Atlanta Falcons: 4 Things Learned vs. Saints
Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback
Drew Brees(9) talks to Atlanta Falcons quarterback
Matt Ryan(2) following a win in a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
The Atlanta Falcons suffered their first loss of the season on Thursday night against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome.
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The Atlanta Falcons came into the game having won five consecutive games, including four come-from-behind victories against their early season opponents. Head Coach Dan Quinn has transformed a team that was dead last on defense in the NFL last season to a respectable squad, while Offensive Coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s zone blocking scheme has resurrected a once extinct running game with the emergence of Devonta Freeman.
Last night though, the New Orleans Saints exposed glaring flaws in the Atlanta Falcons that had not yet been displayed during the 2015 season. Saints’ QB Drew Brees picked apart the Falcons’ secondary, while the rest of the defense had difficulty halting the Saints’ offense the entire game.
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Of course, it is always difficult playing on the road in the NFL — even against a 1-4 team. This especially holds true against the Atlanta Falcons’ bitter rivals, who always seem to give it their all when playing against Atlanta. After looking listless last week against Philadelphia, the Saints came out firing, and the Atlanta Falcons were unable to counter. Missed opportunities and penalties killed the team on Thursday.
Now with 10 days off before their next game against the Tennessee Titans, Dan Quinn must now reassess his club six games into the season and make the necessary adjustments to prevent a similar showing. Here are 4 things we learned on Thursday while watching the Atlanta Falcons vs. the New Orleans Saints.
Next: O-Line Struggles