The Saints could have used the mojo from ten years ago on Monday night against the Atlanta Falcons. The start was promising, but the little mistakes cost them big, losing 45-32.
The Saints started things off right on the opening drive with an eleven play drive that was capped off by a short pass into the endzone to Coby Fleener to take the early lead.
The Saints defense forced a three-and-out against Atlanta’s defense, but a muffed punt by Devante Harris gave them the ball back in the Saints redzone. Three short plays later Tevin Coleman tied things up with a short run.
Atlanta took the lead with the first play of the second quarter with a short pass from Matt Ryan to Devonta Freeman to make it 14-7. But the Saints were able to tie things up on the following drive with Drew Brees connecting with rookie Michael Thomas from 3 yards out.
A shootout started to begin with the Falcons scoring once again with a lengthy drive that ended with another short run from Coleman to make it 21-14. Just before halftime, the Falcons increased their lead with a short pass to Hardy to make it 28-14.
With 28 seconds on the clock, the Saints managed to march down the field and get a 57-yard field goal from rookie Will Lutz to make it 28-17 as they headed into the locker room.
The Falcons kept things rolling forward to start the second half with a quick drive down the field that saw Coleman get his third touchdown of the night from six yards out.
The Saints weren’t going to let that get them down as they cut the lead down to 10 points with John Kuhn running in from three yards out and a successful two-point conversion attempt from Mark Ingram.
The Falcons began to put the game away late with a 21 yarder from Matt Bryant and a pick six from former LSU Tiger Deion Jones in the fourth quarter.
The Saints drop to 0-3 and have a short week before they take on the San Diego Chargers with kickoff set for 3:25 pm.
-Clint Domingue