NFL- The New Orleans Saints defeat the Atlanta Falcons

They say that football is a game of the heart. Maybe. It is also a game of perseverance and a game of stamina. At 12-3 overall and 9-2 in the NFC, the Atlanta Falcons hold the best record in the NFL next to the New England Patriots. That is, had the Falcons managed to defeat the Saints, they would have a 13-2 record right next to the Pats. Still, the New Orleans Saints proved once again that they have the heart and the talent needed to take a go at defending the title they won last year. The Saints rallied for an 17-14 win over the Atlanta Falcons to secure their comeback into the postseason.

Critics had speculated that holding the best record in the league didn’t necessarily imply having the best team in the nation. And that sort of fell like the right description for what went on during Monday Night Football between the New Orleans Saints, the Super Bowl defending champions, and the Atlanta Falcons. Sure, the Falcons were coming from an 8-game winning streak. Sure, the Falcons at home had been just a bit short of brilliant with an impressive 19-3 record at the Georgia Dome under head coach Matt Ryan’s.

Drew Brees, the Saints starting quarterback and last year’s Super Bowl MVP, was quite effective when his team needed him most. Despite throwing to interceptions during the fourth quarter, he showed once again that he can really perform well under pressure.

At 11-4 the Saints had a couple of mishaps during the middle of the season, but the guys from New Orleans are showing that they have what it takes to fight again for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. The Saints had won 7 of its last 8 games before facing the Falcons.

It all went down to the final minutes of the fourth quarter. Chauncey Davis picked up Brees pass and went for a 26-yard touchdown in the open minute of the fourth quarter. That gave the Falcons the lead for the first time in the game. Drew Brees was then picked up again by John Abraham further into the fourth quarter. But it didn’t matter much.

Brees completed six straight passes in the 13-play drive that gave the Saints the win on the road. Just to get into the right perspective and so it stays on the record, we are talking about a magnificent 90-yard drive that ended with a 6-yard touchdown to rookie Jimmy Graham with little over 3 minutes remaining.

Drew Brees completed35 of 49 passes for 302 yards with one touchdown and 2 interceptions. His passer rating was on the 77.1 The Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan went for 15 of 29 passes for 148 yards and one touchdown with no picks.

The Saints will need the cheer for the Carolina Panthers during next week’s game. Should the Panthers managed to defeat the odds and win over the Falcons. It is not a very likely scenario. Oh contraire, it is very likely that the Falcons are going to wrap up their first division crown since 2004 and secure home court advantage through the NFC playoffs.