Saints vs. Falcons: 3rd-Down Production Likely to Tell Story of Game

Filed under: Atlanta Falcons, Saints, NFC South

ATLANTA -- When the Falcons beat the Saints 27-24 in overtime on Sept. 26, Atlanta tight end Tony Gonzalez caught eight passes for 110 yards. Six of those grabs converted third down to first down.

The average play was third-and-seven and Matt Ryan, the quarterback, found Gonzalez and kept drives percolating. The thing about the Atlanta tight end is he can catch the ball with a defender breathing down his neck. Coverage is there, but the big mitts snatch it.

Where are you Roman Harper? The Saints strong safety will wear Gonzalez like a glove in Georgia Dome. The Saints are going to have to get off the field on third down and to do that they have to minimize Gonzalez.

 

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