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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATL at NO | CAR at ARI | CLE at CHI | DEN at BAL | HOU at BUF | JAX at TEN | MIA at NYJ | MIN at GB |
| NYG at PHI | OAK at SD | SEA at DAL | SF at IND | STL at DET | |||
Week 8 Game Recap: Atlanta Falcons 27, New Orleans Saints 35
Atlanta Falcons
| QB Matt Ryan, Pass: 19 - 42 - 289 - 1 TD / 3 INT, Rush: 3 - 9 - 0 |
Ryan had a rough night. He was under pressure for the entire game, and he never seemed to get completely comfortable in the pocket. He was uncharacteristically off on many of his throws, broke the pocket too early at times, and even felt pressure when it wasn't there. Ryan's interceptions were on a play that he didn't read Jabari Greer, who peeled off of his man when he diagnosed the play, a tremendous tipped pass by Jon Vilma in the red zone when the Falcons were about to take the lead, and a hail mary at the end of the game. Ryan looked his best on timing throws to Roddy White. His long TD to White was underthrown, but White's physical game took over and he made the catch and run for the TD. It is a testament to Ryan that he had the team in position to win despite being off his game.
| RB Michael Turner, Rush: 20 - 151 - 1 |
Turner put to rest any questions about his burst and effectiveness coming off a 370+ carry season. He was gashing the defense inside and outside, seeing holes and cutback lanes very well, and flashing that breakaway speed that is so rare in such a big, rugged back. He got the corner very easily on his TD, and he broke long runs throughout the game, including a late run that was stopped, but Turner kept his legs churning and set up the Falcons for a possible go-ahead score. He can be trusted as the RB1 you drafted him to be.
| RB Aaron Stecker, Rec: 2 - 12 - 0 (2 targets) |
Stecker had a few catches, including one in the red zone, but he wasn't used nearly as often as Jason Snelling has been in recent weeks, even though he was replacing Snelling in the lineup.
| WR Michael Jenkins, Rec: 4 - 66 - 0 (9 targets) |
Jenkins had a drive-killing drop and seemed tentative, but he caught a pass over the middle in the second half to restore some confidence. His fantasy value is marginal.
| WR Roddy White, Rec: 4 - 108 - 1 (13 targets) |
White worked his short routes, long routes, timing throws, jumpballs, just about anything a team asks a WR to do in the passing game. He used his body to block out, made a nice run after a quick slant catch, tracked a deep ball and overwhelmed the smaller corner, and even gave a terrific diving effort on a would-be game-tying TD that was overturned by replay because the ball hit the ground. He is everything the Falcons and his fantasy owners could have asked for this year.
| TE Tony Gonzalez, Rec: 6 - 89 - 0 (9 targets) |
Gonzalez owned the middle of the field at times, making a nice move to get in the red zone after the catch early, helping the two-minute drill with some tough catches, and then extending a scoring drive with a fourth-down catch in the red zone. He is keeping the safeties occupied so Roddy White doesn't get constant double coverage, and putting up good numbers in the process.
New Orleans Saints
| QB Drew Brees, Pass: 25 - 33 - 308 - 2 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 2 - 3 - 0 |
Brees didn't exactly have his way with the Falcons secondary, but he teamed up with his receivers to get big plays at key moments, and defeat a Falcons defense that was getting decent pressure and covering pretty well against the juggernaut Saints passing offense. Brees fumble that was returned for six came on a play with a delayed safety blitz that Brees underestimated. His interception could have been a big play, but Brent Grimes made one of the DB plays of the year with a levitating, explosive leap to pick the ball out of the air. Otherwise, Brees was putting the ball up in places for Colston, Shockey, and company to make one on one plays, and they didn't disappoint. Brees didn't dissect the Falcons as much as he just let his playmakers outplay them.
| RB Mike Bell, Rush: 17 - 49 - 0 |
Bell ran hard as always, but his late fumble let the Falcons have one last gasp, and his more disciplined running style may be hurt by the loss of lead blocking fullback Heath Evans more than Thomas. Bell didn't get exclusive short yardage or goal line work, and after Thomas's performance, he might get even less work in the early parts of games because he doesn't offer the same upside on his touches.
| RB Pierre Thomas, Rush: 14 - 91 - 1, Rec: 2 - 9 - 1 (2 targets) |
Thomas gave the Saints an inspired performance. He ran with an outstanding initial burst and terrific toughness, knocking tacklers backwards and taking them on with gusto in the open field. He broke a tackle and made another tackler miss on his TD run, and he hurtled his body over a would-be tackler to score on his TD reception. Thomas got consistent yards after contact, and he just as physical a presence in the running game as Mike Bell. His short yardage runs showed good instincts, vision, and leg drive, and he just missed scoring a third TD when his first and goal run was stopped at the one. Thomas is poised to be a second-half stud, just like he was last year.
| RB Reggie Bush, Rush: 2 - 3 - 1, Rec: 2 - 11 - 0 (3 targets) |
Bush scored easily on a pitch at the goal line after a fake that the defense bit on, but otherwise, he had little effect on this game. He is a novelty player and he will continue to be on the margins of this offense unless injuries strike.
| WR Marques Colston, Rec: 6 - 85 - 1 (6 targets) |
Colston put up nice numbers even though the offense was balanced vs. the Falcons. He scored by blocking out a defender on a pass from Brees that was perfectly placed so that Colston would naturally shield the DB from the ball. Colston absorbed punishment to make some key catches over the middle and a late catch to help the clinching TD drive. He is Brees main man, and Brees trusts him to catch 50/50 balls in tight coverage.
| WR Devery Henderson, Rec: 4 - 46 - 0 (6 targets) |
Henderson had one long gain taken away by a spectacular Brent Grimes INT, and he also had two catches inside the five. A much bigger fantasy day was there for him with a few breaks. He did have offensive pass interference called on him, but he is no danger of losing his starting job as he is providing the field-stretching speed that is just one more element in this lethal passing game.
| WR Lance Moore, Rec: 2 - 11 - 0 (2 targets) |
Moore had a few short catches early, including one to move the chains, but he hurt his shin, and he wasn't heard from in the second half. He still has great upside if he is called on, but with the full complement of weapons all staying healthy, Moore is on the outside looking in when targets are doled out.
| WR Robert Meachem, Rec: 2 - 47 - 0 (2 targets) |
Meachem had one deep catch over the middle, and he also made a very tough sideline catch for a nice gain. His sideline catch was impressive, but it was still body caught. He will continue to be a desperation upside play unless injuries strike the Saints WR corps.
| TE Jeremy Shockey, Rec: 5 - 72 - 0 (6 targets) |
Shockey looked as good as he has all year, making leaping catches and running well after the reception. Shockey is approaching the fluid, strong, athletic game he had with the Giants, and he has gained the trust of Brees to the point that Brees is now giving him 50/50 balls into tight coverage, and Shockey is finishing the play. He is an everyweek TE start unless you have an elite option to play ahead of him.
| TE David Thomas, Rec: 2 - 27 - 0 (5 targets) |
Thomas got the start at fullback and made a few checkdown catches for decent gains, but a drop and good coverage kept him from making more of this opportunity.