Peyton's Place Perfect

The New Orleans Saints remained one of two perfect NFL teams by downing the Atlanta Falcons 35-27 in Monday night football. Head coach, Sean Payton, watched his team triumph over a sloppy offensive game to defeat their neighborly rivals. Saints quarterback, Drew Brees, was responsible for 308 passing yards and two scores. His exactness and resistance to pressure is astounding, and Brees has the ability to throw into double and triple coverage. It rarely leads to interceptions. However, Brees was picked off twice in the winning effort Monday, as New Orleans overcame four team turnovers. The 7-0 Saints outscored Atlanta 21-0 in the second quarter after falling behind early in the first. Michael Turner rushed for 151 yards for Atlanta, including a 13 yard scamper to open the game. Pierre Thomas answered by reaching the end zone from 22 yards out after an 80 yard, ten play Saints drive. Thomas’ extraordinary ball-handling was put on temporary hold in the final quarter. The Falcons defense stripped Thomas on a third and one play. Stephen Nichols’ fumble recovery was challenged but the ruling was upheld, handing Atlanta the ball. Thomas zoomed into the end zone when the Saints regained possession clinging to a four point lead. The one yard screen pass from Brees put New Orleans on top 35-24 with 3:03 left in regulation. The Falcons Matt Ryan had three more chances to lead Atlanta down the field. The Falcons came up empty on fourth and ten when Ryan’s pass to Roddy White was incomplete. Following a three and out by the Saints, Ryan found Tony Gonzalez and Michael Jenkins to secure two more first downs. Atlanta fell short of the endzone, settling for three points on Jason Elam’s 40 yard field goal. The Falcons recovered the onside kick with .28 seconds left in the game. Ryan was intercepted by Darren Sharper at the New Orleans 49 yard line to preserve the home team’s undefeated season.
John Carney missed a third quarter 37 yard field goal and his field goal leg was a nonfactor for the Saints, who did the majority of their scoring in the second quarter. Brees was 25 for 33 through the air, and New Orleans massacred the Falcons just before the half. The New Orleans signal caller hit Marques Coltson with an 18 yard pass to even the score at 14-14 in the second quarter. Former Heisman Trophy winner, Reggie Bush, scored on a one-yard rush to give the Saints their first lead of the night. Jabari Green intercepted Ryan and returned the ball 48 yards for a touchdown with under a minute left in the half. The Saints headed to the locker room ahead by two scores. The fighting Falcons would not give up. Atlanta scored the only points by any team in the third quarter on a 68 yarder from Ryan to White. The three play drive pulled the Falcons to within seven points, and the defense held New Orleans scoreless through the rest of the third quarter. Elam legged a 25 yard field goal after a 70 yard 6:45 Falcons drive to open the fourth. The Saints held strong and ran out the clock, setting up Thomas’ second touchdown. The Falcons never recaptured the lead and finished with their third loss of 2009.
Winning has become a mere formality for the gritty Saints. Their defense is a force in stopping the Falcons in the Superdome last night. Payton’s Saints are 7-0 for the first time in the club’s 43 year history. The big-play, tenacious defense was superb even after allowing the Falcons to gain 442 yards. The Saints fended off nine passes and recorded three sacks and interceptions. Sharper and Tracy Porter prevented potential fourth quarter gains by Atlanta. The Saints defensive backfield is one of the best in the NFL. New Orleans has scored six defensive touchdowns this year. The underrated unit has tallied at least two turnovers in each of their first seven contests. New Orleans pressures quarterbacks into making errant throws. The offense is able to capitalize on the opportunities afforded by the stout defense. Payton is quickly fortifying the Saints and cementing his place in the NFL coaching circles with a perfect season.

Parting Points: “Lay aside immaturity and walk in the way of insight”
Everybody should pick up the Foo Fighters’ greatest hits album out today. They are arguably one of the best rock bands of the last decade.
The Phillies sure figured out A.J. Burnett last night. Philadelphia jumped on Burnett early in the count and attacked pitches out of the zone with success. I hope Pettitte’s reputation as a big game playoff pitcher is vindicated tomorrow night.
If I have to see Chase Utley leave the yard one more time this week, I am going to be sick.