Gameday: Falcons vs. Saints 2013
The Falcons and Saints battled it out in an NFC South rivalry matchup for Thursday Night Football. Check out these photos from the game.

DE Osi Umenyiora

Saints win the toss and receive

Freddie Falcon getting the crowd fired up.

LB Paul Worrilow

The Falcons enter the field.

CB Desmond Trufant


Ready to rise up.





Team huddle before kickoff.

LB Paul Worrilow

Linebackers ready to roll.

RB Steven Jackson warms up before the game in the Georgia Dome

The Falcons loosen up before facing the Saints

Actor Samuel L Jackson takes a photo with former Falcons running back and Ring of Honor member, Gerald Riggs.

LS Josh Harris

CB Asante Samuel emerges from the tunnel

The Thursday Night Football crew set up inside the Georgia Dome

LB Joplo Bartu breaks through the smoke during introductions

DE Jonathan Massaquoi makes an entrance

The Falcons charge the field before the game

RB Steven Jackson makes a dramatic entrace into the Georgia Dome through the smoke and flames

The Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders

The Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders

The Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders

LB Sean Weatherspoon stays focused before the game

P Matt Bosher keeps his eye on the ball

Head coach Mike Smith talks with Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan before the game

QB Matt Ryan calls out the play.

It's why they call it a rivalry.

RB Steven Jackson

RB Jacquizz Rodgers on the carry.

RB Jason Snelling with big gain in the first half.

RB Jacquizz Rodgers

Many Atlanta Falcons contribute on a first half tackle.

C Joe Hawley communicates with Matt Ryan before the snap.

WR Harry Douglas makes a catch in the first half.

G Justin Blalock makes a key block.



QB Matt Ryan takes a vicious hit in the first half.

DT Corey Peters

RB Steven Jackson celebrates in the first half

CB Desmond Trufant breaks up a pass to Saints TE Jimmy Graham

RB Steven Jackson crashes into the end zone to put the Falcons on the board

RB Steven Jackson picks up six for the Falcons in the first half

WR Darius Johnson reaches across the goal line but was later ruled down before he entered the end zone

RB Steven Jackson crashes into the end zone to put the Falcons on the board

The Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders

The Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders

The Atlanta Falcons Drumline

CB Robert McClain tackles Saints WR Lance Moore

LB Paul Worrilow closes in on Saints RB Mark Ingram

RB Steven Jackson with the touchdown

WR Darius Johnson gets the Falcons inside the five in the first quarter

WR Darius Johnson gets the Falcons inside the five in the first quarter

RB Jacquizz Rodgers

RB Jacquizz Rodgers

The Falcons defense wraps up Saints RB Pierre Thomas

The Falcons defense wraps up Saints RB Pierre Thomas

S William Moore celebrates a big play in the first half

TE Tony Gonzalez makes a catch in the second half

WR Harry Douglas works to shake Saints S Malcolm Jenkins

The Falcons defense battles with the Saints offense

TE Tony Gonzalez looks at Saints ILB Curtis Lofton as he runs down the field

TE Tony Gonzalez moves the ball for the Falcons in the second half

A Falcons fan dressed up for the game at the Georgia Dome

LB Paul Worrilow and LB Joplo Bartu take down Saints RB Khiry Robinson

TE Tony Gonzalez watches Saints S Kenny Vaccaro as he makes a catch

DE Osi Umenyiora sacks Saints QB Drew Brees

TE Tony Gonzalez

WR Harry Douglas picks up yards for the Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders

The Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders

LB Paul Worrilow drops Saints WR Lance Moore

The Falcons O-Line works to protect QB Matt Ryan

RB Antone Smith and CB Robert Alford run down the field

DT Corey Peters keeps his eyes on Saints RB Pierre Thomas

The Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders

S Thomas DeCoud commits to a tackle

CB Asante Samuel helps CB Desmond Trufant break up a play in the end zone

QB Matt Ryan passes the ball to TE Tony Gonzalez

LB Joplo Bartu gets through to Saints QB Drew Brees

The Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders

QB Matt Ryan prepares to pass

QB Matt Ryan keeps his eyes down the field on the carry

QB Matt Ryan releases the ball under pressure

TE Tony Gonzalez

CB Desmond Trufant breaks up a play

CB Desmond Trufant gets pumped in the second half

P Matt Bosher

CB Desmond Trufant and LB Joplo Bartu brace for impact with Saints RB Mark Ingram

CB Robert Alford stops Saints RB Pierre Thomas

DE Osi Umenyiora takes down Saints QB Drew Brees

DE Osi Umenyiora closes in on Saints QB Drew Brees