The Falcoholic
The Atlanta Falcons had lost five in a row and lost several key contributors. They needed a get-right game, even if the season has essentially slipped away, and got one against their most hated rival. Forget the big picture: That was nice to see.
Kirk Cousins did pretty well, the Falcons got enough on the ground to ensure the win, and the defense made plays when they needed to in order to frequently stall long, annoying Saints drives. As bad as the Saints are—and make no mistake, they’re really bad—beating New Orleans is always welcome, and this one was arguably even more lopsided than the score indicated. The Saints’ only touchdown, after all, came on a pick-six that doinked off of Kyle Pitts’ hands and into the waiting hands of safety Justin Reid; otherwise the defense bent a little but did not break against New Orleans. The return of Divine Deablo, Dee Alford having a strong game, and James Pearce Jr. continuing to grow all contributed to the win, and with the Jets next, the Falcons have a chance to build on the effort and try to find their footing defensively for tougher matchups down the stretch.
All that is ahead, though. For one Sunday, it was nice to watch the Falcons win a game, especially humiliating a woeful Saints team that’s as easy as ever to root against, and to see the defense rolling once more after they started the year so strong. With no expectations, let’s see where they take it next.
Here’s the drive-by-drive breakdown of the game you just watched.
The Falcons got it first, and a Bijan Robinson toss went for a couple of yards. Bijan kicked it out side and picked up just a yard. Kirk Cousins tried Kyle Pitts over the middle, but he was hit as he reeled it in and couldn’t come up with it. Punt, and the Saints brought it back about 10 yards.
Alvin Kamara got a couple of yards before Dee Alford got him. Kamara them fumbled and Alford found it immediately, scooping it up and getting Atlanta the ball back.
Two straight Bijan carries went for about six yards. Cousins then sat in the pocket looking for an open man and was sacked. Zane Gonzalez hit the longish field goal easily to make it 3-0 Falcons.
The return went for 75 yards after the Falcons were blocked out of the play; Zane Gonzalez managed to slow down the returner enough for the cavalry to arrive. A.J. Terrell then turned Taysom Hill’s carry into zero yards. A screen to Kamara didn’t go far before Xavier Watts got him. Blake Grupe then missed the easy field goal try, and the Falcons had the ball back.
Darnell Mooney made a nice grab with Cousins managing to launch it under pressure. Robinson picked up a couple of yards. David Sills then reeled in a seven yard catch. On third down, Teagan Quitoriano committed a false start, backing Atlanta...
