The Atlanta Falcons settled for field goals early in their Week 13 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, and it would cost them late. After managing just three field goals through the first three-and-a-half quarters, the Falcons got things going in the final minutes. Atlanta would come up just short, though, suffering a 21-16 loss to the team’s most-hated division rival.
Let’s quickly recap the Falcons’ offensive, defensive and special teams performances from Sunday’s game.
OFFENSE
Offensively, the Falcons’ play-calling and route concepts left much to be desired. The heat is on offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter after a maddening performance. Atlanta’s red-zone struggles continued, and the teamed settled for three field goals entering the fourth quarter.
Quarterback Matt Ryan was not effective against the Saints, completing less than half of his passes. Ryan went 19-for-39, with 273 passing yards, a touchdown and a fumble.The Falcons didn’t get much production out of the running game, but the pass protection was much better than it was two weeks ago.
Todd Gurley started but wasn’t involved much until a few negative runs in the fourth quarter. Ito Smith led all rushers with eight attempts for 36 yards. Julio Jones had six catches for 94 yards, while Calvin Ridley caught five balls for 108 yards.
DEFENSE
The Falcons struggled to slow down the Saints’ offense and QB Taysom Hill in the first half. After giving up an early touchdown, Atlanta slowed Hill until late in the second quarter when he threw his second career touchdown pass.
If the Falcons had been able to get off the field on third down, it would have been a different game. Even with a shaky performance against Hill, the defense’s problems stemmed from Atlanta’s inability to maintain possession of the football. A sack-fumble in the fourth quarter recovered by LB Deion Jones kept the Falcons alive, down two scores with ten minutes left in the game.
Minutes later, the defense came up with a big third-down stop to give Atlanta one final chance. But the offense couldn’t capitalize on it. Linebacker Foye Oluokun led the team with 13 tackles. Defensive end Steven Means had two sacks and a forced fumble during Sunday’s loss.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo remains the most valuable offensive player this season. Koo knocked down three field goals in the first half to keep Atlanta in the game, while Saints kicker Will Lutz missed his first-half attempt.
Rookie punter Sterling Hofrichter had averaged 43.6 yards on five attempts.
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