Atlanta Falcons: Five things we learned in loss to Saints

2) Mistakes prove costly

Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (59) forces a fumble by Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (26) during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

For the second consecutive week, the Atlanta Falcons turned the ball over several times. This time it cost them the game. The Falcons fumbled the ball twice while in the redzone and lost a total of three fumbles on the night. The Falcons also had a blocked punt that resulted in a touchdown as well.

If you tack on two touchdowns for the Falcons and remove the punt block, the game is just about deadlocked. If the Falcons want to make a push for the playoffs, they will have to take care of the ball. The team is fumbling the ball at an extremely high rate.

The Falcons’ defense also made a bonehead play that resulted in a Saints touchdown in the second half. On fourth-and-goal from the 3-yard line, Drew Brees managed to draw the Falcons off-sides which resulted in an automatic first down. The Saints scored a touchdown as a result of it.

The Saints didn’t beat the Falcons tonight, the Falcons beat themselves.