Saints-Falcons Halftime Report

New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons halftime report from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.

New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons halftime report from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.

Sep 11, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) on the field prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons 1st Drive

• Mariota extending plays on rollouts against the Saints defense.  
• Picks up 3 first downs
• Mariota once again uses his legs and outruns Cam Jordan.  3rd and short.
• Ineligible man down field.  Saints force a K Koo 54-yard field goal attempt.
• Attempt successful by Koo
• Drive: 10 plays, 40 yards, 10:40 off the clock.

Score: Saints 0, Falcons 3

Sep 11, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (2) prepares for a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Saints 1st Drive

• Saints start their offense at the 25 yard line.
• Handoff to Alvin Kamara for one yard.
• Winston runs for six yards.  3rd and 3 to go.
• Pass to TE Johnson was incomplete.  Official missed a hold on the play.
• Gilikin punts.

Falcons 2nd Drive

• First down at the 21 yard line.
• Injured Falcons player is D. Williams after Cam Jordan tackles him.  His own player fell on his leg.
• Errant pass by Mariota.
• Marcus Maye slams  Zaccheaus to the turf.
• Deonte Harty catches the 51-yard punt at the 23-yard line.

Saints 2nd Drive

• Taysom Hill runs for 57 yards
• Winston to Johnson Incomplete in the endzone
• Taysom Hill 11 yard touchdown run off the right end.
• Saints delay of game on special teams.
• Taysom Hill resumes his old ways burning the Falcons on the ground.
• Drive: 5 plays, 77 yards, 2:02 TOP

Sep 11, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (7) celebrates with teammates after a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons 3rd Drive

Zaccheaus fumbled, Pete Werner forces the fumble, and recovered by Roby.

Saints 3rd Drive

• At 43 yard line.
• Winston misses Michael Thomas.
• Ingram picks up six yards for the first down.
• Winston to Hill for 2 yards.  
• Hand off to Kamara.  3rd down.
• Pressure on Winston, pass incomplete as Landry stumbled.
• Lutz attempt is no good off the left upright.
• A long first quarter.

Falcons 4th Drive

• Patterson runs for a 1st down on the right side.
• Payton Turner offsides.
• Atlanta offensive line is creating openings and pushing around New Orleans defensive line. in the first quarter.
• Patterson for seven yard to the left side.
• Cam Jordan tackles Patterson at the end of the first quarter.

Summary: 

• Winston is 2/6 for 6 yards.
• Saints defensive line getting pushed around. 

1st Qtr Score:  Saints 7, Falcons 3

Falcons 4th Drive (Cont'd)

• Patterson picks up the first down.
• New Orleans run defense appears winded.
• Adrian Williams gains 8 yards.
• Patterson scores the Falcons touchdown with 12:12 on the clock in the 2nd quarter.
• Patterson had over 50 yards of rushing offense on the Falcons TD drive. 9 plays, 66 yards 5:30 

Saints 7, Falcons 10

Saints 4th Drive

• Saints begin at the 25-yard line.
• Swing pass to Kamara.
• Kamara rushes up the gut, stopped after 2 yards.
• Winston scrambles, but short of the first down.
• New Orleans offense cannot find a rhythm in the first half.

Falcons 5th Drive

• 1st down from Patterson
• Mariota to Pitts overthrown.
• Holding call on ATL.  2nd down and 20.
• 3rd and 9.
• Saints pass rush is non-existent in the first half.

Saints Fifth Drive

• 6:45 left in the first half
• Kamara gains 6 yards.
• Penalty, offsides, lined up in the neutral zone.
• 1st down Saints
• Grady Jarrett sacks Winston.
• Winston finds Landry for 11 yards.  3rd down.
• Winston sacked again.  He had opened players.  Hurst couldn't maintain his block.
• Winston appears tentative and doesn't want to make a mistake.

Falcons Sixth Drive

• PI on No. 20 Werner for unnecessary roughness.
• Patterson runs for another first down at New Orleans' 47 yard line.
• 2:00 minute warning.
• Pitts reception ruled an incomplete pass.  The replay booth did not choose to review the play.  He appeared to have possession on a fumble was forced.
• Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 2:41 TOP

Saints 7, Falcons 13

Saints Sixth Drive

• Could not move the football.  The offensive line isn't giving Winston time in the pocket.
• Gilikin 56-yard punt.

Falcons Seventh Drive

• Atlanta immediately gets into scoring position when Mariota passed to rookie WR Drake London for 34 yards.
• Spikes football, field goal attempt.
• 40-yard attempt is good by Koo.  Time of possession 43 seconds.

Saints 7, Falcons 16

1st-Half Standout Players

Saints

• Taysom Hill - 2 rushes, 68 yards, 1 TD

Falcons

• RB Cordarrelle Patterson - 12 rushes, 83 yards, 1 TD