Falcons 2022 record: 0-1 (T-3rd in NFC South)
Opponent: New Orleans Saints
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA)
Final Score: Saints 27 – Falcons 26
Notable Falcons Performances:
QB Marcus Mariota – 20/33 (60%) for 215 YDS, 12 CAR for 74 YDS, 1 rush TD
RB Cordarrelle Patterson – 22 CAR for 122 YDS, 1 TD
WR Drake London – 5 REC for 74 YDS
S Richie Grant – 10 tackles
Notable Saints Performances:
QB Jameis Winston – 23/34 (67.6%) for 269 YDS, 2 TD, 0 INT
ATH Taysom Hill – 4 CAR for 81 YDS, 1 rush TD
WR Jarvis Landry – 7 REC for 114 YDS
WR Michael Thomas – 5 REC for 57 YDS, 2 TDs
LB Pete Werner – 13 tackles
Next Opponent Preview:
Sunday, September 18 – @ Los Angeles Rams (3:05 pm CDT on FOX; Listen locally WTGZ Tiger 95.9 FM)
Los Angeles Rams 2022 record: 0-1
Previous Opponent – Buffalo Bills (L, 31-10)
Players to watch: QB Matt Stafford, WR Cooper Kupp, RB Darrell Henderson Jr., LB Bobby Wagner
Series History: Atlanta trails the series 28-48-2
Takeaways:
The Falcons still have a lot to clean up on both sides of the ball, but they definitely showed some promise. The game plan went accordingly for three quarters, there’s just the ever-lingering issue of closing games. The defensive line did quite well against one of the top offensive lines in the league and got to Jameis Winston in the backfield for four sacks! The offensive line also did a solid job by not allowing a sack against a talented Saints defensive line. The run game was well established as the Falcons snapped the Saints’ league-best 20 game streak of not allowing a 100 yard rusher. The pass game was relatively efficient and rookie WR Drake London had a great debut game, but I think we can all agree that Kyle Pitts should be featured more in the offense as he went for a mere 2 catches for 19 yards. The Falcons have a tall task next week, as they go to Los Angeles to face an even tougher Rams defense.
