Saints win 7th straight, beat Falcons in Hill's first start

Driving accurate throws downfield, exhibiting poise in pocket and scrambling judiciously, Taysom Hill capitalized on his first true opportunity to make his case as a candidate to one day succeed record-setting star Drew Brees as Saints quarterback.

Hill rushed for two touchdowns and completed 78.3% of his passes for 233 yards in his first NFL start at quarterback, and New Orleans beat Atlanta Falcons 24-9 on Sunday to extend its winning streak to seven games.

“Man, he played tremendous,” said Saints receiver Michael Thomas, who caught nine passes for 104 yards. “I could see look in his eyes. He was rey for moment.”

With 41-year-old Brees sidelined at least three games with multiple rib fractures, Saints coach Sean Payton gave Hill d over offseason free-nt acquisition Jameis Winston.

decision meant a lot to Hill, who persevered through an injury-plagued college career at BYU before starting his NFL career as a 27-year-old undrafted rookie in 2017. And because Hill initially flourished in an unconventional utility role, with duties ranging from change-of-pace option QB to tight end and special teams, he played in 46 previous NFL games before finally getting his first start under center.

“I spent a lot of time reflecting this week. My wife and I h so many conversations about were we’ve been, process of getting here," Hill said. "If I’m being honest, it was an emotional week.”

Hill looked comfortable running scheme Payton designed for him. He completed 18 of 23 passes without an interception and used his all-around athleticism to run intermittently on scrambles or designed re-option plays, finishing with a team-high 51 yards rushing. biggest blemish in his performance was an inconsequential, fourth-quarter fumble after a 20-yard run to Atlanta 22.

Still, he h a better day than Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan, who was sacked eight times and finished 19-of-37 passing for 232 yards, touchdowns and two interceptions to defensive backs Marcus Williams and Jaris Jenkins. Cameron Jordan sacked Ryan three times, while Trey Hendrickson and David Onyemata each h two sacks.

“You’ve got to give Saints credit. y did a great job on defense,” Falcons interim coach Raheem Morris said. “ defensive backs, y did a nice job of limiting us on what we were able to do. y h a nice game plan for us. y did a nice job of keeping Matt under control and y did a nice job keeping our receivers under control.”

Hill entered having thrown just five passes with four completions for 86 yards this season and was 10 of 18 for 205 yards in his career, leaving him relatively unproven as a passer.

t anymore. While his all-around athleticism would have me scrambling a tempting default choice, he regularly showed patience and poise while delivering accurate passes moments before impact from onrushing defenders.

“I always kw that I have ability, if things break down, that I can make a play,” Hill said. “But my mindset was: let's keep your eyes down field and let's find opportunities” for receivers.

Hill was among last to leave field after game, raising one hand to ackwledge cheers of pandemic-limited crowd of about 6,000.

All that was missing was a first-career scoring pass — partly because of how effectively Saints ran ball. Alvin Kamara scored New Orleans' first TD on a 3-yard run, Hill scored second on a keeper on fourth down from Atlanta 2, and Hill's second TD came on a 10-yard scramble.

Kamara, Hill and Latavius Murray powered a ground game that netted 168 yards, which helped Saints (8-2) sustain drives that consumed a total of 33:41.

New Orleans' second-ranked run defense held Atlanta to 52 yards rushing, and Saints defense did t allow a touchdown for second time in three games — with only one touchdown given up in between.

Falcons (3-7) struck first with a field goal set up by Ryan's 46-yard completion to Calvin Ridley and led 9-3 on three Younghoe Koo kicks before Saints responded with 21 straight points.

MAKING HISTORY

Kamara became first player in NFL history with at least 500 yards rushing and receiving in each of his first four NFL seasons.

Thomas recorded his 482nd career catch during first half, giving him ownership of record for most catches in an NFL player's first five seasons. He finished game with 489.

INURIES

Falcons: Linebacker Mykal Walker limped off in second quarter favoring his left hamstring. Linebacker Foyese Oluokun was treated on field and walked to sidelined in fourth quarter. Receiver Julio Jones saw limited action because of hamstring tightness and me two catches for 39 yards.

Saints: Left guard Andrus Peat left with a concussion and Deonte Harris left with a stinger, both in first half.

UP NEXT

Falcons: Host Oakland on Sunday.

Saints: Visit Denver on Sunday.

(Im Credit: AP)