Falcons vs. Saints: Mike Smith unhappy with loss, happy with resiliency

Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith was unhappy with Atlanta's loss on Sunday, but pleased with the resiliency the Falcons showed.

Falcons Vs. Saints: Scott Shanle discusses 'classless' Atlanta players

New Orleans Saints linebacker Scott Shanle talked with Yahoo! Sports about how 'classless' some players on the Atlanta Falcons were in Sunday's game.

Falcons vs. Saints recap: Perfect streak ends with 31-27 loss, but so does pressure

The Falcons' bid at perfection ended Sunday as they lost a close, hard-fought road game against the hated, division rival Saints. But with the target off its back, Atlanta will push forward focusing 100% on winning in the playoffs.

Falcons vs. Saints 2012: First loss of season stings Atlanta fans

Atlanta Falcons fans were very disappointed in the team's first loss of the 2012 season against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

Falcons Vs. Saints: Roddy White says Atlanta 'gave' game away

The Atlanta Falcons lost to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, but star wide receiver Roddy White says the team gave it to them

Falcons vs. Saints final score: New Orleans ends Atlanta's undefeated season, 31-27

The Saints needed a huge day from their offense -- and one goal-line stand from the defense -- but New Orleans ruined Atlanta's perfect season with a 31-27 win in the Superdome

Falcons vs. Saints update: New Orleans up 28-24 late in the fourth quarter

Matt Ryan made his first mistake of the day in the third quarter, and it was a costly one.

Though Ryan is a respectable 21-for-30 for 235 yards and two scores entering the fourth quarter, a deep pass intended for Drew Davis on his first drive of the second half was picked off by the Saints.

Drew Brees then led his offense down the field in just seven plays on the ensuing possession, capped off by a seven-yard TD pass to wide receiver Marques Colston. That score put New Orleans up 28-17, and that advantage has held steady to the fourth quarter.

As for the Falcons, their only other offensive possession of the quarter ended in a three-and-out. Former Atlanta linebacker Curtis Lofton would come up with an impressive play to defend a Ryan pass on third and short.

However, early in the fourth quarter the Falcons capped off a truly clutch 14-play, 91 yard drive that was capped off by Tony Gonzalez's second touchdown reception of the day, this one from six yards out.

Excluding the interception, Ryan's has had another quality day thus far, with 279 yards and three touchdowns added to his resume this game.

Stay tuned for the SB Nation game recap following the game's conclusion.

Falcons vs. Saints halftime score: Atlanta down 17-21 as Superdome shootout rolls on

The Atlanta Falcons trail by three points as we enter the second half of this offensive duel in New Orleans.

Both quarterbacks have been nearly impeccable - Matt Ryan is 16-of-20 for 183 yards and two touchdowns, while Drew Brees is 12-of-18 for 152 yards, two touchdowns and an interception - but the running game has been the real difference maker in this one.

While the Saints have already compiled 116 rushing yards on the day, including 67 yards and a touchdown from Chris Ivory, Falcons running back Michael Turner has a paltry 15 yards on 10 carries.

To top that off, wide receiver Julio Jones has yet to return from the sideline after he walked off the field midway through the first quarter. He currently has two catches for 14 yards.

Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez, his two counterparts, have picked up the slack admirably, combining for 10 catches and 156 yards receiving. White has already surpassed 100 yards on the day.

On defense, however, the Falcons have sorely missed outside linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, who is inactive for the second consecutive week with an ankle sprain.

As a result, Drew Brees has exploited that lack of depth at linebacker by connecting with tight end Jimmy Graham five times for 89 yards and two touchdowns already.

Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan will look to make some half-time adjustments and shore up his pass defense as we enter the third quarter.

Julio Jones injury: Falcons WR hurts leg, questionable to return

The Atlanta Falcons have lost a receiver to injury on Sunday.

Falcons vs. Saints update: Atlanta trailing 10-14 after scores by Chris Ivory, Jimmy Graham

The Atlanta Falcons got off to a hot first-quarter start in the Superdome, putting up 10 points in the first four minutes of the ball game, but saw that lead evaporate rather quickly.

On the game's opening possession, Matt Ryan led the Falcons offense on a surgical seven-play, 80 yard drive. Ryan would complete all five of his passes for 83 yards, including a one-yard pass to receiver-eligible offensive lineman Mike Johnson for a touchdown.

On the ensuing drive, Drew Brees' first pass of the game was intercepted by Asante Samuel and returned 13 yards which, after penalty, set the Falcons up with a first down on the Saints 27-yard line.

A failed run by Michael Turner on third down and short resulted in the Falcons settling for a field goal, a 37-yard kick by Matt Bryant that split the uprights. That score put Atlanta up 10-0.

The Saints, however, came roaring back.

