New Orleans Saints 30-20 Atlanta Falcons: Dreadful Falcons fold like a cheap suit
The Game
Taysom Hill started at quarterback for the New Orleans Saints. They opened the game on offense and orchestrated a dream drive. A run heavy approach saw Alvin Kamara pop off a 27 yard run to get the Saints in to Falcons territory. On a playaction pass, Hill found Adam Trautman, who lost Deion Jones in coverage; Trautman scampered into the endzone for an 18 yard score to give the Saints a 7-0 lead. They'd hold the lead for the rest of the game.
Atlanta's responding drive resulted in a Younghoe Koo field goal. A beautiful Matt Ryan pass to Russell Gage got the Falcons into Saints territory. The Falcons had to settle for a field goal because of a third down sack from Marcus Davenport and David Onyemata.
Saints Kicker Brett Maher missed a 34 yard field goal kick to keep the score at 7-3. On the Falcons following drive, a third down conversion to Olamide Zaccheaus was the key play that set up a second Younghoe Koo field goal. This narrowed the deficit to 7-6. New Orleans would take over the game from here on in. They didn't allow Atlanta to score another point in the first half.
Taysom Hill got the Saints to the Atlanta 25 yard line, before he would be ruled out of the game with a lisfranc injury. It was unfortunate for Hill, as he was having his best game of the season upto that point. Trevor Siemian took over for Hill and with his second pass, he threw a touchdown to Tre'Quan Smith. Smith ran a fade route and proceeded to "Moss" Fabian Moreau for a 13 yard score. It was a rough series for Moreau, because he had been penalized for pass interference the play before too. Smith had a breakout game, hauling in 5 passes for 76 yards and a score.
On the Falcons next drive, Matt Ryan tried to go deep to Russell Gage on the first play from scrimmage, but Paulson Adebo pulled off an incredible one handed interception. It was a great play by the Saints rookie corner, definitely one of the best interceptions in the NFL this season. Atlanta managed to stiffen the Saints offense in the redzone. Brett Maher made no mistake this time to extend the lead to 17-6.
The Falcons ran their two minute offense in an attempt to score just before the half, but this was scuppered due to a Mike Davis fumble. The Saints recovered, giving them possession in the Falcons redzone. It was the second consecutive drive that ended in a turnover on the first play from scrimmage for Arthur Smith's side.
Siemian threw his second touchdown of the half, this time to Juwan Johnson, over the middle with just 5 seconds left in the half. It was a sucker punch for the Falcons. It left the score at 24-6 to New Orleans at half time.
The Falcons defense managed to turn the ball over on downs near midfield early in the third quarter, It was vital that Atlanta capitalised on this with a touchdown. They managed to get to the Saints 8, before facing a 4th and 2. Arthur Smith decided to go for it, which was the right decision. The playcall however was woeful. An attempted shovel pass to Qadree Ollison was batted down with ease by Cam Jordan. Surely you should dial up a play to Kyle Pitts, Cordarelle Patterson or Russell Gage in this situation. Ollison finished the season with one reception for a grand total of 7 yards and you're calling his number on the games biggest play? Beyond stupid.
That man Ollison would run in a 19 yard touchdown to give the Falcons a glimmer of hope and cut the deficit to 11. 24-13. The Saints dominated in the trenches. They controlled the clock for over 39 minutes keeping the ball away from Matt Ryan and Co. This was on display as they responded with a 6 minute 50 second field goal drive, that left the Falcons down two touchdowns with only 10 minutes left to play.
Mike Davis would ultimately fumble again. The third Falcons turnover and the third on the opening play from scrimmage of a drive. It was the the final nail in Atlanta's coffin. New Orleans had to settle for a third Maher field goal but the game was won. 30-13. A garbage time Russell Gage 1 yard touchdown catch would make the scoreline look more respectable at 30-20, but make no mistake, this was men against boys.
Falcons linebacker Foye Oloukun finished the season as the NFL's leading tackler with 192 tackles. Rookie tightend Kyle Pitts failed to break Mike Ditkas rookie receiving yards record (1,076) for tightends, falling just 51 yards shy. Pitts finished with the 7th most receiving yards for a player aged 21 in NFL history.
Falcons MVP
Russell Gage: The former LSU Tiger stepped up in an impressive manner in the second half of the season. Matt Ryan started to trust him more. Gage is a free agent this offseason, but indicated that he would like to stay in Atlanta. Gage was PFF's highest graded Falcon on Sunday with a 90.9 overall grade. He hauled in 9 of his 13 targets on Sunday, including this beauty during the first quarter on 2th and 14 for a gain of 26 yards.
Falcons Positives
Chris Lindstrom: Falcons right guard Chris Lindstrom, was the only starting guard in the NFL, that didn't allow a sack this season. His play deserves recognition. It truly is astonishing the disparity between the Falcons two starting guards. Left guard Jalen Mayfield allowed the most sacks amongst guards in the NFL.
AJ Terrell: Terrell was robbed of a pro bowl berth. Per PFF, in his 17 games this year, Terrell allowed just 200 yards in coverage. That's an average of 11.7 per game. If the Falcons can get a quality corner back opposite Terrell it would do wonders for the defence. Terrell allowed the lowest completion percentage (43.9%), as well as the lowest passer rating amongst cornerbacks (47.5).
Falcons Negatives
Defensive Line: I sound like a broken record, but the Falcons defensive line needs major improvement. As a team Atlanta had a pathetic 18 sacks in 17 games. The worst in the NFL. They had 9 less sacks, then the second worst team. They allowed New Orleans to rush for 195 yards. It is near impossible to win in the NFL, when you're allowing that many yards on the ground. Over the last four weeks we allowed 180 rushing yards per game.
Pass Blocking: The Falcons gave up three sacks to the Saints. It has been a staple of the Arthur Smith's offense to crumble this season, when behind on the scoreboard and in obvious passing situations. The Falcons allowed 130 quarterback hits this season, which is the most in the NFL. 16 more then the next worst team in Chicago and a staggering 72 more then divisional rivals Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Is there any wonder why Tom Brady looks so good?
Offensive playcalling: I'm going to give Arthur Smith time, but it is very concerning at how bland his offense has looked in year one. We're a run first, dink and dunk offense. He didn't do a good job of scheming guys open. His play calling has been very passive. A lack of deep shots was evident. More creativity is needed next season regardless of who we have at the receiver positions. Detroit beat Green Bay in week 18 thanks to some trick plays. Arthur Smith should take some notes from Dan Campbell.
What Arthur Smith had to say
Arthur Smith: "I feel like we built a good foundation and that there are better days ahead."
On whether Matt Ryan will be the Falcons quarterback next season, Smith had this to say: "Matt knows how we feel about him. But you're not going to get a hot take from me today to back ourselves into a corner. We do a fair evaluation top to bottom."
Box Score
New Orleans Saints
Passing: Trevor Siemian 9/15 for 71 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, 111.4 passer rating.
Rushing: Alvin Kamara 30 carries for 146 yards and no touchdowns.
Receiving: Tre'Quan Smith 5 receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown.
Atlanta Falcons
Passing: Matt Ryan 20/33 for 216 yards, one touchdown and one interception, 77.3 passer rating.
Rushing: Mike Davis 6 carries for 30 yards and no touchdown.
Receiving: Russell Gage 9 receptions for 126 yards and a touchdown.
Highlights
The highlights of the game are available on youtube here
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