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Thomas Carries Saints By Falcons

The Associated Press

Published: December 8, 2008

NEW ORLEANS - Falcons linebacker Curtis Lofton pounded his fist into the Louisiana Superdome turf after Pierre Thomas bowled over him for a first down.

The game-sealing carry provided the perfect punctuation for the Saints' undrafted, second-year running back following the most important performance of his young career.

Thomas rushed for 102 yards and scored two touchdowns, helping New Orleans keep alive slim playoff hopes with a 29-25 victory vs. division rival Atlanta on Sunday.

"He's a great young talent. He comes up big for us when need be," Saints fullback Mike Karney said. "He had to earn his way and get a feel for what's going on. He's done that and the coaches are going to him."

Thomas scored his first touchdown on a 7-yard screen early in the fourth quarter. He powered in for the winning touchdown on a 5-yard toss sweep, bouncing over offensive lineman Carl Nicks as he stretched for the goal line. Thomas also set up that last score with an 88-yard kickoff return after Matt Ryan's 12-yard scramble had given the Falcons (8-5) a 25-22 lead with 7:51 to go.

New Orleans needed a clutch carry from Karney on that drive as well. Saints coach Sean Payton decided against trying a tying field goal on fourth-and-1 from the 7. The 5-foot-11, 255-pound Karney pushed the line of scrimmage for 2 yards.

Reggie Bush added 80 yards rushing, including a career-long 43-yard run that set up his 5-yard touchdown catch.

Drew Brees was 18 of 32 for 230 yards and two TDs in one of the most balanced performances this season by New Orleans' normally pass-heavy offense. The Saints (7-6) finished with a season-high 184 yards rushing.

The Saints rushed 18 times for only 44 yards in a 23-20 loss at Tampa Bay a week earlier. Ryan was 24-for-33 for 315 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Roddy White caught 10 passes for a career-high 164 yards.

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