Even Ditka Has No Answers

No matter how bad things get for the Atlanta Falcons, they can always pick on the New Orleans Saints.

Chris Chandler passed for two touchdowns and ran for another as the Falcons ended a three-game losing streak by routing the even-more-hapless Saints, 35-12, Sunday.

New Orleans has lost its last three games by a combined score of 119-47.

“I’d like to have better answers for you,” a solemn Coach Mike Ditka told reporters. “Maybe we can’t get it done with the people we have. I know they tried. I don’t see anyone quitting.”

Atlanta (3-9) hasn’t lost to the Saints since 1994, winning 10 in a row. Even during some of the Falcons’ most dismal seasons--3-13 in 1996 and this year’s collapse following an NFC championship--they still sweep the season series with New Orleans (2-10).

The Falcons, averaging only 14.1 points a game, posted their highest point total of the season, while New Orleans extended the NFL’s longest active road losing streak to 12 games.

Already playing without running back Ricky Williams, who was sidelined because of a toe injury, the Saints lost quarterback Billy Joe Hobert on their third possession when he suffered bruised ribs.

Backup quarterback Danny Wuerffel didn’t fare much better than his alma mater, Florida, which was routed by Alabama on the same field the previous night.

Wuerffel was sacked five times and picked off twice by Ray Buchanan, who returned the second interception 52 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter.

Buchanan, penalized nine times this season, jokingly presented the officials with a dozen roses before the game. “The way the officials have been treating me is not good,” Buchanan said, grinning. “Whatever I did to them before, I’m sorry.”