Last night, in what was actually a pretty close game – surprisingly close, for Saints fans – the New Orleans Saints continued their march towards perfection with a 35-27 win in their first NFC South division game, over the Atlanta Falcons. Interestingly, if Falcons receivers were nearly as adept at hanging onto passes that hit their hands as Drew Brees’ receivers are, this game could have derailed New Orleans for the first time this year.
Saints coach Sean Payton shows what he does to people who spell his last name Peyton.
One dropped pass by Michael Jenkins that killed a drive and led to a missed field goal by Jason Elam, coupled with a dropped touchdown pass in the end zone by Roddy White, and we could very well have witnessed an upset. As it was, the difference in the game could also be attributed to a pick-six by Saints defender Jabari Greer late in the 3rd quarter; the Saints’ third touchdown of that period.
Down 24-35, Pierre Thomas fumbled on the Saints drive that should have killed the clock, leading to a Falcons field goal that covered the spread. Then Atlanta recovered an onside kick, but Darren Sharper intercepted Matt Ryan’s desperation pass with a few seconds left, sealing the win.
In the next three weeks, the Saints play Carolina, St. Louis and Tampa Bay. Considering that those three teams have combined for a 4-18 record thus far in 2009, we are likely headed for a 10-0 Saints team at home on Monday night, facing the New England Patriots. I can’t wait.
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