The New Orleans Saints really should want to play every game in the month of November. Since the start of the 2009 season the Saints have gone 10-0 during that month.
Like in most New Orleans Saints/Atlanta Falcons games it comes down to an unusual play or controversial call, and that’s what happened in the Saints’ 26-23 win.
In a game that continually went back and forth between the two bitter NFC South rivals it was a controversial call by Atlanta head coach Mike Smith to try and secure a first down on a fourth down and inches play that will be debated for quite some time.
After a booth review took away a first down play by the Falcons it was Smith who decided to run halfback Mike Turner right up the middle and the Saints defense stuffed the All-Pro runner in his tracks.
That play set up the game-winning 26-yard field goal by Saints kicker John Kasay and snapped the Falcons three-game winning streak.
Saints free safety Malcolm Jenkins says that it was film work and the presence of Drew Brees that led to Smith’s decision to go for the first down.
“It was the same play we saw on tape that they liked in short yardage situations, but when they ran it earlier in the game I wasn’t able to fill the gap properly and Turner got good yardage out of it,” Jenkins said. “This time we had plenty of football hats on Turner and he didn’t have a chance to build up any momentum. I was able to knife in and slow him down some and then the cavalry came to the rescue. Risking giving up the ball that deep in the territory goes to show the respect the Falcons had for Drew Brees. They knew they didn’t want him to touch the ball anymore, but we came up with the big play on defense.”
The win by the Saints gave them full possession of first place in the South Division and Sean Payton increased his record to 9-2 against the Falcons and 5-1 overall in games played in Atlanta.
Payton, who returned to the sidelines for the first time since suffering a broken leg and a knee injury early on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, praised his team for their effort and character.
“These are the type wins that build the character of your football team,” Payton said. “This game was typical of the type games we play regularly against Atlanta and I am proud of how we fought back through some injuries and some adversity.”
The Saints head coach also gave high praise to wide receiver Marques Colston who caught eight passes for 113 yards. Every catch was a first down reception.
When the New Orleans Saints don’t commit a turnover on offense they sport a 17-0 record under Sean Payton. Against the Falcons the Saints didn’t turn the ball over and ended up with a big interception by linebacker Scott Shanle.
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