2nd chance pays off for Atlanta in 34-31 win over Saints

By John Onan | Sunday, October 16, 2005 | ( 0 )

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After his first attempt at winning the game for the Atlanta Falcons with a 41-yard field goal was wide left, kicker Todd Peterson was given another opportunity after a New Orleans Saints defensive lineman was penalized for holding. He made the most of the controversial call, knocking in a 36-yarder through the uprights as time expired to give his team a 34-31 victory on Sunday.

The Saints did come out with a better effort than last week, when they were embarrassed 52-3 by the Green Bay Packers. They returned to their makeshift home of San Antonio, and came from behind three different times, as they appeared headed to overtime after Peterson's initial miss.

The Atlanta Falcons led 31-24, when Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Devery Henderson with 3:51 remaining to tie the game at 31-31. Brooks went 22-of-33 on the day for 259 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

The New Orleans Saints also got a great effort out of their two running backs, Aaron Stecker and Antowain Smith, who were substituting for Deuce McAllister. With their star back out for the season, the two combined for 172 yards on 28 carries and Smith scored twice. On the downside, their offense and special teams each gave up a touchdown, once on a fumble return for a score, and another on a blocked field goal taken back to the end zone right before the half.

Falcons signal caller Michael Vick came back after missing last weeks game, and led his team on the game-winning drive. He was equally dangerous with his legs as his arm, as he rushed for 51 yards on eight carries, and tossed a touchdown, while completing 11-of-23 for 112 yards. Vick was also intercepted once.

On the final drive, he connected on all four of his throws for 41 yards. Warrick Dunn led the Falcons rushing attack with 100 yards on 22 carries and a touchdown.
The Atlanta Falcons moved to 4-2 with the win, while the New Orleans Saints fell to 2-4.

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