Julio Jones scored two touchdowns, Tony Gonzalez caught 10 passes and the Falcons defense forced four turnovers, as Atlanta defeated their NFC South rival the New Orleans Saints 38-27 on NFL Network's "Thursday Night Football."
The Falcons avenged their lone loss of the season with an incredible offensive performance by Matt Ryan, who went 27 of 33 for 343 yards and three touchdowns. Michael Turner added 79 yards on 17 carries with one touchdown and Roddy White had four receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown.
Early in the game, the Falcons' defense intercepted two Drew Brees' passes that led to two Atlanta touchdowns giving the Falcons a 21-13 lead heading into the locker room at the end of the first half.
The Saints opened up the third quarter with a 14-play 83-yard drive for a touchdown. Brees hit tight end Jimmy Graham for a 21-yard touchdown completion.He finished the game with 299 yard and three touchdowns. He was also picked-off three times in the game.
Pierre Thomas and Mark Ingram combined for 112 yards on the ground and Lance Moore added 65 yards receiving.
The Saints took a six point lead late in the third quarter after Cameron Jordan created a turnover on strip-sack of Ryan that gave the Saints the ball deep in Atlanta territory. On the very next play Brees threw a pass to Devery Henderson for a 17 touchdown.
On the next Atlanta possession, trailing 27-21, Ryan scrambled and shifted around the pocket and found a wide-open White for a 32-yard pass that the speedy receiver took the rest of the way for a touchdown to give Atlanta a 28-27 lead going into the fourth.
The Falcons defense tightened up in the final fifteen minutes of the game and forced two consecutive three and outs. Atlanta took advantage and scored a field goal and a touchdown on their next two possessions putting them up 38-27.
The Saints still had time in the fourth quarter, but Brees was picked off for the third time deep in Atlanta territory effectively ending the game.The Saints have now dropped two games in a row.
Do you think Madden NFL '13 got tonight's game right? So far the record of the simulations in Madden NFL 13 is 20-13. Read about the inclusion of real referees in Madden NFL '14 here.
Here is a list of Madden NFL 13's simulations for prime time games so far this season...
Week 1
Cowboys Vs. Giants
Week 2
Packers Vs. Bears
49ers Vs. Lions
Broncos Vs. Falcons
Week 3
Giants Vs. Panthers
Patriots Vs. Ravens
Packers Vs. Seahawks
Week 4
Browns Vs. Ravens
Giants Vs. Eagles
Bears Vs. Cowboys
Week 5
Cardinal Vs. Rams
Chargers Vs. Saints
Texans Vs. Jets
Week 6
Steelers Vs. Titans
Packers Vs. Texans
Broncos Vs. Chargers
Week 7
Seahawks Vs. 49ers
Steelers Vs. Bengals
Week 8
Buccaneers Vs. Vikings
49ers Vs. Cardinals
Week 9
Chiefs Vs. Chargers
Cowboys Vs. Falcons
Eagles Vs. Saints
Week 10
Colts Vs. Jaguars
Texans Vs Bears
Chiefs Vs Steelers
Week 11
Miami Vs. Buffalo
49ers Vs. Bears
Week 12
Redskins Vs. Cowboys
Patriots Vs. Jets
Packers Vs. Giants
Panthers Vs. Eagles
Week 13
Saints Vs. Falcons