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Who Dat Say! 11/22/13: Saints Defeat Falcons 17-13 on Thursday Night Football

Sean Payton and the Saints did just enough on an extremely short week to win last night and advance to a 9-2 record a week and a half before they travel to Seattle to take on the 10-1 Seahawks.

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Tweets

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Who should get the game ball from last night&#39;s <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Saints&amp;src=hash">#Saints</a> win? Let us know on <a href="https://twitter.com/WWLAMFM">@WWLAMFM</a> at 260-1870 or 866-889-0870!</p>&mdash; Jordan Fiegel (@JGFiegel) <a href="https://twitter.com/JGFiegel/statuses/403866133670813696">November 22, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>10 of the last 16 games between the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Saints&amp;src=hash">#Saints</a> and Falcons have been one possession contests</p>&mdash; Jordan Fiegel (@JGFiegel) <a href="https://twitter.com/JGFiegel/statuses/403862345853566978">November 22, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Shhhhh Matty dyin couldn run fast enough <a href="http://t.co/s6NO3YmDwG">http://t.co/s6NO3YmDwG</a></p>&mdash; cameron jordan (@camjordan94) <a href="https://twitter.com/camjordan94/statuses/403829288178552832">November 22, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>PHOTOS: Saints at Falcons -&gt; <a href="http://t.co/ocvcXBQbk4">http://t.co/ocvcXBQbk4</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23NOvsATL&amp;src=hash">#NOvsATL</a></p>&mdash; New Orleans Saints (@Saints) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saints/statuses/403827678106501120">November 22, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Elias: Jimmy Graham&#39;s 6th 100-yd receiving game ties single-season NFL mark for tight ends (Tony Gonzalez) <a href="http://t.co/HadcYhvA1T">http://t.co/HadcYhvA1T</a></p>&mdash; ESPN Stats &amp; Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/statuses/403817085173649409">November 22, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Three wins in 12 days an impressive feat for <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Saints&amp;src=hash">#Saints</a>. Now comes the real test at <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Seahawks&amp;src=hash">#Seahawks</a> <a href="http://t.co/bMOaHGFGX4">http://t.co/bMOaHGFGX4</a></p>&mdash; Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeTriplett/statuses/403803038470504448">November 22, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Wheels are on the ground at Home in Nola...&#10;9-2&#10;<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WhoDat&amp;src=hash">#WhoDat</a></p>&mdash; Thomas Morstead (@thomasmorstead) <a href="https://twitter.com/thomasmorstead/statuses/403792939580534785">November 22, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Safe and back in New Orleans oh this bed </p>&mdash; rafael bush (@rbush36) <a href="https://twitter.com/rbush36/statuses/403795931721519104">November 22, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Great team win, I told u it was gon b a battle... Atl rose up... And yet we went and beat them down... Matty stop trynna be mobile <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23whodat&amp;src=hash">#whodat</a></p>&mdash; cameron jordan (@camjordan94) <a href="https://twitter.com/camjordan94/statuses/403770936375410688">November 22, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WhoDatNation&amp;src=hash">#WhoDatNation</a> we all witnessed history tonight when <a href="https://twitter.com/TheJimmyGraham">@TheJimmyGraham</a> pulled the goal post down....&#10;<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Epic&amp;src=hash">#Epic</a>&#10;<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WhoDat&amp;src=hash">#WhoDat</a> &#10;<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Saints&amp;src=hash">#Saints</a></p>&mdash; Thomas Morstead (@thomasmorstead) <a href="https://twitter.com/thomasmorstead/statuses/403770241412767744">November 22, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>BIG TEAM WIN TONIGHT.&#10;<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WHODAT&amp;src=hash">#WHODAT</a> CHANT IN THE 4TH QUARTER MADE IT FEEL LIKE A HOME GAME&#10;<a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23SaintsFansEqualBestFans&amp;src=hash">#SaintsFansEqualBestFans</a></p>&mdash; Thomas Morstead (@thomasmorstead) <a href="https://twitter.com/thomasmorstead/statuses/403763592782442496">November 22, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Blown away at how the Who Dat Nation showed up tonight!! Division win on the road! Huge!</p>&mdash; Will Herring (@wherring54) <a href="https://twitter.com/wherring54/statuses/403762363989778432">November 22, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Glad I got to hang out with these two!! <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23godkids&amp;src=hash">#godkids</a> <a href="http://t.co/fN3bfOBXx3">http://t.co/fN3bfOBXx3</a></p>&mdash; Malcolm Jenkins (@MalcolmJenkins) <a href="https://twitter.com/MalcolmJenkins/statuses/403760959032152064">November 22, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>by <a href="https://twitter.com/Saints">@Saints</a> &quot;Saints Win! Saints beat the Falcons 17-13 to improve to 9-2 <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23SaintsGameday&amp;src=hash">#SaintsGameday</a>&quot; <a href="http://t.co/L9mvVObGWc">http://t.co/L9mvVObGWc</a></p>&mdash; Malcolm Jenkins (@MalcolmJenkins) <a href="https://twitter.com/MalcolmJenkins/statuses/403760681323094016">November 22, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The harder the win the better it feels. That was a tough fought battle on the road in the division&#10;#9-2 says it all!&#10;&#10;Thanks <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WhoDatNation&amp;src=hash">#WhoDatNation</a></p>&mdash; Jedidiah Collins (@JedCollins45) <a href="https://twitter.com/JedCollins45/statuses/403754717459021824">November 22, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>All I gotta say is, GREAT team win! The who dats were loud in there as usual. The best fans in the league, hands down!</p>&mdash; Lance Moore (@LanceMoore16) <a href="https://twitter.com/LanceMoore16/statuses/403754207662338048">November 22, 2013</a></blockquote>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Oooops! <a href="http://t.co/LXsSniOF7C">pic.twitter.com/LXsSniOF7C</a></p>&mdash; Jimmy Graham (@TheJimmyGraham) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheJimmyGraham/statuses/403758471403036672">November 22, 2013</a></blockquote>

