NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans’ Taysom Hill performed well in his first career start at quarterback but it was the Saints’ defense that was the star of Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. With the 24-9 win, the Saints improved to 8-2 overall and maintained its lead in the NFC South division.
How It Happened:
Atlanta took the opening possession of the game and went 65 yards on seven plays but the drive stalled. The Falcons settled for a 28-yard field goal by Younghoe Koo.
After the two teams traded three-and-outs, New Orleans went 66 yards on eight plays and tied the game with a 22-yard field goal by Will Lutz.
Atlanta scored on the first drive of the second quarter after going 42 yards on 10 plays but once again New Orleans’ defense kept them out of the end zone. Koo though made the 51-yard field goal.
New Orleans tried to answer but the drive stalled out as Taysom Hill’s first down pass was incomplete, then took a sack on second down and his pass was incomplete on third down. Lutz’ 53-yard field goal attempt was no good.
After the two teams traded punts once again, Atlanta added another Koo field goal — this time from 52 yards out. The Falcons led 9-3 with less than five minutes to go before halftime.
The Saints responded by going 80 yards in only seven plays, highlighted by a 45-yard pass from Hill to Emmanuel Sanders, and found the end zone with a three-yard touchdown run by Alvin Kamara.
Atlanta tried to put together a drive before halftime but the New Orleans defense stepped up. Cameron Jordan sacked Matt Ryan on third down and then Marcus Williams intercepted Ryan’s deep pass on fourth down.
New Orleans held a 10-9 lead at halftime.
The Saints opened up the second half with a 10-play, 80-yard scoring drive capped by a two-yard touchdown run by Hill on fourth and goal.
After the Saints defense forced another three-and-out as Demario Davis and David Onyemata both recorded sacks, the offense got back on the field. Hill hit Sanders for a 57-yard touchdown but that was called back due to a holding penalty. The drive eventually stalled and New Orleans was forced to punt.
New Orleans would open up the fourth quarter with another touchdown drive as the Saints went 53 yards on only six plays as Hill ran it in from 10 yards out. With the extra point good, New Orleans held a 24-9 lead.
Big Number: 8
The New Orleans Saints defense wreaked havoc on Atlanta’s offensive line and quarterback Matt Ryan. Cameron Jordan led the way with three sacks with Trey Hendrickson and David Onyemata adding two more each, and Demario Davis with one.
Players of the Game: Cameron Jordan & Taysom Hill
The Saints All-Pro pass rusher had the best game of the season as he recorded three sacks and helped the defense record seven sacks in the win over the Falcons. Hill made his first career start at quarterback completing 18-of-23 passes for 233 yards while rushing for 51 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Up Next: New Orleans begins a three-game road trip as they play at Denver next Sunday. Kickoff is set for 3:05 p.m.