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    Saints Complete Their Comeback Against the Falcons, 27-26

    Tyler EschetteBy No Comments6 Mins Read
    falcons saints

    The season opener for the Saints started sluggish for the black and gold. Atlanta held a 26-10 lead at one point in the game, before New Orleans stormed all the way back to open the season 1-0. The Saints blocked a 63-yard field goal attempt by Younghoe Koe to complete their comeback against Atlanta, 27-26.

    Saints Offense Held in Check in the First Half

    Taysom Hill celebrates after scoring a touchdown
    Taysom Hill’s lone touchdown drive was the only positive for the Saints offense in the first half

    The Saints offense got off to a slow start to start the game as Atlanta forced them to a quick three-and-out. The black and gold was able to generate points on their next offensive drive thanks to Taysom Hill. Hill entered the game on a third and one from the New Orleans 32-yard line.

    He was able to break free for a 57-yard run to put the Saints in to the redzone. Hill ran it in for a 11-yard touchdown to put New Orleans up 7-3 with 5:44 left in the first quarter.

    New Orleans’ offense was set up with great field position on their next drive as the defense was able to force a turnover. The Saints weren’t able to pick up a third and six, so they elected to take the points. Will Lutz’s 44-yard field goal hit off the left upright and kept the Saints off the scoreboard.

    The next three drives for the black and gold would result in them punting the ball away to Atlanta. The Falcons defensive line was able to force pressure throughout the first half. The Saints offensive line looked lost.

    Jameis Winston only threw for 24 passing yards in the first half. The offense outside of the Taysom Hill touchdown drive wasn’t able to move the ball effectively against the Falcons in the first half.

    Offense Finds Their Rhythm in the Second Half

    Michael Thomas is back in the end zone — twice — for Saints
    Michael Thomas hauls in two touchdowns in his return with the Saints

    The Saints offense would start off with the ball coming out of the locker room looking to get back into the game. New Orleans was able to drive down the field and come away with some points. Will Lutz nailed a 49-yard field goal to bring the score to 16-10 with 9:15 left in the third quarter.

    The next offensive possession would prove costly as Mark Ingram coughed up the ball. Atlanta was set up in great field position to put this game out of reach. The defense for the Saints were able to bail them out with a turnover of their own and give New Orleans the ball back.

    Jameis Winston and the offense were unable to capitalize off of Atlanta’s turnover as they were forced to a quick three-and-out.

    Winston was able to strike on their next offensive possession. The former Florida State product found Michael Thomas for a three-yard score. New Orleans would be successful on their two-point conversion as Winston found Chris Olave for the two-point try to cut the Falcons lead to 26-18 with 12:41 left in the game.

    The Saints would start on the Atlanta nine-yard line and would be able to find the endzone once again.  Thomas hauled in his second touchdown of the game. New Orleans wouldn’t convert on the two-point try as the Saints would cut the Falcons lead to two, 26-24.

    Winston was able to lead the Saints to another successful drive as he was able to make some timely throws. Will Lutz would convert on a 51-yard field goal to give the Saints the lead, 27-26.

    Defense for the Saints Struggles Against Atlanta’s Run Game

    Marcus Maye going through drills
    The Saints defense struggled in the first half containing Cordaralle Patterson

    The Falcons offense were the first ones to step on the field. Atlanta was able to generate an effective 10-play, 40-yard drive on their first possession. The Saints defense was able to force hold Atlanta to three points. Younghoe Koo nailed a 54-yard field goal to put the Falcons up 3-0 with 10:40 left in the first quarter.

    New Orleans was able to force Atlanta to a three-and-out to set up their offense to strike for a touchdown. The momentum continued on the defensive side for the Saints as they were able to force a turnover. Marcus Mariota found Olamide Zaccheaus for a 22-yard pitch and catch. Zacchaeus was unable to hold on to the ball as Bradley Roby scooped up the fumble.

    The Saints defense struggled to stop the run on the Falcons next offensive possession. Cordarrelle Patterson was able to find the open holes to convert several first down throughout the drive. Patterson found the endzone on a five-yard score. Atlanta would retake the 10-7 lead over New Orleans.

    The black and gold defense was able to rebound on the Falcons next possession as they were forced to punt. Atlanta was able to drive down the field on their next two drives that resulted in two field goals. Younghoe Koo nailed a 50-yard and a 40-yard field goal to put the Falcons up 16-7 at the halftime break.

    Marcus Mariota had 123 passing yards in the first half, while Cordarrelle Patterson had an effective half (12 CAR, 83 yards and a touchdown).

    Defense Shuts Down Atlanta in the Second Half

    Tyrann Mathieu at training camp
    Outside of an opening field goal for the Falcons in the second half, the Saints defense shut down the Atlanta offense

    The Falcons offense didn’t skip a beat on their first offensive possession in the second half. Atlanta went on a five-play, 75-yard drive to pile on to their lead. Most of the yards picked up on the drive was due to a 39-yard defensive pass interference on Marcus Maye.

    Marcus Mariota ran it in for a two-yard score to put the Falcons up 23-10 with 6:49 to go in the third quarter. The Falcons offense was set up with great field position after a Mark Ingram fumble, but Tyrann Mathieu was able to force a turnover.

    Atlanta continued to add to their lead on the next offensive possession as Younghoe Koo made his fourth field goal of the game. Koo nailed a 27-yard field goal to extend the Falcons lead 26-10.

    After this drive, the Saints defense was able to shutdown Atlanta’s offense for the rest of game. The Falcons had to punt on their next two offensive possessions.

    Atlanta did get another opportunity to win the game as they brought on Younghoe Koo stepped on the field for a 63-yard field goal try. Payton Turner blocked Koo’s field goal attempt as the Saints would win in a thriller, 27-26.

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