Saints vs. Falcons: 6 Things We Learned About New Orleans in Their 26-23 Win

Drew Brees to Jimmy Graham ... Drew Brees to Marques Colston ... Drew Brees to Jimmy Graham ... Drew Brees to Marques Colston.  

It seemed to happen quite a bit Sunday afternoon at the Georgia Dome, much to the dismay of Mike Smith and the Atlanta Falcons. 

In a game where yards and points were tough to come by, Drew Brees and the Saints were methodical and efficient enough to beat the Falcons at their own game. 

It was an overtime contest, but the Saints took care of business. 

Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better

The Falcons prefer to play games in the 20s. Sunday the Saints acquiesced to their request, yet did it better than the Falcons. In fact, the teams nearly mirrored each other, as both teams hit explosive pass plays in the middle stanzas yet failed to capitalize on field goal opportunities. 

But In the second half, the Saints got back to running the football--which I thought they'd do the entire game. Pierre Thomas had his best game rushing this season. 

And the Saints defense mostly bottled up Atlanta running back Michael Turner. Or at least they made life tough on Turner. 

Pressure Is the Key to Success

Though the Saints were unable to get Matt Ryan down on the ground more than once, the constant pressure placed upon him by the defensive line and blitzing safeties led to some poor throws and had the receivers dropping easy catches. 

It also led to an interception--which the Saints converted into a field goal. 

The Falcons began to figure out the Saints' schemes near the end of the game, but it was essentially too little too late. 

Tipped Passes Help Lead the Way

Cameron Jordan and Jonathan Casillas had key tipped passes against Matt Ryan which got the Saints defense off the field. 

Casillas' came in overtime, and though the Saints did not capitalize on that particular drive it gave them momentum they needed going forward to stop the Falcons on the second key overtime drive. 

Saints Can Do It with Defense

Sure the Saints blew that end of regulation drive and gave up points to allow the game to go to overtime. But even then they stepped up and kept Atlanta out of the end zone when they had a really good shot at scoring. 

The key was to play coverage on third down in the red zone, after blitzing the entire drive. It was a brilliant call. 

Then in overtime, the unit didn't allow a first down in two drives--mainly because of exceptional pressure. 

The fourth down stop came when Malcolm Jenkins came untouched through the "C" gap, held Michael Turner up and allowed the rest of the defense to swarm in time to stop him from getting to the first down marker. 

It wasn't pretty--they missed some assignments, and some tackles--but the defense stepped up when it had to.

November Is the Month of the Saints

In case you missed it, the Saints have not lost a game in November dating back to 2009. 

The NFL might as well rename November New Orleans' month. It's too bad the Saints have a bye next week, as they lose a game in their favorite month. 

Nonetheless, they have two more games in November to win. Expect the Saints to exit November a 7-3 football team. 

Saints Rock the Falcons and the NFC South

As John Kasay's final field goal attempt when straight through the uprights, it was official--the Saints rock the Falcons and the NFC South. 

With the victory over the Falcons, the Saints become the most likely team to win the NFC South. Sure they still have three tough games left, but they hold the advantage over Atlanta. 

Most importantly, Atlanta knows they outplayed the Saints in many facets of the game Sunday, yet they still couldn't beat the Saints. 

The psychological advantage the Saints hold over Atlanta now is probably more important even than the advantage they hold over them in the standings. Because even if the two are still close when the teams play the night after Christmas on Monday Night Football, the Falcons know they have no chance to win that game.