Atlanta Falcons unbeaten run ends at New Orleans Saints with 31-27 defeat - NFL Recap
The Atlanta Falcons are unbeaten no more after a passionate and intense game against fierce National Football Conference (NFC) South rivals, New Orleans Saints saw the Falcons succumb to a 31-27 defeat.
Arriving into the game with an 8-0 record the Falcons were the favourites for a big win over their division rivals who have struggled massively in the first half of the 2012/13 season.
However, things didn’t go according to plan for Atlanta as the Saints dug deep and even as Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan put up his best figures of the season, New Orleans managed to outscore them and take home a confidence boosting win.
Tight ends ruled the roost in this game as both New Orleans’ Jimmy Graham and Atlanta’s Tony Gonzalez delivered massive performances.
The game was decided right at the death when Saints defenseman Jabari Greer made a touchdown saving pass breakup to stop Atlanta’s wide receiver Roddy White from winning the game for the Falcons.
Ryan passed for 411 yards and three touchdowns in this game but could not connect with White on fourth down for the game winning points.
Speaking about the game he said:
"I could put that ball in a better spot -- a little higher and more in front of him to give him a chance to catch it. We've always played them tough and haven't had the outcomes we wanted."
Falcons head coach Mike Smith saw his poor results against the Saints continue with his record coming down to 2-7 against New Orleans since he took up head coaching duties.
Visibly frustrated with the result he said:
"It's very frustrating. We were close. ... This will be something we will learn from."
Saints quarterback Drew Brees passed for 298 yards and three touchdowns to help the Saints get their challenge for a playoff spot back on track.
He was ecstatic with the win and said:
"That's something we feel like we're capable of and we envisioned being able to do that, because we know the type of team we have.”
Intensity was high right from the start and by the end of the third quarter New Orleans were up by a comfortable 28-17.
However, the Falcons struck back in the fourth with Gonzalez scoring his second touchdown of the night converting a six-yard pass from Ryan.
Kicker Matt Bryant got Atlanta to within one point of New Orleans with a 20-yard field goal at the nine minute mark.
New Orleans though increased their advantage four minutes later with Brees getting them into field goal range and kicker Garrett Hartley scored from 31 yards to make it 31-27.
With less than six minutes to go the Falcons gave their all for a winning touchdown.
Ryan pushed the Falcons forward and with a nine-yard pass to Harry Douglas the Falcons were at second and goal at the one yard mark.
The quarterback then failed to connect with Gonzalez and on third down running back Michael Turner was stuffed.
Fourth down saw Greer made his game saving pass breakup giving the Falcons their first defeat of the season.
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