NEW ORLEANS -- We were supposed to be worried about this resurgent New Orleans Saints defense in the wake of season-ending injuries to linebacker A.J. Klein and safety Kenny Vaccaro this week.
Instead, the Saints’ defense gave one of its most emphatic performances in the team’s biggest game yet -- a 23-13 victory over the rival Falcons with control of the NFC South at stake.
The Saints (11-4) have now clinched their first playoff berth since 2013. And they can clinch the division title with a win at Tampa Bay next week or a loss by the Carolina Panthers (11-4) at Atlanta (9-6).
More importantly, they look like a team that’s ready for the playoffs. New Orleans had hit a little bit of a lull with two losses in the past four weeks and a sloppy victory at home over the New York Jets last Sunday. But this game put an exclamation point on a great defense.
“Our defensive was magnificent,” Saints coach Sean Payton said in his opening statement -- pointing out that the Saints had also lost starters like DE Alex Okafor, LB Alex Anzalone and CB Delvin Breaux to season-ending injuries earlier in the year. “I thought that was the difference in the game.”
From Marshon Lattimore’s incredible “butt pick” in the second quarter to a pair of goal-line stands in the second half, New Orleans’ D came up with game-saving plays time and time again. Atlanta didn’t score its first touchdown until there was 2:40 left in the game.
The “butt pick” was easily the play of the game -- and one that will be talked about for years to come. A deep pass actually came to rest on top of Lattimore’s backside as he lay facedown, and he was able to secure it against his right thigh with help from teammates Marcus Williams and Craig Robertson. Three plays later, Saints QB Drew Brees hit Ted Ginn Jr. for a 54-yard touchdown pass and a 13-0 halftime lead.
But the goal-line stands were just as big. Defensive tackle Tyeler Davison forced a fumble by Falcons running back Devonta Freeman on second-and-goal from the 1-yard line in the third quarter after Atlanta had threatened to swing momentum with an interception in Saints territory. And linebacker Manti Te’o made a terrific effort to pounce on the loose ball.
Then on the final play of the third quarter, Lattimore tackled Julio Jones just shy of the goal line on third down (which led to a very close replay review). And on fourth-and-inches, Saints linebacker Hau’oli Kikaha and cornerback Ken Crawley combined to stuff Freeman short of a touchdown.
Te’o had an excellent game with two big-time tackles for loss and the fumble recovery, which is huge since his role has expanded in the wake of Klein’s season-ending groin injury.
Meanwhile, Saints standout defensive end Cameron Jordan padded his resume as a NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate with two more sacks (for 12 on the season). And the Saints had a total of five sacks, including 1.5 by recently signed DE George Johnson.
And the matchup between Lattimore and Jones lived up to the hype. Jones caught seven passes for 149 yards (including an unofficial five for 125 against Lattimore in man coverage). But Lattimore had the interception, the end zone tackle and two pass breakups on third downs against Jones as they went back and forth throughout the day.