Saints vs Falcons final score: Atlanta outlasts the Saints 37-34 in overtime
By Hayden Kane
The New Orleans Saints traveled to the Georgia Dome to take on the Atlanta Falcons in a key week 1 showdown in the NFC South. Many people expected this game to be a shootout, and in that regard it did not disappoint. It was a dramatic back and forth affair, with the Falcons ultimately winning a thriller by a final score of 37-34 in overtime.
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The Saints jumped out to a 13-0 lead in this one in the first half, only to see a resilient Falcons’ team work their way back. Roddy White hauled in a short touchdown, and then a key play came on a 54-yard touchdown from seldom-used Antone Smith to make it 24-20 Falcons in the third quarter.
The New Orleans offense answered once again, with the much-maligned Mark Ingram finishing off a touchdown drive to give the Saints a 27-24 lead with 8:46 left in the fourth quarter.
Of all of the offensive weapons on both sides of this one, it was then running back Jacquizz Rodgers who delivered a dramatic touchdown late in the fourth quarter to give his team a 31-27 lead. With his team just inside the red zone, Rodgers juked and spun his way all the way in for the go-ahead score just inside the three-minute mark.
To the surprise of nobody, the Saints drove all the way down the field and had first and goal with 1:30 left. Then it was Ingram again who scored, officially making this shootout a showcase for mediocre running backs and giving the Saints a 34-31 lead.
Ultimately it was the man known as ‘Matty Ice’ who came through in the clutch, driving his team to set up a long tying field goal from Matt Bryant to send it to overtime all tied up at 34:
The Saints received the ball in overtime, but a fumble from Marques Colston proved to be the deciding play. That set up another long field goal from Bryant, this one from 52 yards to seal the 37-34 victory.
Both quarterbacks filled up the state sheet in this one, but Matt Ryan was the one who truly shined. Looking to make a statement that the Falcons are ready to rebound this season after a dreadful 2013, Ryan was 31-for-43 for 448 yards and three touchdowns. He spread the ball around to a number of his receivers, with Julio Jones leading the way with six catches on six targets for 104 yards.
Brees also posted solid numbers, going 29-for-42 for 333 yards and a touchdown. He was dialed in on rookie wideout Brandin Cooks all game, targeting him eight times for seven catches, 77 yards, and a touchdown. Ingram ended this one with 60 yards on the ground and two very clutch touchdowns.
The Falcons looked exactly like the team many think they will be this season: a whole lot of offense and not much on defense. They did get the turnover that was enough to win, however, and come out with a key win to start their season. As for the Saints, they will surely wish they could have stolen this game, but no real damage is done in the big picture as far as their prospects as one of the favorites in the NFC this season.
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