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ATL (3-7) | 21 | 7 | 0 | 7 || 35
NO (8-2) | 0 | 21 | 0 | 17 || 38
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Atlanta squander away another 20+ point lead with Kamara scoring in the final seconds
NEW ORLEANS, November 22 -- For the fourth time this season, the Atlanta Falcons have thrown away a large lead. With 19, 26 and 17 point leads over the Cowboys, Vikings and Broncos, one would think the Falcons would have done everything to ensure their lead wouldn't evaporate as they continuously find it difficult to shed their choking image after their Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots. After all, Matt Ryan put on a vintage Matty-Ice display, having completed 17 of 19 for 251 yards by the time half-time rolled around, with the Falcons holding a 28-7 lead late in the midway through the second quarter.
Ah, then comebacks happen. Drew Brees completed 16 of his 21 passes in the second half to help the Saints mount a ferocious comeback, where they scored 17 points in the fourth quarter which saw Alvin Kamara screen out of the backfield and strut into the endzone with 37 seconds left with a 14 yard receiving touchdown. New Orleans improves to 8-2 in a game they should have lost. Latavius Murray was held to 33 yards off 10 carries and Alvin Kamara could fare no better, rushing for 23 yards off 9 carries, although he did have a rushing touchdown. The Saints were one dimensional in the second half but the Falcons had no answer to stop them. Kamara caught 9 passes for 98 yards and 3 touchdowns while Jared Cook caught 7 passes for 105 yards, most coming over the middle. Michael Thomas, who is still getting back to full health, caught 7 passes for 79 yards and a touchdown while Tre'Quan Smith and Emmanuel Sanders combined for 9 receptions for 105 yards. New Orleans may have one of the best teams in the league. After their defense showed up against the 49ers, their offense showed up against the Falcons when their defense went to sleep. Next week they face newly signed Colin Kaepernick and the Denver Broncos, who are coming off a 35-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
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Scoring Summary
Quarter 1
[ATL] R. Gage 63 yard pass from M. Ryan (12:17)
[ATL] M. Walker 47 yard interception return (9:30)
[ATL] I. Smith 1 yard run (2:47)
Quarter 2
[NO] A. Kamara 11 yard run (13:38)
[ATL] I. Smith 2 yard run (9:05)
[NO] A. Kamara 3 yard run (2:28)
[NO] T. Smith 8 yard pass from D. Brees (0:50)
Quarter 4
[NO] A. Kamara 1 yard pass from D. Brees (14:38)
[ATL] K. Smith 1 yard run (10:35)
[NO] W. Lutz 50 yard FG (4:18)
[NO] A. Kamara 14 yard pass from D. Brees (0:37)
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Atlanta Falcons
Matt Ryan: 30/39, 413 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions
Ito Smith: 17 carries, 69 yards, 2 touchdowns & 9 receptions, 60 yards
R Gage Jr: 6 receptions, 144 yards, 1 touchdown
Hayden Hurst: 6 receptions, 95 yards
Julio Jones: 5 receptions, 72 yards
Calvin Ridley: 3 receptions, 38 yards
Deion Jones: 13 tackles, 1 tfl
Keanu Neal: 10 tackles
J Hawkins: 9 tackles
Grady Jarrett: 7 tackles, 1 tfl, 2 sacks
New Orleans Saints
Drew Brees: 35/45, 398 yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interceptions
Latavius Murray: 10 carries, 33 yards
Alvin Kamara: 9 carries, 23 yards, 1 touchdown & 9 receptions, 98 yards, 3 touchdowns
Michael Thomas: 11 receptions, 98 yards, 1 touchdown
Jared Cook: 7 receptions, 105 yards
Tre'Quan Smith: 5 receptions, 54 yards, 1 touchdown
Emmanuel Sanders: 5 receptions, 51 yards
Demario Davis: 12 tackles
Kwon Alexander: 8 tackles, 1 tfl
Marcus Williams: 5 tackles, 1 interception
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