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ATLANTA -- Matt Ryan has turned in plenty of impressive performances for the Atlanta Falcons. This was probably his best one yet. Throwing for a franchise-record 448 yards and showing some rarely used mobility to keep plays going, Ryan led the Falcons to a 37-34 overtime victory over the New Orleans Saints in another thriller between the NFC South rivals Sunday. Matt Bryant kicked a tying 51-yard field goal on the final play of regulation and won the season opener with a 52-yarder after the Saints fumbled the ball away on the second play of overtime. But this was mostly about Ryan, who completed 31 of 43 with three touchdowns and eclipsed the team passing record of 431 yards set by Chris Chandler in 2001. Ryan also ran three times for 15 yards and dodged the Saints pressure most of the day, going down only one time after taking a career-high 44 sacks last season. "Hes played a lot of games, made a lot of plays for us," coach Mike Smith said. "But I was really impressed with his ability to extend some plays by moving around in the pocket. And he was very, very accurate. When you have (568 yards) of total offence and 448 through the air, your quarterback is playing well." For good measure, Ryan eclipsed the team record for career TD passes. He is now at 156, breaking the mark of 154 held by Steve Bartkowski. The Falcons beat New Orleans for just the fourth time in their last 17 meetings. This one was particularly sweet for Atlanta coming off a miserable 4-12 season, its first losing campaign since 2007. "Its a good start," Ryan said. "But its a long season." The teams combined for 17 points in the final 2:50 of the fourth. The Saints got the ball first in overtime, but Marques Colston was stripped from behind by William Moore after catching a first-down pass over the middle. Joplu Bartu recovered the fumble at the Saints 38. Moore flexed his muscles from his knees in the middle of the field, while Colston slammed his helmet in disgust when he got back to the sideline, brushing away a teammate who tried to console him. "Youve only got two eyes. You cant see behind you," Moore said of his play on Colston. "Im going to continue to work on that and hopefully I can get some more throughout the season." The game fit right in with a divisional series in which nine of the previous 12 meetings were decided by eight points or less. "Thats a tough game to lose," Saint coach Sean Payton said. "Every once in a while, you get in one of these games where the score goes back and forth. The smallest of details, especially in overtime, magnifies any little mistake." The Falcons (1-0), who twice trailed from 13 points in the first half, went ahead on Jacquizz Rodgers dazzling 17-yard run with 2:50 remaining. The diminutive back cut this way and that for a 31-27 lead. Back came Drew Brees and the Saints (0-1), needing only 90 seconds to go 71 yards. Mark Ingram powered over from the 3 for his second touchdown to make it 34-31 with 1:20 left. That was enough time for Ryan. He completed three passes on the tying drive, the big one a 21-yarder to Devin Hester that set up Bryants tying kick. Hester, who has starred as a return specialist, showed hes still got some skills as a receiver. After not catching even one pass for Chicago last season, the 31-year-old had five receptions for 99 yards. Brees threw for 333 yards, but was picked off in the end zone after the Saints drove to the Atlanta 14 in the third quarter. Colston had five receptions for 110 yards. The Saints scored on all four first-half possessions, working first-round pick Brandin Cooks right into their already dynamic offence. He hauled in a 3-yard pass that pushed New Orleans to a 20-7 lead. Atlanta cut it to 20-10 going into the break, thanks to a brilliant leaping catch by Roddy White for a 39-yard gain on the next-to-last play of the half. Bryant booted a 40-yard field goal that gave the Falcons a bit of momentum. By the end, they were celebrating. NOTES: In his first game replacing retired right end Tony Gonzalez, Atlantas Levine Toilolo had three catches, including a 1-yard touchdown. ... The Falcons lost rookie LT Jake Matthews with a left ankle injury on the next-to-last play of the first half. He watched the second half from the sideline and its not known how long he might be out. ... Cooks finished with seven receptions for 77 yards. . The 10-year deal the league and players agreed to that ended the 2011 lockout gave either side the right to opt out after six years. With the league projecting financial growth, there has been speculation that players will take that option in three years, especially since a new national TV contract will be in place by then. . Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points, Shawn Marion had 22 and the Mavericks beat undermanned Philadelphia 124-112 Friday night, handing the 76ers their 10th straight loss. . "I knew it was gone. I mean, I felt it," the 2012 NL Rookie of the Year said. "I havent felt like that in a while. I havent got extension on a ball in a pretty long time. . The Spanish champions decision not to sign a defender during the January transfer window may have backfired after Valencia took advantage of a lethargic, uninspired effort by its hosts at the Camp Nou, where former Spain coach Luis Aragones -- who previously coached the Catalan side -- was honoured after his death on Saturday. . Sami Vatanen had a goal and an assist and Anaheim used a four-goal first period to extend their winning streak to six games with a 5-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night.On Saturday at 3:23am et, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Gregory Malone was arrested on charges of cocaine possession and driving under the influence. Malone was pulled over by a Tampa police officer when his 2014 Chevrolet Suburban struck a curb. A search revealed 1.3 grams of cocaine in Malones right back pocket. Breathalysers recorded blood alcohol content of .112 and .116. Florida law considers a driver impaired at 0.08 so he was well over the limit. Two seasons removed from a 20 goal season, the 34 year old Malone has struggled this season with 15 points in 57 games. Malones arrest report may be viewed here. The charges laid on Malone are very serious, particularly in the case of cocaine possession. In the state of Florida, if a person is convicted of possessing less than 28 grams of cocaine, he can face up to three years in prison, two years of probation and a $5,000 fine. As well, pursuant to Florida Statute 322.055, any person convicted of possession of cocaine will have their drivers license revoked for two years. Its not unusual to see plea deals in these circumstances, which include no jail time and probation. Common defences to cocaine possession include illegal search and seizure as well as Malone saying the cocaine wasnt his. Based on the facts as reported to date, these would seem to be difficult defences to successfully rely on. The cocaine was found in his pocket on a night when he was allegedly intoxicated and driving erratically. Still, while things dont look terribly promising for Malone, we should not assume guilt. As far as the NHL goes, the Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program kicks in. Collectively bargained between the NHLPA and NHL, the Program is designed to addreess substance abuse among NHL players.dddddddddddd The Program contains a graduated treatment plan which is designed to discourage substance abuse among players and to provide players with time away from the pressures of the game while undergoing treatment. Players that have taken part in the Program include Brian McGrattan and Jordin Tootoo. As a first step under the Program, a player must submit to a mandatory medical and psychological evaluation. Based upon the results of this examination, recommendations are made as to the course of treatment, which may include rehabilitation. According to the Program, a player who is convicted of a criminal offence involving substance abuse will be suspended without pay while undergoing treatment. That player would be eligible for reinstatement only upon the recommendation of doctors. If the player doesnt follow through on treatment, he can be suspended without pay for 6 months while undergoing treatment, and reinstatement once again only happens if doctors recommend it. So where are we on Malone? While there are a number of scenarios that could play out here, its possible that we see Malone cut a plea deal to avoid prison time. He could also be suspended without pay by the NHL and enter a rehabilitation program, which would effectively bring his season to a close. However, in keeping with a more unlikely scenario, should doctors conclude that Malone does not need treatment and the charges are dropped, Malone could find his way back on the Lightning. The circumstances as detailed in the arrest report are certainly discouraging and do not bode well for Malone. Ultimately, at this point, the focus should be on helping a young man get better. ' ' '
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