Atlanta Falcons (7-10) – New Orleans Saints (9-8) : 20-30
Before the game, the stakes were simple for the Saints: a victory, coupled with a loss for the 49ers, and Sean Payton’s men are in the playoffs. On the side of Atlanta, the only issue was to be able to eliminate a “rival”.
If New Orleans won, the victory of the Niners signals the end of the season for the Saints. Despite the injury to Taysom Hill (7/9, 10th yards, 1 TD), the attack might count on Trevor Siemian (9/15, 71 yards, 2 TD), Alvin Kamara (162 yards) and Tre’Quan Smith (76 yards, 1 TD) to undermine a weak Atlanta defense.
The Saints defense also did the job, making it difficult for Matt Ryan (20/33, 216 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) all game. Without a running game and without a line, the former MVP cannot perform miracles. Cam Jordan and Marcus Davenport have been hanging out all night. The better team prevailed, and the Falcons will now focus on the offseason.
New Orleans, the steamroller
From the start of the first drive, the “stars” of the Saints attack are present. Alvin Kamara pierces the opposing defense, and Taysom Hill sends a wonder pass to Adam Trautman (18 yards, 1 TD) for touchdown (0-7), New Orleans has no time to lose.
Atlanta does not let itself be mistreated, and advances failing to make the difference in the red zone. Matt Ryan cuts through the defense and advances his attack, well helped by Russell Gage (126 yards, 1 TD), to score two field goals in quick succession (6-7), while New Orleans misses a kick in the meantime .
As the Saints return to attack, Taysom Hill is injured on a tackle from Shawn Williams, giving way to Trevor Siemian. The latter shows up quickly, with an assist for the touchdown from Tre’Quan Smith (6-14). Without being spectacular, Sean Payton’s men do the job seriously.
The momentum is gold and white, and Matt Ryan begins handing out freebies. Paulson Adebo took advantage with a spectacular interception 5 minutes from halftime. One more field goal, and 11 points ahead (6-17). As if that were not enough, Mike Davis 28 yards, 2 fumbles lost) lost the ball on the following action. Juwan Johnson scores the touchdown, burying the faint hopes of the Falcons from the break.
Atlanta for Honor
The third quarter is a non-match, between a team that wants to kill the clock and another that does not have the capacity to make the other doubt. The Falcons will however save the honor by Qadree Ollison, on a touchdown on the run from 19 yards (13-24). Too little too late, especially since New Orelans is not letting up the pressure. The attack advances on the ground and scores one more field goal, to keep a substantial lead by eating the clock in the fourth quarter (13-27).
History to kill the suspense, Kwon Alexander provokes a fumble from Mike Davis in stride. The sanction is always the same: field goal (13-30). Russell Cage will score a touchdown for form, but it is New Orleans who wins (20-30).
