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It's in the books now, and the New Orleans Saints have shocked the Atlanta Falcons by handing them their first defeat of the 2012 season in a heart-straining 31-27 victory.
Both the defense and offense took turns looking brilliant, and then maddeningly ineffective over the course of the game, but it was just enough to win. Welcome to life in the 2nd half of 2012, bitches. You'd better strap in.
Drew Brees finished with a typical day at the office for him: 21 of 32 for 298 yards, 3 TDs and an INT, extending his consecutive games with a TD pass streak in teh process. Chris Ivory led the 148-yard rushing attack with 7 carries for 72 yards and an awe-inspiring 56-yard TD run. Despite an early drop, Jimmy Graham put up 7 catches for 146 yards and 2 TDs. Lance Moore made several tough catches on his way to a 7 reception, 91 yard day, while Marques Colston tied Deuce for the career TD mark with his 55th scoring catch in the third quarter.
On the defensive side, they stuffed the Falcons rushing game all day long, but Matt Ryan torched them through the air. Rookie Corey White came away with an interception on a long ball from Ryan that sparked the offense to their only touchdown drive in the second half, and he also had a tackle for a loss and another pass defensed. Martez Wilson notched the only sack of Ryan, while Malcolm Jenkins led the team with 10 tackles to go with his three passes defensed.
Check the stats, vote on your Saints' Non-Drew-Brees MVP, and then share your thoughts, emotions, and initial reactions to the game in the comment section!
Falcons vs Saints coverage
Falcons vs Saints box score
Team Stats
| ATL | NO | ||
| First Downs | 25 | 21 | |
| Total Yards | 454 | 440 | |
| Passing Yards | 408 | 292 | |
| Rushing Yards | 46 | 148 | |
| Penalties (Yds) | 6(53) | 5(35) | |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 | |
| Punts (AVG) | 3(46) | 5(48) | |
| Time of Pos. | 32:35 | 27:13 |
Top Performers
| NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | ||||
| Passing | CP/AT | YDS | TD | INT |
| D. Brees | 21/32 | 298 | 3 | 1 |
| Rushing | CAR | YDS | TD | LG |
| M. Ingram | 16 | 67 | 0 | 8 |
| P. Thomas | 5 | 10 | 0 | 4 |
| Receiving | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
| M. Colston | 3 | 26 | 1 | 12 |
| J. Graham | 7 | 146 | 2 | 46 |
| L. Moore | 7 | 91 | 0 | 29 |
| ATLANTA FALCONS | ||||
| Passing | CP/AT | YDS | TD | INT |
| M. Ryan | 34/52 | 411 | 3 | 1 |
| Rushing | CAR | YDS | TD | LG |
| M. Turner | 13 | 15 | 0 | 9 |
| J. Rodgers | 3 | 29 | 0 | 18 |
| Receiving | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
| R. White | 7 | 114 | 0 | 49 |
| T. Gonzalez | 11 | 122 | 2 | 19 |
| M. Johnson | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1T |