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Saints Give Falcons First Loss, 31-27: Game Recap

The place to be to review the game stats and to discuss with other Saints fans the ins and outs of today's 31-27 NFC South defeat of the previously unbeaten Atlanta Falcons by the New Orleans Saints.

Tusk!!! Had yet another game to remember.
Tusk!!! Had yet another game to remember.
Chris Graythen

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

The Falcoholic

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