2012 NFL Playoffs: New Orleans Saints’ season ends in dramatic fashion
The New Orleans Saints were defeated by the San Francisco 49ers yesterday by the score of 36-32. The game was one of the most exciting games I have seen in a while and it was everything I expected. The Saints’ offense put a lot of points on the board and the 49ers’ defense was suffocating. Something I did not expect from this game was for the 49ers’ offense to play as well as they did; Alex Smith threw for 299 yards and 3 touchdowns, and Vernon Davis absolutely burned the Saints with 180 reception yards and 2 touchdowns.
It was the 49ers’ balanced attack that was the difference maker in the game; their defense was dominant while their offense was able to match Drew Brees and the Saints. However, it did not hurt that the Saints’ committed 5 turnovers in the game; not to take anything away from the 49ers, as they scored 13 points off of those turnovers. Despite the 5 turnovers the Saints had a chance throughout the game as their offense came to form in the second half putting up 18 points in the fourth quarter. The Saints grabbed the lead with 1:37 to go as Brees threw a 66 yard touchdown pass to Jimmy Graham and then converted on the 2 point conversion to make it 32-29 Saints.
However, it was the 49ers final drive that would put the nail in the coffin to the Saints’ season. Alex Smith and Vernon Davis connected on a 47 yard gain and soon after connected again for the game winning touchdown. Both teams played a great game and had football fans everywhere on the edge of their seats, but the 49ers got the best of the Saints in this divisional playoff game. The Saints were able to overcome costly turnovers and keep the game close, but it was their defense that came up short as they were not able to stop the 49ers’ offense down the stretch. The game ended in a dramatic finish as the Smith to Davis touchdown was eerily similar to “The Catch” that occurred in the 1982 NFC championship as the 49ers defeated the Dallas Cowboys.
The New Orleans Saints will return home as their record-breaking season comes to an abrupt halt. Saints’ fans should have plenty to be proud of as the Saints had their best season since their last Super Bowl appearance. All the records the Saints broke this season should serve as a nice consolation prize; the Saints had a great season and played a great game. If the Saints can take anything from this loss it is that they can come back next season with a chip on their shoulder and rout the 49ers as the teams are set to play next season. Furthermore, the Saints have proven that they are an elite team and should come back strong next season.
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