Final
Saints-Falcons Preview
Dec 12, 2009 - 3:12 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior WriterThe undefeated New Orleans Saints showed plenty of determination in their last game, much as they did in their first meeting with the Atlanta Falcons, whose injuries could be too much to overcome when the NFC South rivals meet again Sunday.
New Orleans (12-0) clinched the division title and tied a franchise record for wins in a season with a wild comeback last week, beating Washington 33-30 in overtime.
"I've never been a part of anything so great," Saints running back Mike Bell said.
The Saints lost five games by three points or fewer last season. This year's team has been much different, posting two significant comeback victories on the road.
The Saints rallied from a 21-point deficit to beat Miami 46-34 in Week 7, and their latest victory was even more exhilarating.
After Washington's Shaun Suisham missed a 23-yard field goal with under two minutes to play, New Orleans' Drew Brees tied the game less than a minute later with a 53-yard touchdown pass. Garrett Hartley won it with an 18-yard field goal in OT.
The Saints never led until Hartley's kick in a game filled with momentum-changing moments. New Orleans needed a replay reversal to get a fumble called on Washington's Mike Sellers that set up the winning drive.
Late in the first half, a Saints punt hit Redskins cornerback Kevin Barnes on the back and New Orleans recovered. A few plays later, Brees was intercepted by Kareem Moore, but New Orleans receiver Robert Meachem stripped the ball and ran for a TD.
"We find a way to win," Bell said. "That's what good teams do, right?"
The Saints overcame four turnovers to beat Atlanta 35-27 on Nov. 2. Brees was intercepted and lost a fumble, but passed for 308 yards and two scores.
Pierre Thomas lost a fumble for New Orleans, but also scored two touchdowns as the Saints rushed for 146 yards.
New Orleans, though, struggled to run the ball versus Washington, finishing with a season-low 55 yards on the ground.
Without Michael Turner, Atlanta (6-6) was held to 61 yards rushing in a 34-7 loss to Philadelphia last Sunday. Turner was one of six offensive starters, including quarterback Matt Ryan, to miss time in that matchup as the Falcons lost for the third time in four games.
The worst defeat in Mike Smith's two years as coach left Atlanta on the fringe of the wild-card race.
"We've just got to get everybody together and keep practicing and go out there and try to fight our way to a victory," Pro Bowl receiver Roddy White said. "Man, hopefully we get some of our guys back this week and get everything back together and try to win us a game."
Atlanta may have a tough time doing so without Ryan, who protected his turf toe injury by wearing a walking boot on the sideline. Ryan, injured in a 20-17 win over Tampa Bay on Nov. 29, sat out a sixth consecutive practice Friday, but Smith listed him as questionable on the team's injury report.
"Matt worked again this morning in our walk-through," Smith said. "He continued to progress and we're going to make a decision as we get closer to game time."
Ryan was picked off three times in the Nov. 2 matchup with the Saints.
If he can't go, Chris Redman will make his second consecutive start. He threw two interceptions and had one returned for a TD against the Eagles.
Turner was limited in practice Friday and is also questionable because of an ankle injury he suffered against the Buccaneers. Jason Snelling and Jerious Norwood split time against Philadelphia, combining for 53 yards on 21 carries.
Four other offensive starters - White (knee), left tackle Sam Baker (elbow), center Todd McClure (knee) and right guard Harvey Dahl (ankle) - are also questionable.
"We've got an injury list right now that is pretty long," Smith said.
Defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux, who was arrested Thursday night in Gwinnett County and charged with felony possession of marijuana, is listed as questionable because of a shoulder injury.
Babineaux was limited in practice, and Smith said he has yet to decide if the fifth-year veteran will be allowed to play against the Saints.
TD ATL MICHAEL JENKINS 50 YD PASS FROM CHRIS REDMAN (MATT BRYANT KICK)
Saints 23, Falcons 16 3rd - 6:11Dec 13 2:56 PM
TD ATL MICHAEL JENKINS 50 YD PASS FROM CHRIS REDMAN (MATT BRYANT KICK)
Saints 23, Falcons 16 3rd - 6:11Dec 13 2:56 PM
TD ATL MICHAEL JENKINS 50 YD PASS FROM CHRIS REDMAN (MATT BRYANT KICK)
Saints 23, Falcons 16 3rd - 6:11Dec 13 2:56 PM
TD ATL MICHAEL JENKINS 50 YD PASS FROM CHRIS REDMAN (MATT BRYANT KICK)
Saints 23, Falcons 16 3rd - 6:11Dec 13 2:55 PM
TD ATL MICHAEL JENKINS 50 YD PASS FROM CHRIS REDMAN (MATT BRYANT KICK)
Saints 23, Falcons 16 3rd - 6:11Dec 13 2:55 PM
TD ATL MICHAEL JENKINS 50 YD PASS FROM CHRIS REDMAN (MATT BRYANT KICK)
Saints 23, Falcons 16 3rd - 6:11Dec 13 2:55 PM- NFL
FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
NEW ORLEANS 3 13 7 3 26
ATLANTA 6 3 7 7 23 FINAL
SCORING SUMMARY
1ST QUARTER: ATL - FG, MATT BRYANT 36 YD, 4:33.
ATLANTA 3-0
NOR - FG, GARRETT HARTLEY 33 YD, 9:02.
NEWORLEANS 3-3
ATL - FG, MATT BRYANT 30 YD, 14:28.
