Cam Jordan and the pass rush gave Matt Ryan nightmares, recording 5 sacks on the night.
With the biggest regular season game for the Saints coming up this Monday, we’re going to take one last look back at the win at Atlanta. As many of you are, I’m also very excited for Monday night’s game against Seattle, so we’ll keep this one short and sweet so we can prepare for our previews for the Seahawks.
Offense
Passing: B+
Drew Brees and company got the job done, but they didn’t look as crisp as they have in their last few games. The Falcons did a good job keeping Marques Colston at bay after his recent string of success. They did not turn the ball over, which is always a huge plus. Jimmy Graham got back to his old ways, proving yet again that Atlanta can not stop him. The most impressive facet of the passing offense, though? The pass protection. Yet again they did a great job keeping Brees upright, only allowing one sack. They’ll need to continue that trend with a schedule full of stout front-sevens in the future.
Rushing: A-
The offensive line did a great job in run blocking as well. Ever since the loss to the Jets, the entire line has really shored up their play and have been very effective. It’s worth noting that rookie Tim Lelito filled in for the injured Jahri Evans and played pretty decent. It was an even tougher assignment than usual for Lelito after being away from the team for most of the short week due to personal issues, but that didn’t keep him from stepping up. Pierre Thomas continued to look dominant when getting his hands on the ball. He averaged 7.3 yards per carry and broke tackle after tackle. Mark Ingram looked decent again, although one particular bad read is what has seemed to be burned in to Saints fans’ memories. It’s unfortunate, because Ingram has looked very good lately. He looks quick, decisive, and is making great cuts to run with authority. One thing I’d like to see him do a better job of is lowering his pad level, to prevent being stood up as much as he has been.
Saints
Pierre Thomas
Thomas continues to be as consistent as they come for the Saints offense. He is one of the best running backs that I’ve ever watched at making the most out of his touches. While we’re on the topic of his touches, I’d like to address a complaint I hear from tons of people, including friends. Everyone shouts that Thomas should be getting the ball 20 times a game, given the production he has with 12 or so carries. Listen, I know that he is much more consistent than Mark Ingram, but the Saints know exactly what they’re doing. If you’d like to continue to watch Thomas play like he does, his touches need to stay where they’re at. He’s not a volume back. He’s a value back. That’s why the Saints drafted Ingram and that’s why Sproles gets carries here and there.
Jimmy Graham
He truly is a Falcon killer. He’s also a goal post killer. Graham was unstoppable yet again on his way to 100 yards receiving and a touchdown in which he nearly ripped down the uprights. The Falcons have seen him eight times now and they have no answers on how to stop him.
Ben Watson
Watson only had one catch for one yard, but it was a big one. On 3rd and goal, facing a 7-0 deficit early on, Watson made a great catch in the back of the end zone to prevent either settling for a field goal or possibly giving the ball away on downs. If either of those had happened, who knows how the game would’ve turned out.
Sinners
NONE
Defense
Passing: A-
Nearly a week later, Matt Ryan is probably still sore from the beating he took from Cam Jordan and company. The Saints sacked Ryan five times, with four of them coming in the second half. The front-seven, particularly the defensive line, manhandled the Falcons offensive line in the second half and took control of the game. Aside from Corey White struggling in coverage, the Saints did a pretty good job covering Falcon receivers.
Rushing: B
Breaking this grade down a little bit more, I’d give the run defense a C in the first half and an A in the second half, to average out at the B. Steven Jackson was very effective on Atlanta’s first drive, capping it off with his first rushing touchdown of the season. The Falcons used Jackson on numerous draw plays that the Saints had a tough time stopping in the first half, as well. The front-seven really turned things up in the second half, bottling up Jackson and winning at the line of scrimmage.
Saints
Cam Jordan
Jordan continued his high level of play this season that very well may lead to his first Pro-Bowl appearance in his young career. He finished with 2.5 sacks, bringing his season total to 9.5. He also finished with 6 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 pass defended, and 4 QB hits.
Akiem Hicks
Being over-shadowed by the play of Jordan and Junior Galette, Hicks is having a great season of his own in his second year. He added in 1.5 sacks on the night to go along with 8 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, and 2 QB hits.
Keenan Lewis
Once again, Lewis locked down the opposing team’s number one receiver. He held Roddy White to just two receptions for 24 yards. Lewis provided such good coverage, that Matt Ryan only targeted White on those two passes.
Safeties
Malcolm Jenkins, Roman Harper, and Kenny Vaccaro all deserve recognition for their combined contribution in covering Tony Gonzales. Gonzales has typically burned the Saints every time these two teams get together, but not this time. He was held to just 43 yards receiving on four catches.
Sinners
Corey White
White really struggled in the first half of this game. Undrafted rookie Darius Johnson beat him multiple times with relative ease. The Saints made adjustments to help White from late in the first half throughout the rest of the game, but he’s going to have to do a better job in the absence of veteran Jabari Greer.
Week 13
As if you don’t already know, the 9-2 New Orleans Saints travel to Seattle to face the 10-1 Seahawks in a battle of the best in the NFC on Monday Night Football. It is arguably the biggest game of the year, with the winner having the inside track to home-field advantage in the playoffs, something that is crucial for both teams. Seattle has won 13 straight at home, so it’ll be a very tough task for the Saints. We’ll be back shortly to preview the big game!
Who Dat?!
