Saints crush Falcons attack to win 10th consecutive victory

The New Orleans Saints (10-1) tightened their grip on the NFC South by winning their 10th consecutive victory over a 31-17 win over the Atlanta Falcons (4-7) on Thanksgiving night. Here's what we learned from the game:

1. The cornerback of Saints Marshon Lattimore said Tuesday in the locker room that the first match between these two teams had taken place a long time ago. The message? This defense of the Saints is not the same unit that gave 37 points to the Falcons during the second week.

The Saints defense set the tone in the first half by limiting the ground game to 12 yards in Atlanta and giving the Falcons a dimension to 17-3 at halftime. The Saints totaled six sacks of the season, a high in the season, a total of 13 quarterbacks, three fumbles and one interception.

Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins led the charge by recording his seventh sack of the season. He has a series of three games with at least one bag. Free Security of Saints Marcus Williams has probably advanced in the defensive game of the game when he recovered the fumble of his own sack of striptease to push back the Falcons in the depths of the territory of the Saints.

In a modern era of the NFL where fouls shine like the Saints, The Big Easy team shows that she can play football in a complementary way on both sides of the ball. The Saints have allowed 38 points in the past three games, averaging 12.6 per game behind their defense, and have extended their winning streak to the top 10 league games.

2. Saints quarterback, Drew Brees, showed for a second straight game that he did not have to rely heavily on wide receiver Michael Thomas in the passing game. Of course, Thomas is clearly the No. 1 threat and he has had his moments, including a circus catch between three defenders, but Brees is assured that others are involved.

With Brandon Marshall and rookie Tre & # 39; Quan Smith (foot) inactive, opportunities were on the line for sophomore Austin Carr, Tommylee Lewis, rookie Keith Kirkwood and tight half Dan Arnold. Carr recorded a touchdown, her second in as many weeks; Lewis, new receiver injured, shot in a 28-yard mark; and Arnold, whom the Saints converted from broad catcher to opponent during the off-season, imagined a decisive pass worthy of the reel, 25 yards diving; and Kirkwood took a touchdown of 5 yards.

Know what really makes their productions unique? All four entered the league as free agents.

3. Despite the attention given to a wild game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 11, the Saints are without a doubt the best team in the league and they do not need to do it. with explosive production every day. the week.

Against the Falcons, Brees had 174 yards with four touchdowns and eight different players. The run hit the Falcons with 150 yards in 31 races. Mid-season semifinal Alvin Kamara scored 14 attempts on the ground with 14 yards while Mark Ingram had 48 yards.

And as noted above, the defense played exceptionally. When the Saints pull hard, as was their case Thursday night, it's a team extremely difficult to beat.

4. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan completed 35 of his 45 passes for a total of 377 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The Falcons played more offensive games than the Saints (69-55) and won the ball possession time (30: 59-29: 01). ).

Atlanta received solid games from receivers Julio Jones, who had 11 assists for 147 yards, and rookie Calvin Ridley, who had eight catches for 93 yards and one touchdown.

The mistakes, however, contributed to the lamentable loss of a fierce rival of the division and dropped the Falcons to 4-7 during the season.

5. It is hard to believe, in the face of offensive talent on the Falcons list, that it is a team of 4 to 7 players, but that's the reality. The wounds decimated the defensive side, but the offensive, which unfolded without defeat Devonta Freeman, continues to struggle.

The Falcons have lost three consecutive games and have not managed to exceed 20 points during this period, or 17.3. Even though coach Dan Quinn should not be on the hot seat considering the impact of injury on defense, the same can not be said of offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, who continues to struggle to pull the best of one of the most talented players in the league.