It’s a new year, but it looked like the same old New Orleans Saints on Sunday afternoon. The Saints would keep it competitive though in the final minutes albeit it was another case of too little too late in a 38-32 loss against Atlanta.
The Falcons were able to get on the board quickly after forcing a three-and-out on the Saints opening drive. It was only four plays later that Matt Ryan was able to connect with Tevin Coleman on a short pass to take a 7-0 lead.
The Saints would try to tie things up with an eight minute, 15 play drive and it originally looked like it would be tied up with Drew Brees finding Coby Fleener on 3rd and goal from the one-yard line. However, upon further review it was seen that Fleener had not completed the catch as he came down with it which forced them to settle for three points off of Lutz’ foot.
Atlanta showed that they weren’t playing around with a big run from Devonta Freeman to extend their lead. The Saints would respond on the next drive with a quick drive down the field that ended with Tim Hightower running it in from two yards out to make it 14-10.
The back and forth continued between these two teams with another quick march down the field from the Falcons that ended with Ryan finding Julio Jones in the endzone to extend their lead. Atlanta would continue to put the game out of reach before halftime with Ryan throwing another dart, this time to Mohamed Sanu and would make it 28-10.
The Saints would cut away at the lead on the next drive thanks to another field goal from Lutz. However, the Saints left enough time on the clock for another Falcons score with Ryan throwing his fourth TD to Justin Hardy.
Atlanta would seemingly put the proverbial dagger in the Saints chances with a 22-yard field goal from Matt Bryant.
However, the Saints would try and rally back in the fourth quarter with Brees connecting with rookie Michael Thomas for a 14-yard pass to make it 38-19 after a failed two-point conversion. They would score again with 2:47 with Mark Ingram scoring from one yard out, making it 25-38 after another failed two point conversion. The Saints would get the ball back after a successful onside kick and make it a six point game with 39 seconds remaining with Brees connecting with Cadet on a short pass. The Saints would try to recover another onside kick, but Sanu would recover the kick to effectively end the Saints chances of ending their season at .500.
The New Orleans Saints season now ends for the third straight season and the fourth time in five years at 7-9. The Falcons meanwhile clinched the number two seed in the NFL Playoffs.
-Clint Domingue