NEW ORLEANS – Tom Benson walked over to Sean Payton and greeted him with a “Put it there, partner.”
Suffice it to say, the owner of the New Orleans Saints will take a win any way they come.
That’s a good thing because Monday night in front of a national television audience, Payton’s Saints played their closest, sloppiest game yet.
And still they won, overcoming four turnovers and missed opportunities to put away the Atlanta Falcons 35-27 in a sold-out Superdome.
“We came up big on defense when we needed to when we turned the ball over,” Payton said. “I’m excited to win.”
But the mood inside the locker room spoke a different story, one in which players seemingly knew they escaped with a win for the second week in a row. The Saints (7-0) overcame a 21-point deficit against Miami a week earlier to get a win.
“The thing was we know we made a lot of mistakes,” Saints defensive end Bobby McCray said. “Two weeks in a row, (we’ve had) mistakes and penalties which we can’t do if we want to be this team seeking greatness. A win is a win. We’re excited for the win and won’t take anything from that. But we’ve just got to correct the small things.”
This one didn’t come easy. Pierre Thomas fumbled the ball back to the Falcons (4-3) early in the fourth quarter, putting Atlanta in prime position at the New Orleans 35. After a 24-yard run in which Michael Turner pushed through tackles, the Falcons were in position to take the lead.
But two plays later Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma tipped a pass from Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, sending the pass offline just enough for cornerback Tracy Porter to intercept.
And the Saints’ offense, stymied for the entire second half, came alive. New Orleans converted two third downs, the most important of which was Drew Brees’ 1-yard touchdown pass to Thomas, who atoned for his earlier fumble by diving in from the 2.
“When that fumble happened, I felt like I let the team down and I had to bounce back and go out and show my team I can go out and bounce back,” said Thomas, who finished with 93 total yards and two touchdowns.
The interception, though, is what turned the tide of the game.
“The ball was tipped on the interception when we were going in to score in the red zone,” Atlanta coach Mike Smith said. “It was definitely a crucial play in the ballgame.”
“The biggest thing was not only they didn’t get points, but we ended up with a touchdown and a two-score game and pretty much put the game out of reach,” Vilma said.
Out of reach almost turned into completely within reach.
New Orleans running back Mike Bell fumbled and Atlanta recovered. Jason Elam hit a 40-yard field goal to make it an eight-point game with 28 seconds left and the Falcons recovered the onside kick.
The flame finally burned out for Atlanta when New Orleans’ Darren Sharper intercepted a last gasp pass to end the game.
“That’s not the way we want to finish,” Saints right tackle Jon Stinchcomb said. “In the end we got a win. We’ll have a tough work week ahead of us. I don’t think it’s going to be lost in the guys in this locker room. Those mistakes are going to catch up with us at some point unless we clean them up.”
After having not trailed for 300 minutes of the season, New Orleans trailed for much of its win over the Dolphins a week ago.
On Monday night, the Saints would again trail early.
Atlanta won the toss and promptly marched down the field, scoring on the opening drive when Turner, who finished the game with 151 yards on 20 carries, turned the corner for a speedy 13-yard run around right end to give the Falcons a 7-0 lead.
Not to be outdone, the Saints came right back, converting two third-and-fours, including Pierre Thomas’ 22-yard touchdown run in which he broke two tackles and made two other Falcons miss.
But after the Saints forced Atlanta’s offense to punt, the Falcons’ defense came up with the first big defensive play of the night. Thomas DeCoud decleated Brees on a delayed middle blitz, forcing a fumble that Atlanta’s Kroy Biermann recovered for a 4-yard touchdown and a 14-7 lead.
“As I was getting up, I saw the ball come loose and Kroy took it in for the score,” DeCoud said. “At that time, it was a big play in the ballgame.”
Moments later, though, Brees regained his footing and found his favorite target, lofting a pass up to receiver Marques Colston for an 18-yard game-tying touchdown.
Reggie Bush’s 1-yard touchdown gave New Orleans the lead with a little more than a minute to go in the half. Twenty-three seconds later, cornerback Jabari Greer returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown and a 28-14 lead.
“I realized against a good team, you have to be able to capitalize on that,” Greer said. “I told myself if I ever get another opportunity I’d do my best to make a play. As the play came, I just made it happen.”
Greer’s pick-6 was New Orleans’ fifth of the season, tying a team record set in 1998.
Atlanta pulled within a touchdown when Ryan hit Roddy White for a 68-yard scoring strike and then Jason Elam hit a 25-yarder and with 11:33 to go in the game, cutting further into the Saints to 28-24.
That set up the frantic final 10 minutes.
Drew Brees finished the game 25 of 35 for 308 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Half his passing yards went to Marques Colston, who finished with 85 yards and a score, and Jeremy Shockey, who tallied 72 yards on five catches.
Atlanta’s Matt Ryan finished 19 of 42 for 289 yards and a touchdown. But more importantly, he finished with three interceptions.
dboudreaux said on November 3, 2009 at 5:40 AM
GREAT GAME DREW BREES DID A GREAT JOB GO SAINTS
Anonymous said on November 3, 2009 at 6:35 AM
Another nail biter for you WHO DAT CRACKPOTZ, huh? Despite having future opponents with a combined .359 winning percentage, expect the NFL's bottom of the food chain(except the Pats & Cowboys) to bring they're "A" game against YOUR SAINTS. If you really think this team can RUN THE TABLE(16-0) for the regular season, then I have a COMPLETELY ASSEMBLED CATEGORY 5 LEVEE SYSTEM that I would like to sell you for $1. MADE IN CHINA! HOLD DAT!!
cajunmn63 said on November 3, 2009 at 6:54 AM
I am a believer now!!!!!!!!!
nicki said on November 3, 2009 at 8:12 AM
GO SAINTS!
nicki said on November 3, 2009 at 8:15 AM
Not feeling the revamped web page!