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Saints Defeat Falcons 17-13

Resilient Saints win again on way to Seattle - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN
ATLANTA -- Three wins in 12 days. An impressive feat, no doubt, for the New Orleans Saints, who scratched out a 17-13 victory on the road against th

Keys to victory: Saints 17, Falcons 13 - Stats & Info Blog - ESPN
What were the keys to victory for the New Orleans Saints in their 17-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons? For the Saints, it was a matter of just followi

Rapid Reaction: New Orleans Saints - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN
ATLANTA -- A few thoughts on the New Orleans Saints' 17-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons, which moved them to 9-2 on the season. What it means: This

Upon Further Review: New Orleans Saints Week 12 - ESPN
ATLANTA -- An examination of four hot issues from the New Orleans Saints' 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in the Georgia Dome. Jordan's showca

Saints aren't worried about style points, just winning | wwltv.com New Orleans
New Orleans beat Atlanta 17-13 Thursday night and while those watching probably scored it as an underwhelming affair, the Saints don’t care.

Saints beat reeling Falcons; Brees eclipses Moon on passing list
Drew Brees passed for 278 yards and two touchdowns as the New Orleans Saints outlasted the Atlanta Falcons, 17-13, on Thursday at Georgia Dome.

Officials miss roughing call on Saints | ProFootballTalk
Saints fans who zealously have been defending the flag thrown on 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks for hitting quarterback Drew Brees in the neck have suddenly fallen silent.

Gary Estwick: Jordan, Saints earn season sweep of Falcons | New Orleans Saints | The Sun Herald
What a way to leave the Georgia Dome.

Saints' defense helps hold off Falcons for win | New Orleans Saints | The Sun Herald
ATLANTA -- Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes and the New Orleans Saints overcame a lackluster offensive showing, holding off the Atlanta Falcons 17-13 Thursday night.

New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons: Notebook
The Saints improve to 9-2

Saints’ Brees now fifth on NFL list for career passing yards | Black and Gold
Brees finished with 278 yards and now has 49,566 yards for his 13-year career. He trails only Brett Favre (71,838), Dan Marino (61,361), Peyton Manning (60,957) and John Elway (51,475) on the league’s all-time list.

Jimmy Graham joined all-timers (and not just with dunk) | ProFootballTalk
Saints tight end Jimmy Graham brought down the house last night. Figuratively, and nearly literally. Graham even took to Twitter to apologize for bending the goalpost with his mighty two-handed dunk. Of course, Graham did more than just tear up the furniture.

Jimmy Graham Tweets 'Oooops!' after bringing down the goal post | NOLA.com
"Jimmy Graham found the end zone after a two-week hiatus in typical Graham fashion to give the Saints a 14-10 lead early in the second quarter." reports Larry Holder. "Graham pulled his best Shaquille O'Neal impersonation after the TD grab as his two-handed jam over the goal post bent the upright. It forced a small delay as workers brought out ladders to level the goal post.

Gritty New Orleans Saints survive, advance to showdown with Seattle | NOLA.com
Winning, not style points, all that matters in second half of NFL season

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The View From the Other Side

ATLANTA: Falcons' woes continue as Saints hold on for victory - Football Wires - MiamiHerald.com
Like most of the battles with the New Orleans Saints in the recent history of the rivalry, the Falcons gave them a fight, but came up short.

ATLANTA: Falcons tough in effort but fall short to Saints - Football Wires - MiamiHerald.com
Like most of the battles with the Saints in the recent history of the rivalry, the Falcons played them tough, but came up short.

ATLANTA: Jeff Schultz: Despite loss, Falcons show improvement - Football Wires - MiamiHerald.com
In a season that has been reduced to team die-hards and spin doctors clinging to any measure of progress, the Falcons had two modest achievements Thursday night. They actually tried, and they didn't get blown out.

Mike Smith defends decision to attempt field goal | ProFootballTalk
With 2:24 left to play Thursday night against the New Orleans Saints, the Atlanta Falcons were trailing 17-13 and facing a 4th and 15 from the Saints' 34-yard line.

What the Atlanta Falcons had to say about their loss to the New Orleans Saints | NOLA.com
The Atlanta Falcons sound off about their loss to the New Orleans Saints

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Transcripts

Sean Payton, Saints players talk about tonight's 17-13 win over the Falcons
Postgame quotes from Coach Payton and players

Mike Smith, Matt Ryan discuss their loss
Postgame quotes from Falcons Coach Mike Smith and quarterback Matt Ryan

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Video

VIDEO: Sean Payton: "proud of our guys"
New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton speaks with reporters after the team's game against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday, November 21, 2013. (New Orleans Saints video)

VIDEO: Drew Brees: "Everyone did their part"
New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees speaks with reporters after the team's 17-13 win vs the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday, November 21, 2013. (New Orleans Saints video)

VIDEO: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees: 'We battled...and got the win' - NFL Videos
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees talks about his team's 17-13 win over the Atlanta Falcons, the impressive play of the Saints defense and tight end Jimmy Graham's athleticism.

VIDEO: Week 12: Saints vs. Falcons Highlights
Drew Brees passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns to lead the New Orleans Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 12 of NFL action.

VIDEO: New Orleans Saints Game Wrap: November 21
New Orleans Saints senior writer John DeShazier and Sean Kelley recap the New Orleans Saints' 17-13 win vs the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday, November 21, 2013. (New Orleans Saints video)

VIDEO: Saints postgame press conference - NFL Videos
The New Orleans Saints react to the team's victory against the Atlanta Falcons.