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ATL |
NO |
Defense propels Saints past Falcons, into playoffs
NEW ORLEANS (AP) Whether it was the weirdest interception of Marshon Lattimore's football life or a ball-dislodging hit by Tyeler Davison near the goal line, the Saints' defense poetically tipped the scales in a long-awaited playoff-clinching victory.
Shoddy defense was widely seen as the reason the Saints missed the playoffs the last three seasons. Those days are over.
Lattimore corralled a momentum turning interception off his backside, New Orleans made two defensive stands from inside its 2-yard line, and the Saints clinched their first postseason berth since 2013 with a 23-13 victory over the rival Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
''We want the team to win because of the defense, not in spite of the defense, and I feel like we've all kind of hung our hat on that,'' Davison said. ''We saw it in our mind and we turned it into real life, man, and it feels amazing. It feels just as you thought it would when you pictured it 100 times.''
Ted Ginn caught a 54-yard pass for a touchdown, which came a few plays after Lattimore's interception and shortly before halftime. Mark Ingram used a sharp cutback to break loose for a 26-yard touchdown for New Orleans ( 11-4), which kept its tenuous hold on first place in the NFC South heading into the final week of the season.
While the loss eliminated the Falcons (9-6) from the NFC South race, Atlanta can clinch a wild-card berth by beating Carolina in the final regular-season game.
The Falcons entered the game with a second straight division crown within reach, but they needed to beat the Saints. They squandered chances spectacularly, much to the delight of a deafening Superdome crowd - and certainly to the chagrin of scattered fans wearing Falcons red. The Falcons were taunted on their way to the game by a plane towing a banner that read ''28-3 Merry Xmas,'' a reference to Atlanta's Super Bowl collapse.
Atlanta trailed 6-0 when Lattimore's interception of Matt Ryan set the Saints up to double their lead.
Early in the third quarter, Atlanta linebacker Deion Jones intercepted a pass that deflected off Ginn's hands and returned it 41 yards to the New Orleans 2. But Devonta Freeman fumbled on a hit by Davison two plays later and linebacker Manti Teo recovered.
''That was my fault,'' Freeman said. ''No matter what play is called, you've got to get in the end zone and score, and I've got to protect the ball. I've got to do better at that. I'm going to do whatever it takes to fix it.''
Early in the fourth quarter, Freeman was stopped on fourth-and-goal from the 1, preserving a 20-3 Saints lead. One play earlier, Julio Jones caught a third-down pass with his feet in the end zone, but he was unable to pull the ball across the goal line after reaching back to make the catch. Atlanta challenged the spot, but the call on the field was upheld.
''That's kind of the tale of the day,'' Ryan said. ''We can't do that in these type of games and we missed too many opportunities.''
FORTUITOUS PICK
Lattimore, drafted 11th overall last spring out of Ohio State, said he'd never had a more unusual interception at any level of football. Lattimore had been beaten on the play and launched into a desperate dive as Ryan's high pass deflected off the hands of receiver Marvin Hall and fell on Lattimore as he lay face down.
He curled his leg up on the ball to try to prevent it from touching the ground, reached back with his right hand to swipe it from players from both teams who grasped at it.
''I felt the ball on the back of my leg. I knew it didn't touch the ground because everybody was trying to fight for it,'' Lattimore said . ''I just went back and reached for it and got it.''
FINAL NUMBERS
Drew Brees completed 21 of 28 passes for 239 yards. Ginn finished with 76 yards receiving and Michael Thomas - who'd been listed as questionable with a hamstring injury - caught four passes for 66 yards. Brees became the third quarterback in NFL history to eclipse 70,000 career yards passing, joining Peyton Manning and Brett Favre.
Ryan was 22 of 36 for 288 yards. He was sacked five times, twice by Cameron Jordan.
Jones had seven catches for 149 yards, but the Falcons' running game struggled.
Freeman was held to 36 yards on 11 carries.
INJURY REPORT
Falcons: Tight end Levine Toilolo was sidelined by a knee injury in the second half.
Saints: Left tackle Terron Armstead left the game in the second half with a thigh injury.
UP NEXT
Falcons: Finish regular season at home against the Panthers.
Saints: Try to wrap up the division title at Tampa Bay on New Year's Eve.
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Copyright 2017 by AP. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of AP is strictly prohibited.
