Keys to Falcons' loss to Saints

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

1. Quarterback Chris Redman was much more settled with better protection and a decent running game on Sunday. He actually passed for more yards than New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees (303 to 296).  Last week against Philadelphia, Redman never seemed comfortable, appearing to lock in on tight end Tony Gonzalez and wide receiver Roddy White, who was targeted 20 times. Against the Saints, Redman completed passes to eight receivers and spread the ball around the field. But when he had two chances to drive down for the victory, the offense was stopped first when he threw an interception to Jon Vilma and then when he threw a short pass on a fourth-and-2 to Jason Snelling coming out of the backfield. Snelling was tackled a yard short of the first down.

2. The Falcons had a masterful defensive game plan that slowed down the league's highest scoring offense. They played a lot of cover two zone and sprinkled in some timely blitzes. They even went to a three-man front and dropped defensive end Lawrence Sidbury into coverage in the fourth quarter. The Falcons were able to keep the Saints' talented receivers in front of them for the most part. Robert Meachem got open deep for a 42-yard gain with rookie cornerback Christopher Owens covering early in the second quarter, but Owens caught him and made the tackle. Meachem was held to four catches for 57 yards and did not score. Brent Grimes seemed to get a bad deal on one of his two pass interference calls, but over all did a solid job while filling in for the injury Chris Houston at right cornerback.

3. The Falcons won the battle of the big-gainers. Entering the game, the Saints led the league with the most plays of 20 yards or more with 63. The Falcons were 31st in the league and had given up 55 plays of 20 yards or more, including six to the Saints in their first meeting. On Sunday, it was the Falcons who won the battled of the big plays, 5-4. Michael Jenkins had a 50-yard touchdown reception. Jason Snelling had a 38-yard reception. Eric Weems broke loose for 31 yards on a reverse. Roddy White had a 27-yard catch and Jenkins had a 23-yard catch. The Saints' longest play was the 42-yard pass to Meachem.

By the numbers

• 50 -- Yards covered in Chris Redman's touchdown pass to Michael Jenkins in the third quarter.

• 8 -- Number of receivers who caught passes from Redman.

• 7 -- Redman passed for 303 yards, seven more than counterpart Drew Brees.

• 93.1 -- Chris Redman's quarterback rating, after registering a dismal 56.1 rating last week against Philadelphia.

• 82 -- Michael Jenkins receiving yards total, which led the Falcons.

• 9 -- Strongside linebacker Stephen Nicholas led the Falcons in tackles.

Etc.

• Wide receiver Roddy White finished with two catches for 41 yards. He has now caught at least one pass in 49 consecutive games.
• Center Todd McClure, who was injured in last week's game, came back and made his 124th consecutive start.
• Wide receiver Eric Weems' rush for 31 yards on a reverse was a career-long.

Injury report

• Defensive end Jamaal Anderson left the game in the third quarter with a chest injury. He returned later.

• Wide receiver Brian Finneran left the game with a knee injury after matching a spectacular catch late in the third quarter.