Anonymous said on November 3, 2009 at 9:23 AM
Hmmm....I wonder who anonymous is? sounds like 301DH. Let the bottomfeeders like the Deadskins bring their "A" game. The saints can beat teams like that with their D game. I'm glad 301DH is still predicting the saints demise. He's been wrong all season. In fact, I can't think of one thing this guy has been right about. 301DH would do well to follow Mark Twain's advice that it's better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt. But actually it's too late for that. He removed all doubt weeks ago.....
Anonymous said on November 3, 2009 at 9:39 AM
I don't like the new format either.
Anonymous said on November 3, 2009 at 9:40 AM
I don't like the new format either. I don't like having to type in that security string every post. This is definitely going to cause a decline in usage (by me, at least)
lanie75 said on November 3, 2009 at 9:44 AM
Thats was a close game. Good one but close, I don't feel like Drew was on his game. We have some great players that need to step it up. I have all the faith in our Saints. GEAUX SAINTS!
Anonymous said on November 3, 2009 at 9:57 AM
GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL I ALREADY TOOK A VACATION DAY THE MONDAY AFTER THE BIG GAME
Anonymous said on November 3, 2009 at 9:58 AM
GO SAINTS GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL. I ALREADY TOOK A VACATIONS DAY AFTER THE BIG GAME
fritz said on November 3, 2009 at 10:01 AM
ALL THE WAY TO THE SUPER BOWL I ALREADY TOOK A VACATION DAY AFTER THE BIG WIN AND GAME
dantisaint said on November 3, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Memo to Don Shula, Mercury Morris, and VIP Members of '72Company: Don't sweat it! The Saints are NOT GOING UNDEFEATED and are NOT WINNING THE SUPER BOWL, let alone play in one. So your undefeated season will remain intact. So take a chill pill, relax and go bass fishing. There's a lot of football left to play and the SAINTS will "FALL OF A CLIFF" eventually this season. Not a sermon, just a fact!! HOLD DAT!!
Anonymous said on November 3, 2009 at 10:34 AM
WWL I HATE THIS NEW FORMAT. IT REALLY SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!! ANYWAY GEAUX SAINTS
cargogirl said on November 3, 2009 at 10:45 AM
this new format sucks, my password didnt work or my user name, i had to change it. i will not be commenting on here if it stays like this. now for the important stuff, 7-0 saints!!!!!!!!!!!! we have some easy teams to play but that dont mean we will have it easy, we cant get overconfident, but with that said, i see us going atleast 3 more games in a row winning. it was a good game, geaux saints. btw, where is 301, or was that him above putting down the saints. poor guy, he must be sooo lonely. join the saints bandwagon and you will have friends. superbowl bound!!!!!!!!
littlemrnoname said on November 3, 2009 at 10:48 AM
To the anon goofus. The Saints are so good, they can't even beat themselves. I don't know if i've EVER seen a team make that many mistakes, and still find a way to win. I' glad national TV watchers think that was the Saints "A" game. If it was, the score would have been one of thoses forty something scores by the Saints.
bmichael said on November 3, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Almost blew it. Almost gave me a heart attack. Almost doesn't count... Not this year!!! Burn dem Black Pants..... They're BAD LUCK... GEAUX SAINTS!!!!
iamcarla said on November 3, 2009 at 11:01 AM
test
bmichael said on November 3, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Almost blew it..... Almost gave me a heart attack... Almost.... Almost... Almost... Almost doesn't count anymore. Not this year !!! GEAUX SAINTS !!!!
iamcarla said on November 3, 2009 at 11:03 AM
testing image
annonymous said on November 3, 2009 at 11:13 AM
sounds good, great game to watch.
Anonymous said on November 3, 2009 at 11:54 AM
I pledge allegiance, to the Saints, of New Orleans, Louisiana. And to the fans, for which they play...One Team, Undefeatable, with Touchdowns and Field Goals for All...WHO DAT!!!! AMEN
mjguillo said on November 3, 2009 at 12:38 PM
This new format does suck! I suggest everybody contact WWLTV via email complaining. Then stop using it. I won't be using it anymore.
dantisaint said on November 3, 2009 at 1:08 PM
Bradley, I think you're WHO DAT CRACKPOT delegation are "RESISTANT TO CHANGE." Change is GREAT. It's too bad it won't involve the SAINTS at the end of the season. Not a sermon, just a fact! HOLD DAT!!
iamcarla said on November 3, 2009 at 1:22 PM
To dantisaint YOU'RE A REAL IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BUT THEN AGAIN YOU ALREADY KNEW THAT HUH?
youknowimright said on November 3, 2009 at 1:38 PM
this new website SUCKS, but the saints are 7-0 who dat baby
whodat48 said on November 3, 2009 at 3:36 PM
I live in Charlotte,NC. a big Saints fan. Come on Saints you can do better than that. No more heart of attacks Please. Now go beat the Panthers. GEAUX SAINTS !!!!! WHO DAT !!!!!
dantisaint said on November 3, 2009 at 4:26 PM
Iamcarla: Why don't you try reading your "IDIOTS GUIDE TO WED PAGE DESIGN" book before you throw insults this way. I know WWL can find a better Web page person than a "TOOLAME" intern. HOLD DAT!!
dantisaint said on November 3, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Carlie, what's the matter? You don't believe in the FIRST AMENDMENT??
michy123 said on November 8, 2009 at 6:33 PM
i do dantisaint and i'm going to use it now... you're a toolbag