convert.

Coach Smith decided to punt away to the Saints and put the game in the hands of his defense. A defense that managed to contain some of the Saints offensive firepower but was either tiring or simply incapable of stopping the Saints running game. It was a questionable decision by Smith and one that he will clearly reconsider on Monday.

With only two timeouts (the third lost during a challenge of the spotting of the ball on the New Orleans' first down conversion) Atlanta's only hope was to stop the Saints quickly. Six plays and three first downs later the Falcons defense faced the if-you-give-this-up-it's-over-before-it's-over play on third-and-3.

Thomas converted with a four-yard run and Falcons' rookie middle linebacker Curtis Lofton punched the ground in frustration, knowing that his team had lost the game and their playoff hopes had taken a significant blow.

Despite career days from Ryan and White, 10 catches for 164 yards, the Falcons losing effort finds themselves on the outside looking in at the moment. The loss puts Atlanta in the seventh spot in the playoff picture, one notch behind Dallas.

Ryan said of his team's outlook, "Obviously, we're frustrated with the outcome. But this team hasn't given up all year...We still have everything that we want in front of us. We're capable of getting into the playoffs."

Capable? Certainly. But a three-game win streak and a little help will be necessary.