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In a much-anticipated NFL South match-up, the Atlanta Falcons faced off against the New Orleans Saints.
It meant two former Purdue Boilermakers, the all-time passing touchdown leader for Purdue Drew Brees, and the all-time leader in interceptions returned for a touchdown Ricardo Allen.
The game lived up to its billing with the New Orleans Saints pulling off a 43-37 victory in overtime after a fourth quarter that featured two from behind touchdowns for both teams.
For Drew Brees, the game was a complete success and a day of milestones. While he threw for three touchdowns, and ran for two more - the game ending QB sneak was overshadowed by a scrambling td run that featured the former Boiler putting a spin move on two Falcons defenders that left them running past him as he scampered into the end zone - it was a simple 17 yard completion to Michael Thomas in the second quarter that will add one more incredible mark to his legacy.
It was Drew Brees’ 6,301st completion in his career, an NFL record for most completions.
For Ricardo Allen, there was nothing to be celebrated as he laid on the field in the second half unable to put any weight on his left foot. He would be carted off the field and news was released that he wouldn’t be going back onto the field for the rest of the season after suffering a torn Achilles.
This injury comes during the first season of the safety’s new contract with the Atlanta Falcons, a 3-year deal worth $19.5 million dollars, ten of which is guaranteed.
The Achilles injury is a notoriously difficult injury to come back from, but Allen has proven himself from day, becoming a starter for the Falcons his rookie year and being a mainstay there since.