Saints Vs. Falcons: Julio Jones’ 21-Yard TD Gives Atlanta 10-7 Lead

The Atlanta Falcons struck first on Monday Night Football, taking a 3-0 lead over the New Orleans Saints on the opening drive of the game. A combination of runs by Michael Turner and some nifty passing by Matt Ryan got the Falcons in scoring range, but they had to settle for a field goal. There would be no field goals for the Saints in the first quarter, however.

The Saints got the football down 3-0, and just like the Falcons went right down the football field. The Saints drive was kick started by a nice play-action pass from quarterback Drew Brees to wide receiver Lance Moore for a 38-yard gain.

After the catch, the Saints offense picked up chunk after chunk of yards moving right down the field, capped off by a 4-yard touchdown run by Pierre Thomas, who picked up a 15-yard penalty due to his celebration, putting a bow on the football and giving it to a fan. The Saints took the lead 7-3 on the drive, but the Falcons answered right back.

Thanks to some nice starting field position on the penalty, the Falcons began to go to work marching down the football field. Ryan hit wide receiver Julio Jones on a 25-yard gain followed by a 16-yard pass to Roddy White. The Falcons capped off the drive with a beautiful throw from Ryan to Jones on a skinny post for the touchdown to go up 10-7.