Chris Ivory’s electrifying 56-yard touchdown run against the Atlanta Falcons back in 2012 is still absolute gold, easily earning its spot as the Saints’ “Play of the Day” as we kick off the countdown to the 2026 season opener. Seriously, this play? It was pure magic and a total game-changer.
The Saints Play That Broke Atlanta’s Heart
Seriously, rewind to 2012: Ivory took off like a shot, absolutely stunning the Atlanta Falcons and ripping the heart out of their lead. The Saints were down by double-digits, staring at a loss, and then BAM, this 56-yard dash just sparks a crazy rally you wouldn’t believe. After that explosion, the fireworks kept coming! All-time great tight ends Jimmy Graham and Tony Gonzales traded touchdown catches, going back and forth, putting on a show. Then Drew Brees linked up with Marques Colston for another score, grabbing that lead for good. What a sequence!
A Much-Needed Spark in a Tough Season
This run was a massive highlight in a season that desperately needed it, no joke. The 2012 Saints were battling it out, seriously struggling. They were dealing with Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, which was having a historically bad year, plus Sean Payton was out for a whole year with his suspension. Talk about uphill battles! But on this day, against their biggest rival, that defense somehow found its footing when it absolutely mattered most. They stopped the Falcons cold, not once but twice on fourth down, to lock it up tight. The Saints snatched that win, 31-27, giving them a real fighting chance for the back half of their schedule. That’s grit, right there!
Ivory’s Impact, Even If It Was Brief
Now, Ivory’s run in New Orleans was brief, playing just 24 games over three years. He moved on to the New York Jets, where he balled out for 46 games in the next three seasons, then spent two more years with the Jacksonville Jaguars, before finally wrapping up his career with the Buffalo Bills in 2018. But man, even with a brief stint in the Crescent City, he left us with some incredible, unforgettable memories. That 56-yard stunner against the Falcons? Absolute pure magic that still gives you chills!
As the Saints gear up for their 2026 season, looking back at plays like Ivory’s 56-yard masterpiece reminds everyone what true grit and sheer will looks like on the field. You gotta love looking back at those defining moments that make a season memorable, even a tough one. What other classic plays are gonna pop up next in this epic countdown? We’re pumped to see what other incredible memories they dig up!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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