M. Ryan
2 QB 288 PaYds, PaTD, INT, 7 RuYds |
15
FPTS
|
|
T. Ginn
19 WR 76 ReYds, ReTD, 4 RECs, 14 RuYds |
14
FPTS
|
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | - | - |
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
M. RyanÂ
2 QB
15 FPTS
|
M. Ryan | 22/36 | 288 | 1 | 1 | 15 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
D. FreemanÂ
24 RB
3 FPTS
|
D. Freeman | 11 | 36 | 0 | 15 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. GabrielÂ
18 WR
3 FPTS
|
T. Gabriel | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. ColemanÂ
26 RB
11 FPTS
|
T. Coleman | 6 | 12 | 0 | 15 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. RyanÂ
2 QB
15 FPTS
|
M. Ryan | 2 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 15 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. JonesÂ
11 WR
14 FPTS
|
J. Jones | 11 | 7 | 149 | 0 | 44 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. ColemanÂ
26 RB
11 FPTS
|
T. Coleman | 4 | 4 | 40 | 1 | 15 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. SanuÂ
12 WR
3 FPTS
|
M. Sanu | 6 | 4 | 31 | 0 | 10 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. GabrielÂ
18 WR
3 FPTS
|
T. Gabriel | 4 | 1 | 20 | 0 | 20 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. FreemanÂ
24 RB
3 FPTS
|
D. Freeman | 3 | 2 | 20 | 0 | 12 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. HooperÂ
81 TE
1 FPTS
|
A. Hooper | 4 | 3 | 18 | 0 | 10 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. HardyÂ
14 WR
1 FPTS
|
J. Hardy | 1 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. HallÂ
17 WR
0 FPTS
|
M. Hall | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. ColemanÂ
40 FB
0 FPTS
|
D. Coleman | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
D. JonesÂ
45 MLB
|
D. Jones | 8-2 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. NealÂ
22 SS
|
K. Neal | 8-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. PooleÂ
34 CB
|
B. Poole | 7-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. JarrettÂ
97 DT
|
G. Jarrett | 4-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. TrufantÂ
21 CB
|
D. Trufant | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. BeasleyÂ
44 OLB
|
V. Beasley | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. AlfordÂ
23 CB
|
R. Alford | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. ReedÂ
50 DE
|
B. Reed | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. RileyÂ
42 OLB
|
D. Riley | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. CampbellÂ
59 OLB
|
D. Campbell | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. AllenÂ
37 FS
|
R. Allen | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. PoeÂ
92 DT
|
D. Poe | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. UpshawÂ
91 DE
|
C. Upshaw | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. IshmaelÂ
36 SS
|
K. Ishmael | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. ClaybornÂ
99 DE
|
A. Clayborn | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
M. BryantÂ
3 K
7 FPTS
|
M. Bryant | 2/2 | 48 | 1/1 | 7 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. BosherÂ
5 P
|
M. Bosher | 5 | 46.8 | 1 | 55 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
A. RobertsÂ
19 WR
0 FPTS
|
A. Roberts | 2 | 22.5 | 25 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
A. Roberts 19 WR
0 FPTS
|
A. Roberts | 3 | 9.7 | 19 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
D. BreesÂ
9 QB
13 FPTS
|
D. Brees | 21/28 | 239 | 1 | 1 | 13 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
M. IngramÂ
22 RB
12 FPTS
|
M. Ingram | 13 | 44 | 1 | 26 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. KamaraÂ
41 RB
8 FPTS
|
A. Kamara | 12 | 32 | 0 | 15 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. GinnÂ
19 WR
14 FPTS
|
T. Ginn | 2 | 14 | 0 | 15 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. BreesÂ
9 QB
13 FPTS
|
D. Brees | 4 | -4 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
T. GinnÂ
19 WR
14 FPTS
|
T. Ginn | 5 | 4 | 76 | 1 | 54 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. ThomasÂ
13 WR
6 FPTS
|
M. Thomas | 5 | 4 | 66 | 0 | 27 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. KamaraÂ
41 RB
8 FPTS
|
A. Kamara | 9 | 7 | 58 | 0 | 25 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. IngramÂ
22 RB
12 FPTS
|
M. Ingram | 3 | 3 | 22 | 0 | 12 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. HillÂ
89 TE
1 FPTS
|
J. Hill | 3 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 7 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
W. SneadÂ
83 WR
0 FPTS
|
W. Snead | 3 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
C. RobertsonÂ
52 OLB
|
C. Robertson | 7-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. LattimoreÂ
23 CB
|
M. Lattimore | 5-1 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. WilliamsÂ
43 FS
|
M. Williams | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. CrawleyÂ
20 CB
|
K. Crawley | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Te'oÂ
51 MLB
|
M. Te'o | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. JordanÂ
94 DE
|
C. Jordan | 3-0 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. OnyemataÂ
93 DT
|
D. Onyemata | 2-1 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. RankinsÂ
98 DT
|
S. Rankins | 2-2 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. DavisonÂ
95 DT
|
T. Davison | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. BellÂ
48 FS
|
V. Bell | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. WilliamsÂ
26 CB
|
P. Williams | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. BushÂ
25 DB
|
R. Bush | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. JohnsonÂ
90 DE
|
G. Johnson | 1-1 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
H. KikahaÂ
44 OLB
|
H. Kikaha | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
W. LutzÂ
3 K
11 FPTS
|
W. Lutz | 3/3 | 45 | 2/2 | 11 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
T. MorsteadÂ
6 P
|
T. Morstead | 6 | 44.7 | 1 | 59 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
A. KamaraÂ
41 RB
8 FPTS
|
A. Kamara | 2 | 36.0 | 49 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
T. Lewis 11 WR
0 FPTS
|
T. Lewis | 4 | 10.8 | 18 | 0 |