Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman Carry Falcons Past Saints, 45-32

Devonta Freeman rushed for 152 yards and caught five passes for 55 yards, Tevin Coleman rushed for three touchdowns, Matt Ryan passed for two TDs and Deion Jones returned an interception 90 yards for a score to lead the Atlanta Falcons to a 45-32 victory over the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Monday night.

Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman Carry Falcons Past Saints, 45-32

The game marked the 10th anniversary of the Saints’ return to New Orleans (Sept. 25, 2006), 13 months after the devastating damaged caused by Hurricane Katrina. The Saints defeated the Falcons 23-3 that year.

In addition to recognizing how far New Orleans has come since that 2005 disaster, players on both teams engaged in a pre-game display of unity in response to the oppression of minorities across America. Following the singing of the national anthem, both Saints and Falcons players locked arms in a circle at midfield and observed a moment of silence.

“Violence and what is happening in our country is a serious issue,” Saints quarterback Drew Brees said after the game. “We felt like an appropriate way to show our unity and bring attention to that was by making that circle together. Locked arms, taking a moment of silence to pray, to be in thought, meditation, whatever you want to do to show that this is a way we would like to give it attention after the national anthem to show that we’re all in this together.”

Ryan said he reached out to Brees to say he and the Falcons were on board with joining the Saints in their demonstration of unity after hearing of the team’s plans.

Jones, a New Orleans native, showed his respect for his team’s return to the city with his footwear. The symbols on his cleats reflect how search and rescue teams marked area houses following the disaster in 2005.

“It was real fun. Everybody was doing their job and everybody was playing for each other,” Coleman said. “Everything clicked, and we got it done. It’s a real big win for us to beat this team here.”

Coleman was also productive in the passing game out of the backfield, with three receptions for 47 yards to go with his 42 yards rushing.

Ryan finished with 240 yards passing for the Falcons, (2-1) who did not turn the ball over and jumped to first place in the NFC South.

Brees delivered yet another strong performance, 376 yards and three TDs passing — and hit tight end Coby Fleener seven times for 109 yards and a TD.

Nevertheless, Brees’ tipped pass that resulted in Jones’ TD return early in the fourth quarter gave Atlanta a 45-25 lead that proved too much for the Saints to overcome.

The loss dropped the Saints (0-3) to last place.

“We have to stop the run better,” Saints coach Sean Payton said. “They were over 200 yards in situations where you knew the run was coming, even at the end of the game.”

The Falcons will next host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, while the Saints will visit the San Diego Chargers, also on Sunday.

NEW ORLEANS, LA – SEPTEMBER 26: Devonta Freeman #24 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after scoring a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on September 26, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)