Saint go 7-0 with win over Falcons

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By Christopher Gordy

Who can stop the New Orleans Saints? That's the question football fans and media members across the nation will continue to ask for weeks. But the consensus answer, at least for the time being, is nobody.

The Saints defeated the Atlanta Falcons 35-27 on Monday Night Football this week and look to keep the train rolling, as they host the Carolina Panthers this weekend. But as good as the Saints have played thus far, the average pessimist knows that all good things must come to an end.

But when will it end? In three weeks against the Patriots? In the NFC Championship Game? Or maybe, God-willing, could they finish the year with an unblemished record?

That may be wishful thinking, but the Saints showed no signs of slowing down with their seventh straight victory Monday night - though this one was the closest game the Saints have played all year. Second year quarterback Matt Ryan was good, as he made some tough throws against a great Saints secondary.

But while Ryan was good, Drew Brees was better. Brees continued to make a bid for MVP of the league this year, finishing 25-for-33 and passing for 308 yards and two touchdowns.

The Saints running game continued to be impressive, with running back Pierre Thomas running 14 times for 91 yards and a touchdown. Running back option number two Mike Bell carried the ball 17 times for 49 yards.

New Orleans' receivers were equally impressive, with eight different players catching passes. Marques Colston had six catches for 85 yards and a score while tight end Jeremy Shockey had five catches for 72 yards.

Defensively, the Saints were once again very aggressive, proving why Gregg Williams was the biggest off-season acquisition in a long time. Jabari Greer had an interception return for a touchdown while Tracy Porter and Darren Sharper each added a pick of their own. Defensive end Will Smith had two sacks while Anthony Hargrove added a sack of his own.

The only downside to the game Monday night is that teams now have a blueprint on how to hang with the Saints. Falcons running back Michael Turner ran 20 times for 151 yards and a touchdown. Turner showed that an effective running game can wear down the Saints defense and most importantly keep Brees and company off the field.

The Falcons sacked Brees twice, intercepted him once and stripped a ball from his hands, which was returned for a touchdown. The Falcons blitzed on nearly every down in the first half, rattling Brees and keeping him uncomfortable for much of the game. But an uncomfortable Brees can still complete passes. Nevertheless, it was the first close game the Saints have played outside of the three-touchdown deficit they faced in Miami, which they turned into a double-digit victory.

Moving forward, the Saints and the Colts are the two remaining undefeated teams in the NFL, and as a result both will have targets on their backs for the rest of the season. But if Sean Payton and Gregg Williams can keep up their aggressive play calling, there may be no one who can stop the Saints. So the next time someone asks, "Who dat say dey gonna be beat dem Saints?" just respond "Nobody."

Originally Published: Issue 822 - November 4, 2009

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