ATLANTA (AP) — Matt Ryan threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Tony Gonzalez, Michael Turner had a 3-yard scoring run and the Atlanta Falcons, motivated by four straight losses in their NFC South rivalry with New Orleans, took a 17-7 halftime lead over the Saints on Thursday night.
Drew Brees has been sharp against the Falcons, averaging 302.8 yards passing as the Saints won 11 of the last 13 in the series, including a 31-27 win in New Orleans on Nov. 11.
Brees threw two interceptions before finally leading a touchdown drive late in the second quarter.
On third and 9 from the Saints 21, Brees completed a 32-yard pass over the middle to Lance Moore. Falcons defensive end Kroy Biermann drew an offside penalty on a third-down play from the Atlanta 26 to keep the drive alive.
Officials initially ruled Pierre Thomas scored on a 10-yard run, but a video review showed his knee was down before he crossed the goal line. Mark Ingram scored from the 1.
Brees led the Saints on another drive but ran out of time. The half ended following Brees' fourth straight pass to running back Darren Sproles, this one inside the Falcons 5. With the Saints out of timeouts, Brees couldn't get his team back to the line before time ran out.
The Falcons made a strong statement on their first possession. Atlanta gained 71 yards on five straight running plays after opening the drive with a 9-yard pass from Ryan to Gonzalez. Turner started the spree with a 35-yard run. Jacquizz Rodgers had back-to-back 14-yard gains before Turner stormed in from the 3.
With his touchdown, Turner snapped a tie with former Falcons receiver Terance Mathis to set the franchise career record with 58 total touchdowns. Turner also has the team record with 57 rushing touchdowns. He caught his first career touchdown pass in Week 4 against Carolina.
Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud intercepted a pass from Brees for Marques Colston in the end zone to end the Saints' first possession.
In the second quarter, Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon intercepted a pass off running back Chris Ivory's hands, setting up Matt Bryant's 45-yard field goal. The pass from Brees was behind Ivory.
Atlanta cornerback Asante Samuel left the game after aggravating his right shoulder injury. Samuel had been listed as questionable with the injury, and he didn't make it through the Saints' opening drive.
Brees completed a 38-yard pass to Joseph Morgan on a third-down play. Samuel, who was covering Morgan, walked off the field with his right arm kept close to his chest.
The Falcons listed Samuel's status as questionable. He stood on the sideline without his helmet the remainder of the half. Robert McClain and Chris Owens took over for Samuel at cornerback.
Atlanta receiver Harry Douglas returned after leaving the game with an ankle injury in the first quarter.
Ryan, Turner help Falcons take 17-7 lead
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Ryan, Turner help Falcons take 17-7 lead
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Ryan, Turner help Falcons take 17-7 lead
