Falcons recapture some good vibes from 2012 with defeat of Saints
ATLANTA — Whatever doubt existed on the Atlanta Falcons sideline probably disappeared as Matt Bryant's field goal sailed through the uprights in overtime.
One year after everything went wrong, the Falcons have reason to believe a lot of things are about to go right again after they clawed back repeatedly to beat the rival New Orleans Saints 37-34 in Sunday's wild opener at the Georgia Dome.
"No doubt about it," said Falcons safety William Moore, whose strip of Saints receiver Marques Colston set up Bryant's 52-yard game winner four plays later.
"I don't want to jump to conclusions, but I'm very positive with my team, the way we worked over these last couple weeks and training camp. I think this year right here, we're going to be special because we're going to work our tail off."
It was just one game, of course, albeit against a talented Saints team that has dominated this matchup in recent years and entered the season as the favorite in the division.
But for the Falcons — who fell a play short of the Super Bowl in the 2012 NFC Championship Game — seeing Matt Ryan outgun Drew Brees and the defense make enough plays to win revived an emotion they didn't experience much in last year's injury-riddled fall to 4-12.
"It feels great. Let's first make that clear — it feels great," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "It'll feel great for a few minutes, and then you're going to start running through in your mind, in your head, 'OK, we could've done this, could've done that, could've done that.' "
The Falcons gave up 472 yards on defense. They allowed the Saints to rush for 5 yards per carry and convert 62% of third downs. They had breakdowns in coverage. They made mistakes on offense, too — none more damaging than Julio Jones' fumble at the Saints 5-yard line as New Orleans built a 20-7 lead in the first half.
But Ryan was sensational in a spread-out, shotgun-heavy attack, completing 31 of 43 passes to nine receivers for 448 yards and three touchdowns. After Mark Ingram's 3-yard TD run gave New Orleans a 34-31 lead with 1:20 to go, Ryan hit Harry Douglas for 13 yards, Jones for 12 and Devin Hester for 21 to get in range for a 51-yard Bryant boot that tied the game.
"Almost 75% completion, over 400 yards and (Ryan) took care of the football," said Brees, who finished 29-of-42 for 333 yards with a touchdown and a costly interception in the end zone. "It can't get any better than that."
Moore's rake on Colston and teammate Joplo Bartu's recovery on the second play of OT gave the Falcons possession at the Saints 38. Smith was content to put the game on Bryant's foot from there. Colston spiked his helmet on the sideline in frustration.
Early chants of "WHO DAT?" from a robust throng of Saints fans among the crowd of 70,706 turned to "WE DAT!" as Falcons fans left the building. In the postgame interview room, Falcons owner Arthur Blank wrapped Ryan in a hug.
"Seriously, as much as you don't want to go to overtime, I don't think there was any better way to start the season because it showed that the Falcons this year (are) ready to finish," Moore said. "We could've laid down in overtime, but we didn't."
For the Saints, the setback figures to be short-lived. Last week, coach Sean Payton showed players scores of games against Atlanta since he became coach in 2006 — 10 of the 16 decided by eight points or fewer. Entering Sunday, the Saints were 13-3 in those contests.
The New Orleans offense poses matchup problems with tight end Jimmy Graham and rookie receiver Brandin Cooks. A defense that statistically was among the league's best last season didn't make many plays Sunday, though, aside from big-money addition Jairus Byrd's early strip on Jones.
"We'll get it together, I promise you that. Definitely," Saints cornerback Keenan Lewis said. "Only one team went 16-0. We'll be ready."
But for the Falcons, whose 23-17 loss in last season's opener at New Orleans set the tone, there's hope. There's also a lot of football to be played before these teams meet again Dec. 21 at the Superdome.
The Falcons are nicked up already, too. Top draft pick Jake Matthews, who took over at left tackle for injured Sam Baker in the preseason, didn't finish Sunday's game after injuring his left ankle and left the stadium in a walking boot.
And if Bryant had missed one of those kicks, it sure would've felt like 2013 all over again.
"For the next three days, unfortunately, you guys are going to analyze all of it," Smith said. "Have at it. We're on to the Cincinnati Bengals in about an hour and forty-five minutes."
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Follow Tom Pelissero on Twitter @TomPelissero