NFL Thanksgiving: Bears, Cowboys, Saints prevail on Turkey Day

NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 22: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints throws the ball during the first half of game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 22, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

New Orleans Saints 31, Atlanta Falcons 17

Winners of nine consecutive games, the New Orleans Saints looked to inch closer to a second straight NFC South title when they hosted their longtime rivals from Atlanta. And the team wasted little time showing why it may be the club to beat in the league this season.

Drew Brees and company took the opening drive 75 yards in seven plays and capped it off with a 28-yards touchdown pass to wide receiver Tommylee Lewis just 3:49 into the contest. When Atlanta got its turn, its first effort of evening resulted in a turnover. It would be the theme of the game for Dan Quinn’s club as quarterback Matt Ryan put the ball on the turf three times and lost one of those miscues. All told, the Falcons coughed up the football four times in the 14-point loss.

As for the Saints, it was another balances performance by their offense. The 1-2 punch of running backs Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram heled the club finish with 150 yards on the ground on 31 attempts. Brees only threw for 171 yards and did serve up his second interception of the season. But he also finished with four touchdown pass — each to a different unsung player (Lewis, Austin Carr, Dan Arnold and Keith Kirkwood).

Now tied with the Rams with a 10-1 mark, Sean Payton’s club moved ahead of the NFC West frontrunners in terms of the conference’s top seed due to their win over Los Angeles (45-35) back in Week 9. On the other hand, the Falcons dropped their third consecutive game and fell to 4-7 – putting a third straight playoff appearance very much in jeopardy.