Birds On The Wire

As it usually does, the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints game went down to the wire.

These aren’t the 2013 Atlanta Falcons.

When the Falcons defense needed a turnover, it produced one.

Both team’s offenses took center stage as defense was, for the most part, absent with the offenses combining for over a thousand yards.

Matt Ryan had a career game as he piled up yardage at will. He finished with 448 yards, setting a Falcons single-game franchise record — topping Chris Chandler’s 431. He also threw three touchdown passes and no interceptions.

Ryan’s great game wasn’t just limited to his stats, however. He was evasive in the pocket, spinning away from sacks to make a throw downfield. He also showed off his scrambling skills a few times.

It’s how the quarterback was expected to perform with serviceable protection. Ryan was only sacked once despite prized rookie Jake Matthews going down right before halftime and not returning. Gabe Carimi was inserted in the left tackle spot and played well outside of the lone sack.

Drew Brees put the Falcons defense on their heels right out the gate. New Orleans took a 6-0 lead almost immediately, with rookie receiver Brandin Cooks making big contributions.

After a costly fumble by Julio Jones at the Saints’ five-yard line, New Orleans put together a nine-play, 80-yard touchdown drive.

Down 13-0, Ryan led the offense on a lengthy 14-play, 80-yard drive that lasted over seven minutes. A two-yard touchdown pass to Roddy White put the Falcons on the board.

With 20 seconds left before the half, Atlanta showed a little aggressiveness and picked up 58 yards in three plays to get into field goal range. Bryant’s field goal from 40 yards out put the score at 20-10 in favor of the Saints heading into halftime.

But the quick drive came at a cost as both White and Matthews went down with injuries and left for the locker room early. As said above, Matthews would not return.

The Falcons would take the lead in the third quarter after putting up 14 point and holding the Saints to none. Antone Smith flashed his dangerous speed by taking a short pass 54 yards to the house. Smith’s touchdown gave the Falcons a 24-20 lead heading into the fourth.

Both teams combined for 24 points in the final quarter. A three-yard touchdown run from Mark Ingram gave the Saints a 34-31 lead with 1:20 left.

The Falcons picked up 47 yards to set up the 51-yard game-tying field goal.