ATLANTA 6-3
2ND QUARTER: NOR - TD, REGG
Dec 13 2:51 PM - NFL
NEW ORLEANS 26
ATLANTA 23 0:00 LEFT, 4TH QTR
Dec 13 2:51 PM
TD NOR REGGIE BUSH 21 YD PASS FROM DREW BREES (GARRETT HARTLEY KICK)
Saints 23, Falcons 9 3rd - 9:11Dec 13 2:48 PM
TD NOR REGGIE BUSH 21 YD PASS FROM DREW BREES (GARRETT HARTLEY KICK)
Saints 23, Falcons 9 3rd - 9:11Dec 13 2:48 PM
TD NOR REGGIE BUSH 21 YD PASS FROM DREW BREES (GARRETT HARTLEY KICK)
Saints 23, Falcons 9 3rd - 9:11Dec 13 2:48 PM
TD NOR REGGIE BUSH 21 YD PASS FROM DREW BREES (GARRETT HARTLEY KICK)
Saints 23, Falcons 9 3rd - 9:11Dec 13 2:46 PM
TD NOR REGGIE BUSH 21 YD PASS FROM DREW BREES (GARRETT HARTLEY KICK)
Saints 23, Falcons 9 3rd - 9:11Dec 13 2:46 PM
TD NOR REGGIE BUSH 21 YD PASS FROM DREW BREES (GARRETT HARTLEY KICK)
Saints 23, Falcons 9 3rd - 9:11Dec 13 2:46 PM- NFL
FG NOR
GARRETT HARTLEY 38 YD
NEW ORLEANS 26
ATLANTA 23 4:42 LEFT, 4TH QTR
Saints 26, Falcons 23 4th - 4:46Dec 13 2:29 PM
TD NOR MARQUES COLSTON 3 YD PASS FROM DREW BREES (PAT FAILED)
Saints 16, Falcons 6 2nd - 0:51Dec 13 2:11 PM
TD NOR MARQUES COLSTON 3 YD PASS FROM DREW BREES (PAT FAILED)
Saints 16, Falcons 6 2nd - 0:51Dec 13 2:11 PM
TD NOR MARQUES COLSTON 3 YD PASS FROM DREW BREES (PAT FAILED)
Saints 16, Falcons 6 2nd - 0:51Dec 13 2:09 PM
TD NOR MARQUES COLSTON 3 YD PASS FROM DREW BREES (PAT FAILED)
Saints 16, Falcons 6 2nd - 0:51Dec 13 2:09 PM- NFL
NEW ORLEANS 23
ATLANTA 16 0:00 LEFT, 3RD QTR
Dec 13 2:08 PM
TD NOR REGGIE BUSH 6 YD PASS FROM DREW BREES (GARRETT HARTLEY KICK)
Saints 10, Falcons 6 2nd - 9:47Dec 13 1:47 PM
TD NOR REGGIE BUSH 6 YD PASS FROM DREW BREES (GARRETT HARTLEY KICK)
Saints 10, Falcons 6 2nd - 9:47Dec 13 1:47 PM
TD NOR REGGIE BUSH 6 YD PASS FROM DREW BREES (GARRETT HARTLEY KICK)
Saints 10, Falcons 6 2nd - 9:47Dec 13 1:47 PM
TD NOR REGGIE BUSH 6 YD PASS FROM DREW BREES (GARRETT HARTLEY KICK)
Saints 10, Falcons 6 2nd - 9:47Dec 13 1:45 PM
TD NOR REGGIE BUSH 6 YD PASS FROM DREW BREES (GARRETT HARTLEY KICK)
Saints 10, Falcons 6 2nd - 9:47Dec 13 1:45 PM
TD NOR REGGIE BUSH 6 YD PASS FROM DREW BREES (GARRETT HARTLEY KICK)
Saints 10, Falcons 6 2nd - 9:47Dec 13 1:45 PM
TD NOR REGGIE BUSH 6 YD PASS FROM DREW BREES (GARRETT HARTLEY KICK)
Saints 10, Falcons 6 2nd - 9:46Dec 13 1:45 PM
TD NOR REGGIE BUSH 6 YD PASS FROM DREW BREES (GARRETT HARTLEY KICK)
Saints 10, Falcons 6 2nd - 9:46Dec 13 1:45 PM
TD NOR REGGIE BUSH 6 YD PASS FROM DREW BREES (GARRETT HARTLEY KICK)
Saints 10, Falcons 6 2nd - 9:46Dec 13 1:45 PM- NFL
NEW ORLEANS 16
ATLANTA 9 0:00 LEFT, 2ND QTR
Dec 13 1:21 PM - NFL
FG ATL
MATT BRYANT 27 YD
NEW ORLEANS 16
ATLANTA 9 0:00 LEFT, 2ND QTR
Saints 16, Falcons 9 2nd - 0:04Dec 13 1:19 PM - NFL
NEW ORLEANS 3
ATLANTA 6 0:00 LEFT, 1ST QTR
Dec 13 12:32 PM - NFL
FG ATL
MATT BRYANT 30 YD
NEW ORLEANS 3
ATLANTA 6 0:32 LEFT, 1ST QTR
Saints 3, Falcons 6 1st - 0:36Dec 13 12:29 PM - NFL
FG NOR
GARRETT HARTLEY 33 YD
NEW ORLEANS 3
ATLANTA 3 6:03 LEFT, 1ST QTR
Saints 3, Falcons 3 1st - 6:03Dec 13 12:18 PM - NFL
FG ATL
MATT BRYANT 36 YD
NEW ORLEANS 0
ATLANTA 3 10:27 LEFT, 1ST QTR
Saints 0, Falcons 3 1st - 10:31Dec 13 12:08 PM - GGG3 WTF. It wont let me make a pick even though there's over an hour left till game time.
Saints 0, Falcons 0 1st - 15:00Dec 13 11:57 AM
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