The New Orleans Saints have claimed their second win of the season by beating the previously undefeated Atlanta Falcons 31-21 at the Superdome.
The early signs were promising for the Saints and the home fans as Drew Brees led them to a score on the opening drive, with Mark Ingram holding off two challenges to complete a two-yard rush for the touchdown.
Matt Ryan was not enjoying the same success with his offense, and a turnover on downs after a retrieved fumble from the quarterback summed up a sluggish start from the Falcons.
It was special teams who delivered the goods for the Saints for the second touchdown as Michael Mauti blocked a Matt Bosher punt, before snatching the loose ball and making his way into the endzone as the home team claimed a 14-0 lead.
Ryan started to hit his receivers more regularly as the first half progressed, and a quicker tempo appeared to make a difference as the Falcons got on the board through Roddy White, who found plenty of space to bring in the seven-yard pass from his quarterback.
Another fumble followed for Ryan as Atlanta pushed to draw level prior to the half-time interval, before Saints kicker Zach Hocker sent a 51-yard field goal attempt wide.
Hocker was on target with a 31-yard attempt midway through the third quarter, and New Orleans had a firm grip of the game when they moved 17 points ahead on their next drive.
It was a combination which became familiar throughout the night as Brees found Benjamin Watson, who received 10 passes for 127 yards in the game, with a confident play on fourth and goal as he invited pressure before finding his wide open receiver in the middle of the endzone.
The Falcons hit back early in the fourth quarter as Jacob Tamme produced a catch on the stretch to extend the drive, before Ryan turned to Devonta Freeman as the second-year running back continued his impressive season with a 25-yard sprint for his ninth touchdown of the campaign.
Hopes of a fightback appeared to be dashed on a patient 11-play 80-yard drive as Ingram recovered from being held up once on the line by charging over on the next play for his second score of the night as Brees led his side to respond to the error on defense.
The frustration was clear for Ryan moments later as sacks on successive plays forced the Falcons to immediately give possession away, but the Saints faltered on the next drive as they eventually settled for a 38-yard field goal attempt from Hocker, who missed for the second time.
Despite seeing Freeman reach double figures for touchdowns for the season when he evaded a tackle close to the sideline on the way to the endzone, Dan Quinn would not witness another late comeback from his side.
The Saints' win moves them to 2-4 for the season.
Callum Mulvihill
