NEW ORLEANS -- The Falcons' defense transformed Saints quarterback Drew Brees' 200th career start into a nightmare.
The defense was stout against the run and attacked Brees as they registered a season-high five sacks and added six quarterback hits for good measure.
It was easily their best performance of the season.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Let’s move on to the grades.
GAME BALL: Kemal Ishmael. The second-year safety came with a big strip and fumble recovery on the first play of the fourth quarter. The play seemed zap the life out of the Saints.
B-plus – Quarterback: Matt Ryan completed 30 of 40 passes for 322 and one touchdown. He finished with a passer rating of 106.5. His best pass of the game may have been his 3-yard shovel pass to wide receiver Eric Weems, which gave the Falcons a lead they would not relinquish. He got Julio Jones involved in the offense immediately and went on to complete passes to nine other receivers. The average gain per pass play was 8.1 yards.
D – Running backs: Steven Jackson left the game with a quadriceps injury and did not return. He could be lost for the regular-season finale and the potential playoff game. Devonta Freeman finished with 36 yards on five carries, including a 31-yard touchdown scamper. Overall, the Falcons rushed 22 times for 81 yards (3.7 per carry) and one touchdown.
B — Wide receivers/Tight ends: Jones tested out his hip/oblique injury and played despite not being 100 percent healthy. He caught seven of eight targets for 107 yards. It was his 19th game with 100 yards receiving or more. It was his third straight 100-yard game. Roddy White (six catches for 55) and Harry Douglas (four catches for 47 yards) were steady. Tight end Levine Toilolo caught 4-of-4 passes thrown his way for 17 yards.
B — Offensive Line: The pass protection was solid as Ryan was not sacked and hit just twice by the Saints. The running game seemed to pick-up with Steven Jackson out of the game.
A-plus — Defensive line: The Falcons, who were last in the league with 16 sacks entering Week 16, registered a
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
season-high five sacks against the Saints. The previous high was four sacks in the second meeting with Tampa Bay. Defensive end Jonathan Babineaux, safety Dwight Lowery, outside linebacker Kroy Biermann, defensive end Ra’Shede Hageman and defensive tackle Corey Peters each had a sack. Babineaux also had two quarterback hits. “I thought we did a good job of mixing our pressure and our four-man rushes,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “When we had the four-man rushes we were getting some one-on-ones. You’ve got five or six guys in the protection and some guys are going to get doubled. When you get the one-on-one, you have to win.” The Falcons also held the Saints to 57 yards rushing on 18 carries (3.2 yards per carry).
A-plus — Linebackers: Paul Worrilow (9 tackles), Joplo Bartu (three) and Prince Shembo (two) helped to control the Saints rushing attack. Worrilow and Bartu had one tackle for a loss. They also dropped into coverage well. Outside linebacker Kroy Biermann had a couple of nice drops too.
A-plus — Defensive backs: Desmond Trufant and Robert McClain came up with big interceptions. Safety Kemal Ishmael had the play of the game and he was assisted by safety Dezmen Southward, who held up Jimmy Graham. Safety William Moore (shoulder), cornerback Josh Wilson (hamstring) and safety Lowery (shoulder) all suffered injuries. Lowery returned to the action. In addition to his interception, McClain had two other pass breakups.
C-minus — Special teams: New Orleans Jalen Saunders took the opening kickoff 99 yards to set up the game's first touchdown. Kicker Matt Bryant was 3-of-3 on field goals, including a 50-yarder. Punter Matt Bosher averaged 44.2 net yards on five punts and placed four inside the 20. Returner Devin Hester had a long kickoff return of 25 yards.
A — Coaches: We're not sure what the Falcons fed the defense for the pre-game meal, but they need to make sure they eat the same thing before facing Carolina. The defense, for the first time this season, was lights out. They attacked Saints quarterback Drew Brees and had only a few missed tackles. The offense was elated that the Saints played a lot of man-to-man coverage. The Falcons were 7-of-15 (47 percent) on third down conversions and 1-of-2 in the red zone.
NEXT UP: The Falcons (6-9) play the Carolina Panthers (6-8-1) at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
FALCONS FAN MAILBAG: We take your questions from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday.
GAME STORY: Falcons prevail in NFC South showdown with Saints, 30-14
NOTEBOOK: Julio Jones returns to energize the offense
QUOTEBOARD: What the Falcons had to say after beating the Saints
VIDEO: Linebacker Paul Worrilow on the victory over the Saints
