NEW ORLEANS -- It was crazy to think the Atlanta Falcons could rely on the defense in a must-win game on the road against a quarterback the caliber of Drew Brees.
Then something unexpected happened Sunday. The Falcons found a way to generate a consistent pass rush. They came up with key third-down stops. They made coming up with turnovers look routine in their 30-14 win.
Yes, the league's worst defense in terms of total yards allowed helped the 6-9 Falcons sweep their nemesis, the New Orleans Saints (6-9), and pave the way for what would be an improbable NFC South title with a win over first-place Carolina (6-8-1) next Sunday. The Falcons could become the first NFL team to go undefeated in their division despite having a losing record.
"That was huge," quarterback Matt Ryan said of the defensive effort. "Our defense played an unbelievable game going against Drew Brees, who's a great quarterback and capable of making plays at any time. But I'm so proud of the effort they gave and the way they executed out there. They were the reason we got it done today."
The Falcons intercepted Brees twice and sacked him five times -- their most sacks in a game this season. They also forced two fumbles, including a jaw-dropping strip and recovery by safety Kemal Ishmael that changed the complexion of the game.
On the fourth-quarter play, Ishmael and rookie safety Dez Southward stood up Saints tight end Jimmy Graham near the goal line after Graham snagged a 12-yard catch. But Ishmael never gave up on the play until he came up with the ball. It kept the Saints, who were trailing 20-7, from coming up with a quick score to start the quarter.
"There was no doubt in my mind it was a fumble," Ishmael said. "It felt good, man. Coach talked about going into this week playing with no regrets; put everything on the line."
The officials reviewed the play, and the ruling was upheld. Referee John Parry explained the call in a pool report.
"We spent the full 60 seconds, and we looked at every [replay] angle," Parry said. "We primarily focused on the angle that was -- I wouldn't say exactly -- but was pretty close to being down on the goal line to try to determine if it was either a score and/or a catch-fumble recovery by Atlanta. There was nothing clear and indisputable to make a change to the ruling from the field. If we would have ruled score, it probably would have stayed a score. If we ruled catch-fumble, recovered Atlanta, nothing enough to change it."
Cornerback Robert McClain made the other key defensive stop in the fourth quarter when he intercepted a Brees pass intended for Nick Toon with 2:35 left and the Falcons clinging to a 20-14 lead. It helped set up Matt Bryant's 32-yard field goal that gave the Falcons just enough breathing space.
"It was about time for me to make a play because I had been around the ball the entire game," McClain said. "Brees, he's going to pick his poison out there. I just felt like I was able to break underneath the receiver and make a play on the ball. I was just happy Brees threw the ball where I was able to catch it."
The Falcons also shut down Saints running back Mark Ingram, holding him to 38 rushing yards on 13 carries. They limited Graham to six catches for 53 yards, although he scored one touchdown. Defensive linemen Jonathan Babineaux (sack), Corey Peters (sack), Ra'Shede Hageman (sack, tackle for loss), and Osi Umenyiora (86-yard touchdown off fumble recovery) all made big plays.
The Falcons even survived a slew of injuries on defense, including a shoulder injury that knocked strong safety William Moore from the game and a hamstring pull that shelved nickelback Josh Wilson. Free safety Dwight Lowery exited with a shoulder injury, too, but returned and even had a sack.
Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan rotated a lot of bodies and kept intense pressure on Brees, which was something he didn't do when the teams met in the season opener.
"We think that we are playing with a lot more consistency," head coach Mike Smith said. "We are playing with a lot of confidence. I believe that we are attacking much better over the last two weeks in terms of defending the run. That, in turn, allows us to transfer into our pass rush. I think that we have done a very good job. The coaching staff put together a very good plan. Mike [Nolan] and his staff did a great job."
Now, the Falcons have to find a way to sustain that defensive effort as they approach their most important game of the season. It's win or go home against the Panthers next Sunday.
Yes, the Falcons already are in the midst of their playoffs.
