Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
WATCH: Falcons RB Cordarrelle Patterson Scores Atlanta's First TD of Season
The Atlanta Falcons have put up their first touchdown of the season, and in fitting fashion.
Running back Cordarrelle Patterson has picked up where he left off last year and turned in a dominant third drive for Atlanta's offense. Patterson received eight carries for 58 yards on the Falcons' nine-play, 66-yard scoring drive, and capped it off with a five-yard run up the middle and into the endzone to five Atlanta a 10-7 lead over the New Orleans Saints.
Patterson's run finished with a big hit on Saints linebacker Pete Werner, who had to receive medical attention on the sideline after the play for a cut suffered from the collision.
For the game, Patterson has nine carries for 59 yards and has been targeted twice by Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota through the air. Prior to fellow running back Damien Williams' injury, Patterson had been moved around Atlanta's offense, but now appears poised to geta heavy workload in the backfield.
Patterson, 31, had a breakout season last year, becoming the first player in Falcons history to record both 500 rushing and receiving yards, posting career highs in rushing (618) and receiving (548) yards.
Most of his success came in the first half of the season, before an ankle injury hindered him down the stretch; Patterson posted fewer than 30 rushing yards and two receptions in each of his final four appearances. As a result, he entered the season looking to show the first half - rather than the second - was the more indicative performance.
With drives like the one he put together on Atlanta's first touchdown-scoring possession of the year, he's well on his way to proving exactly that.
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Falcons? Click Here.
Follow Falcon Report on Twitter.
