Sunday was an interesting study in both teams' demons. (1 Viewer)

[tenordas]

I couldn't help but think the Achille's heel of both Atlanta and New Orleans was on full display in Sunday's game.

Atlanta built a big lead and then blew it in the second half. It's been a recurring theme for them, well more than just their infamous Super Bowl collapse.

Conversely, we had the lead going into the final minute, and one big play blew the game. Atlanta didn't put in a long, tear down the defense drive. They got one lucky play off a rookie mistake. Reminded me of Minnesota, LA, and a few other painful games over the last 5 or 6 years.

- side note: noticed the stat on MNF where Big Ben pulled to 50 come back wins. Brees had 53, one behind Payton's record of 54. I couldn't help thinking how many more comeback wins Drew would have without bad defenses blowing the game during the the final minute or so that often was left after Drew led the team to a go ahead score.

Doesn't make the loss any more palatable; just something that struck me. I truly don't see Atlanta overcoming that tendency to lose leads with the structure of their front office, coaches, and team.

On the other hand, I feel like we are close to erasing our problem with the personnel we've assembled on defense. The best thing about this loss is that it happened now, not late in season or in the playoffs when we're trying to make a push. I guarantee Adebo learned a lesson that will make him a better player for his entire career, and he won't make the mistake again that he made on Sunday. That's a good outlook for the future of our defensive backfield, especially because that kid is an outstanding talent and only needs a little of that experience to make him a special player for a long time (imho).

 

[Moon]

Everyone keeps referencing the Minny Miracle, but that last drive took me back to 2008 vs Washington, close game that ends with a promising rookie CB getting beat:



Hopefully, Adebo gets better from this like Porter did

 

[tenordas]

It doesn't seem like that game was that long ago, but yeah, I remember that one. Super aggravating.

Then again, we won a Super Bowl the year after, with Porter sealing the deal, so...

 

[PuddinheadSr]

Funny thing...immediately after the long pass completion to Patterson I leaned over to my sons and said "The most Falcon thing they could possibly do right now would be to run the ball once to run some clock and to fumble the ball." I just wish I would have predicted us making the recovery while I was at it. LOL

 

[Domeination]

On the other hand, I feel like we are close to erasing our problem with the personnel we've assembled on defense.

Hope you’re right, but I’m not feeling so confident now.

 

[SaintsBrazil]

Yep, steady demoralizing PTSD triggering choke by Atlanta, followed by the give-up-the-big-play-at-the-last-moment and lose the game heartbreak play by the Saints.

 

[los226]

So what you’re saying is the Saints’ demons are stronger than ATL’s demons. That would make the Saints bigger choke artists smh…

 

[UFCSaint]

- side note: noticed the stat on MNF where Big Ben pulled to 50 come back wins. Brees had 53, one behind Payton's record of 54. I couldn't help thinking how many more comeback wins Drew would have without bad defenses blowing the game during the the final minute or so that often was left after Drew led the team to a go ahead score.

This was from 2019 so not sure how many of the numbers have changed with the guys who were still active after this:

 

[texasjefe]

I guarantee Adebo learned a lesson that will make him a better player for his entire career, and he won't make the mistake again that he made on Sunday.

I do not blame Adebo.

Dennis Allen only rushed 4 on the play and a stunt did nothing. You have to bring pressure. And as usual, Marcus Williams, who experts say supposedly shuts down the entire back half of the field, was so woefully late getting over. Worse, Marcus is running half-speed even AFTER Patterson caught the ball on the 46, so Patterson had another 30 YAC. Don't go re-watch the play. It was a joke.

If the Falcons would have done that throwing to Pitts or the new guy, I might have minded less. But to play Cordarrelle Patterson 1-on-1 and only rush 4 was asking for the outcome that happened.

 

[Pkessling]

I couldn't help but think the Achille's heel of both Atlanta and New Orleans was on full display in Sunday's game.

Atlanta built a big lead and then blew it in the second half. It's been a recurring theme for them, well more than just their infamous Super Bowl collapse.

Conversely, we had the lead going into the final minute, and one big play blew the game. Atlanta didn't put in a long, tear down the defense drive. They got one lucky play off a rookie mistake. Reminded me of Minnesota, LA, and a few other painful games over the last 5 or 6 years.

- side note: noticed the stat on MNF where Big Ben pulled to 50 come back wins. Brees had 53, one behind Payton's record of 54. I couldn't help thinking how many more comeback wins Drew would have without bad defenses blowing the game during the the final minute or so that often was left after Drew led the team to a go ahead score.

Doesn't make the loss any more palatable; just something that struck me. I truly don't see Atlanta overcoming that tendency to lose leads with the structure of their front office, coaches, and team.

On the other hand, I feel like we are close to erasing our problem with the personnel we've assembled on defense. The best thing about this loss is that it happened now, not late in season or in the playoffs when we're trying to make a push. I guarantee Adebo learned a lesson that will make him a better player for his entire career, and he won't make the mistake again that he made on Sunday. That's a good outlook for the future of our defensive backfield, especially because that kid is an outstanding talent and only needs a little of that experience to make him a special player for a long time (imho).

I don’t think Adebo made a mistake. The defense was expecting a 10 yard crossing route and left Adebo exposed man to man on the outside against a very fast receiver. Any experienced NFL QB is going to attack there. The scheme was the mistake. Just like it was in Minnesota.

 

[Pkessling]

\\

I do not blame Adebo.

Dennis Allen only rushed 4 on the play and a stunt did nothing. You have to bring pressure. And as usual, Marcus Williams, who experts say supposedly shuts down the entire back half of the field, was so woefully late getting over. Worse, Marcus is running half-speed even AFTER Patterson caught the ball on the 46, so Patterson had another 30 YAC. Don't go re-watch the play. It was a joke.

If the Falcons would have done that throwing to Pitts or the new guy, I might have minded less. But to play Cordarrelle Patterson 1-on-1 and only rush 4 was asking for the outcome that happened.

Totally agree, it was the scheme and not Adebo’s play. I don’t blame Williams either. He was the single high safety and was all the way on the other hash. Why weren’t there 7 DBs on the field?