NEW ORLEANS -- A few thoughts on the Atlanta Falcons' 30-14 win Sunday over the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
What it means: The Falcons, now 6-9, kept their postseason hopes alive by beating their bitter rival -- on the road, no less. If they beat the Carolina Panthers next Sunday at home, the Falcons win the NFC South and host a first-round playoff game. They controlled their destiny entering the day, and Sunday took care of the hardest part of the equation.
Julio the Man: Give receiver Julio Jones credit for fighting through an oblique injury. Jones finished the day with seven catches for 107 yards and really sparked the offense. His 24-yard catch before halftime set up Matt Ryan's 3-yard touchdown pass to Eric Weems that allowed the Falcons to take a much-needed 13-7 lead into the locker room. The Falcons needed Jones, just like they'll need him to beat the Panthers next week.
Stock watch: The defense's stock soared with this performance. Cornerback Robert McClain, thought to be the weak link in the secondary, jumped a route late in the game to come up with a crucial interception that helped the Falcons seal the game on Matt Bryant's 32-yard field goal. Kemal Ishmael's forced fumble and recovery to start the fourth quarter was the play of the game. And the Falcons had a season-high five sacks, getting after Drew Brees like they were unable to do in the season opener. The defense gave the Falcons a chance, which wasn't expected. Remember, the Falcons entered Sunday as statistically the worst defense in the league. Osi Umenyiora closed the game with an 86-yard touchdown off a fumble recovery.
Game ball: Matt Ryan, with 322 passing yards, deserves consideration for playing with poise. Jones deserves consideration, too. But I'm giving my game balls to McClain and Ishmael. Give rookie safety Dez Southward credit, too, for holding Jimmy Graham out of the end zone on the first play of the fourth quarter, but Ishmael forced the fumble and recovered it.
What's next: The Falcons play their regular-season finale against the Panthers (6-8-1) next Sunday at the Georgia Dome. When the teams met on Nov. 16, the Falcons walked away with a 19-17 win in a game that featured plenty of scuffles.
