You can’t miss that kick, Garrett Hartley. You just can’t.
Ten out of 10 times you have to make that kick. You’re in a dome from 29 yards out – you can’t miss.
But he missed. Clanked. Saints lose.
If you didn’t see the Falcons-Saints game on Sunday, you missed the best finish of the young season. The game was well played on both sides, the action was outstanding throughout and the outcome came down to the last second – like most football games should.
But you can’t miss that kick, Hartley.
The Saints had moved into position to kick the game-winning field goal with about eight minutes remaining in overtime. Hartley then pushed a 29-yard chip shot to the left and it clanked off the left upright to give the Falcons new life.
Thanks to a motivated Michael Turner and Jason Snelling, Atlanta took the gift and marched 57 yards on 12 plays to set up a 46-yard game-winning Matt Bryant field goal to beat the Saints, 27-24. The drive was also helped by a pass interference call on Jabari Greer to give the Falcons a new set of downs when it looked like New Orleans was going to get the ball back on fourth down.
In the end, the Falcons did what they had to do to win and by no means was this a cheap victory. They went into New Orleans and traded haymaker after haymaker with the Saints for four and a half quarters. Matt Ryan (19-of-30 for 228 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs) was outstanding, Michael Turner (30 carries, 114 yards, 1 TD) was bruising and Tony Gonzalez (8 catches, 110 yards, 1 TD) silenced critics who said he has lost a step. The defense also forced three turnovers and was aided by the offense controlling the clock for 45:50 to the Saints’ 27:15.
It was a tremendous win for the Falcons, especially since it was on the road. The overtime loss to the Steelers in Week 1 now feels like a distant memory.
As for the Saints, Hartley has to make that kick but as always, there were other factors that decided the game. Drew Brees threw two interceptions, including one inside Atlanta territory that he underthrew in a desperate attempt to make a play. Chris Ivory also fumbled inside Falcons’ territory and the defense allowed Atlanta to chew up 11 minutes of the clock on a touchdown drive to tie the game at 14-14 heading into halftime. (That was the same drive where the Saints allowed the Falcons to convert two fourth down plays.)
Of course, all of the Saints’ miscues today could have been erased if Hartley makes that field goal. He was a hero six nights ago in San Francisco and now plays the role of the goat today.
This one’s for you, Garrett.
“LONESOME KICKER” from Greg Kohs on Vimeo.
