Game recap: The Saints yet again fought off another tough opponent in NFC South foe Atlanta and remains undefeated for yet another week.

Fantasy stud: Michael Turner, RB, ATL (20 carries, 151 yards, one touchdown)
In a game with many offensive performers, Turner had the best game, but not by much. Falcons WR Roddy White caught four passes for 108 yards and a touchdown, TE Tony Gonzalez caught six passes for 89 yards and QB Matt Ryan was 19 of 42 for 289 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. As for the Saints, RB Pierre Thomas set the tone on the ground with 14 carries for 91 yards, a rushing touchdown and a receiving score; WR Marques Colston caught six passes for 85 yards and a touchdown; TE Jeremy Shockey caught five passes for 72 yards; and QB Drew Brees was 25 of 33 for 308 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

Fantasy duds: Jason Elam, K, ATL (two field goal misses)
While he wasn’t necessarily a fantasy dud per say, Elam missed two crucial field goal attempts that would have kept the game even closer than it was. In an eight-point game, any and every point counts, right? Saints RB Mike Bell had 17 carries for 49 yards, which is fine for what he is – a backup. However, he did lose a fumble late in the game that gave the Falcons some temporary life. Also, Saints RB Reggie Bush had four touches for 14 total yards, but he did rush for a score.

Key injuries: Saints starting C Jonathan Goodwin left the game in the fourth quarter with a knee injury and did not return as it was the Saints final drive of the game. Jamar Nesbit replaced him in the lineup. The severity of his injury was unclear immediately after the game, but it can mean something for Brees and Thomas down the road.

Let me introduce you to: Aaron Stecker, RB, Falcons – Stecker really didn’t do much in the game (two receptions for 12 yards), but the newly-acquired Falcon and former Saint, who was signed on Oct. 27, got in the game because the Falcons were hampered at the RB position with backup Jerious Norwood (hip) and Jason Snelling (hamstring) inactive for the game.

Stat of the day: In Turner’s 13th career 100-yard game, this is the first time his team has ever lost.

Rookie look: Saints P Thomas Morstead punted just twice, recording an even 40-yard average with a long of 47.

Defense/Special teams: The Falcons forced the Saints into four turnovers (three fumbles and an interception), but allowed 437 total net yards and got to Brees twice. DT Kroy Biermann had a 4-yard fumble return for score. The Saints, depite allowing 442 total net yards, sacked Ryan three times and picked him off three time, including one time for a 48-yard TD by DB Jabari Greer and another from DB Tracy Porter at the Saints’ 1-yard line that prevented a possible score.

Look ahead: The Saints will look to go 8-0 as they go up against the Panthers in Week 9, another NFC South foe who has the league's No. 1 passing defense. The Falcons hope to end their two-game losing streak against the team that can end anyone’s losing streak, the Washington Redskins. However, Washington does possess the NFL's No. 2 passing defense.

Things you didn’t know: The Falcons have lost consecutive games for the first time under head coach Mike Smith/QB Matt Ryan’s reign. The Saints, now at 7-0, equal their best start in franchise history and have the easiest schedule in the league from here on out based on opponent’s winning percentage (.359).

Final take: Saints head coach Sean Payton said it best in the post-game conference; they’re not even at the halfway point of the season, so talk about them going undefeated is definitely premature – even with that terribly easy schedule to finish out the season.
 

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