Julio Jones Dazzles In Return For Atlanta Falcons

By Cory Buck | Dec 22, 2014

Dec 21, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) catches the ball over New Orleans Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis (28) during the first quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones was his usual sterling self upon return to the roster, aiding the team in a pivotal 30-14 victory.

The Atlanta Falcons needed all hands on deck to go on the road and beat division rival New Orleans Saints and keep their improbable playoff hopes alive. The defense showed up, but they’d also need offense to top the high-powered offense in New Orleans. They got just that when star receiver Julio Jones returned to the lineup and immediately got to work for the offense.

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On the team’s first drive of the game, it was Jones who hauled in a 23-yard catch that would set the tone for his day, which ended with seven catches for 107 receiving yards, the most on either team. As for his strained oblique muscle which kept Jones out of Week 15 action, the receiver shrugged off questions of pain tolerance.

“I felt OK,” Jones said per ESPN. “I know I needed to be out there with my teammates. I missed last week. Before the game, I went out and ran around. I felt pretty good: Not 100 percent, but it was good enough to go out there and get the `W.'”

While Jones did his thing, the Falcons defense ran wild on Drew Brees and the Saints, forcing four turnovers and five sacks in a complete effort that resulted in a 30-14 Atlanta victory.

The Falcons can now clinch a playoff spot with a win against the Carolina Panthers in Week 17.

“It’s a big game because it’s the next game,” Jones said of that tilt. “We can add any more pressure to ourselves. We’ve just got to continue to do what we do.”

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