The Falcons’ rematch with quarterback Drew Brees and tight end Benjamin Watson didn’t end the way they hoped.
Having already lost at New Orleans on Oct. 16 (31-21) at the hand of Brees and Watson, the Falcons left the field disappointed once more Sunday after falling 20-17 in the Georgia Dome.
“(Brees) had some plays and we stopped him a couple times,” cornerback Jalen Collins said. “We knew what (Watson) did last time and that was one of our goals going into this game: to shut him down because we know what type of player he is and what type of ability he has. We were definitely focused on him because we know he’s a big target of theirs.”
Watson had six catches for 59 yards and the Saints’ only touchdown catch. Brees went 32-of-42 for 323 yards and one touchdown. It was a far cry from their first meeting, when Watson ran unchecked for 10 catches and 127 yards. But it still stung.
“We expected a tough game and it was,” coach Dan Quinn said. “We can’t not finish a game and expect to have good results and win at the end like we did today.”
Despite recovering a Saints fumble on the Falcons’ 2-yard line and holding the Saints to just two field goals in the second half, the Falcons’ defense couldn’t overcome the offense’s two turnovers in the fourth quarter.
“Just to come away with that long drive after (safety Charles Godfrey) got that fumble,” cornerback Robert Alford said. “I think it pushed the momentum over to us and I think it got the ball back to Matt Ryan and the offense. After that, it was out of our hands.”
Ending the game minus-1 in turnovers and minus-7 for the season, the Falcons have plenty to ponder in the offseason.
“It’s not an offensive issue or just a defensive issue,” Quinn said. “It’s a team issue that we will get right.”
Alford still wants his team to learn from the loss Monday morning.
“Everybody can learn from this game,” Alford said. “It’s a team loss. So everyone has something to improve on going into next season.”
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