New Orleans would score its first points of the day on a long 56-yard run by running back Chris Ivory for a touchdown. Then, after forcing a Falcons punt, Brees would march the Saints down the field for another touchdown, a 29-yard pass to tight end Jimmy Graham.

The Saints now lead 14-10 early in the second quarter of this ball game.

The Falcons are clearly missing star linebacker Sean Weatherspoon in this one, as evident by the poor tackling and surprising ground success of the Saints.

Falcons vs. Saints inactive lists: Charles Mitchell, Sean Witherspoon out for Atlanta

The New Orleans Saints will be without running back Darren Sproles for the second consecutive week as he recovers from a hand injury.

Sproles carried the ball four times against Denver on Oct. 28 and missed the team's 28-13 win over Philadelphia last week. Sproles has 26 carries for 177 yards, 39 receptions for 323 yards and four touchdowns in seven games this season.

The Saints will also be without Courtney Roby (shoulder), Junior Galette (ankle) and Zach Strief (groin).

The Atlanta Falcons will attempt to improve to 9-0 on the season but will be without Charles Mitchell (calf) and Sean Weatherspoon (ankle) on Sunday.

The complete inactive lists for both teams are below:

Atlanta Falcons
QB Dominique Davis
WR Kevin Cone
S Charles Mitchell (calf)
LB Sean Weatherspoon (ankle)
OG Phillipkeith Manley
OT Lamar Holmes
DT Travian Robertson

New Orleans Saints
RB Darren Sproles (hand)
WR Courtney Roby (shoulder)
DE Junior Galette (ankle)
T Zach Strief (groin)
LB Scott Shanle
CB Elbert Mack
DT Tyrunn Walker

Falcons vs. Saints 2012: Game preview, kickoff time, TV schedule and more

Atlanta will try to stay unbeaten when it travels to New Orleans for a big NFC South matchup.

Falcons Vs. Saints: Roddy White is no fan of New Orleans

Ahead of Sunday's big NFC South matchup, Falcons wide receiver Roddy White had some choice words about the Saints.

Falcons Vs. Saints injury report: Darren Sproles biggest presence on New Orleans' report

The New Orleans Saints will face the Atlanta Falcons without the services of running back Darren Sproles, who is out with a broken hand.

Falcons vs. Saints injury report: Asante Samuel probable for Week 10

The latest injury report from the Atlanta Falcons confirms that Sean Weatherspoon will miss his second consecutive game with an ankle injury.

Falcons' Tyson Clabo campaigning for teammate Todd McClure to make Pro Bowl

The offensive tackle is trying to organize a grassroots following behind the Atlanta center to push him to a Pro Bowl slot.

Falcons Vs. Saints injury report: Sean Weatherspoon ruled out against New Orleans

Falcons' linebacker Sean Weatherspoon will miss his second straight game with an injured ankle.

Falcons Vs. Saints: Roddy White believes Atlanta can go 16-0

Head coach Mike Smith might want his team to take the season one game at a time, but Roddy White said he believes the 8-0 Atlanta Falcons can finish the regular season undefeated.

Mike Cox glad to be back with Falcons

Fullback Mike Cox is thrilled to be getting another chance in Atlanta after the Falcons cut him in training camp.

Falcons add Jacques McClendon to practice squad

The Atlanta Falcons signed offensive lineman Jacques McClendon to their practice squad on Wednesday.

Falcons vs. Saints injury report: Sproles continues to sit out for Saints

The leading return man for New Orleans missed practice Wednesday while recovering from hand surgery.

Falcons vs. Saints injury report: Injuries pile up for the Falcons

Witherspoon and Cone continue to highlight list of non-participants.

Falcons sign FB Mike Cox, waive Lousaka Polite

The Falcons may be undefeated, but they're still looking for ways to improve. Adding fullback Mike Cox in an attempt to improve their 25th-ranked running game is just the latest measure.

Falcons vs. Saints: Jacquizz Rodgers continuing to improve in Atlanta offense

A 31-yard reception by Jacquizz Rodgers helped the Falcons hold off the rallying Dallas Cowboys.

Atlanta Falcons are perfect, but historically one of the worst unbeaten teams

Mike Smith's team are perfect, but one outlet thinks they're not all they're cracked up to be.

NFL odds Week 10: Falcons vs. Saints

The total has gone over in four of New Orleans' last five games when playing at home against Atlanta.

Atlanta Falcons place Garrett Reynolds on injured reserve

Garrett Reynolds was placed on injured reserve today, ending the 25-year-old offensive lineman's season.

Sean Weatherspoon injury: Mike Smith updates status of injured LB

Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith provided an update on Sean Weatherspoon's status during Smith's press conference on Monday.

Peria Jerry Injury: Mike Smith expects injured DT back this week

Mike Smith said Falcons defensive tackle Peria Jerry just needs time to let the swelling in his knee go down. But there is no ligament or cartilage damage.