MNF Recap: Saints at Falcons

The weekly recaps are written by former Stanford kicker Derek Belch.

Saints 17
Falcons 14

Brees gets the W, but probably not for you

While last night had all the makings of a potential offensive shootout, it was the defenses that stole the show in the season’s final Monday Night Football game. While Drew Brees led his team to another fourth quarter comeback win, he was just average from a fantasy perspective at a time when you needed him most. While his numbers were solid at first glance – 35 of 49 for 302 yards and one touchdown – he also threw two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Those two picks likely cost many owners a fantasy championship, and put Brees in the 20-INT club for the first time in his career. Brees has thrown for over 4,000 yards and over 30 touchdowns for the third straight season, so it’s hard to say that anything was wrong with him this year. The high interception total was probably a product of Brees trying to do too much due to several Saints injuries and an inconsistent running game this season, but still surprising, to say the least.

Much to the disappointment of Marques Colston and Lance Moore owners everywhere, Brees’ top target last night was Robert Meachem, as the two hooked up ten times (on 13 targets) for 101 yards. It was only Meachem’s second 100 yard game of the season, and the first time all year he has caught more than six passes in a game. Colston and Moore meanwhile, were the victims of heavy defensive attention, catching two passes for 21 yards and four passes for 48 yards, respectively. Colston did get loose for a long touchdown strike, but it was called back due to a penalty.

One guy to keep an eye on next year is rookie tight end Jimmy Graham, who scored last night for the second straight game, and fourth time overall this season. While Graham hasn’t posted more than five catches in a single game all season, he and incumbent starter Jeremy Shockey have gone in opposite directions the last half of the season. Additionally, Coach Sean Payton has been caught gushing about Graham on more than one occasion this year, saying that he wouldn’t be surprised if Graham was one of the top five tight ends in the league a few years from now.

Falcon Offense Struggles

In a game that could have locked up the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, the Falcons offense laid an egg. Matt Ryan, who was coming off a three touchdown performance last week against Seattle, struggled to get things going through the air, throwing for only 148 yards and one touchdown against a Saints defense that, while pretty good at times this year, is not invincible. Ryan’s low yardage total meant similarly low totals for his receivers, as no Falcon caught more than five passes or surpassed 50 yards for the first time this year. While Roddy White scored in back-to-back games for only the second time this season, he only caught three passes for 43 yards, and hasn’t surpassed 100 since week 10 against Baltimore. Michael Jenkins, who also scored last week in Seattle, led the Falcons with five catches for 40 yards (on nine targets), and would have scored had it not been for his being all but tackled in the endzone on a second quarter deep ball from Ryan.

The Falcons run game also struggled last night, as Michael Turner gained only 48 yards on 17 carries against a Saints defense that allowed Ray Rice to go for over 150 last week. Despite being one of the hottest runners in the league in the second half of the season, Turner delivered two stinkers when championships were on the line (he rushed for 82 yards and no touchdowns last weekend in Seattle). If your league happens to be playing next weekend and you own Turner, look for a nice bounce-back game next week in a game the Falcons must win against a terrible Carolina team.

Quick Hits

The first time the Falcons and Saints met this year, Tony Gonzalez posted his best game of the season, catching 8 passes for 110 yards and a score. It was Gonzalez’s only 100 yard game of the year, and tied his highest single-game catch total of the season. Last night, Gonzalez delivered the exact opposite, catching only 2 passes for 12 yards. Thanks a lot, Tony… If only Pierre Thomas could stay healthy for a complete season. The fourth year man out of Illinois was playing in only his sixth game of the season last night, carrying 19 times for 63 yards and a touchdown. Thomas looked refreshed and explosive, despite nearly being shut down earlier this season due to a ligament injury in his ankle. He should be able to torch a soft Tampa rush defense next week, in the event that you need him.

Thanks to all for reading this season! Looking forward to next year!