NEW ORLEANS — Falcons linebacker Curtis Lofton pounded his fist into the Louisiana Superdome turf after Pierre Thomas bowled him over 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 over 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.
Thomas scored his first touchdown on a 7-yard screen pass 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 a 25-22 lead with 7:51 to go.
Ryan connected 10 times with Roddy White, who finished with a career-high 164 yards receiving, including a 59-yard catch in the second quarter that set up Michael Turner’s 5-yard touchdown run.
