Top 20 games of 2011; Saints voted #1, #5, #13 and #17 (updated)

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Controversial Call: Tight end Jimmy Graham just barely missed a touchdown late in the third when he couldn’t get one of his feet down, or at least the way the official saw it. Needing a touchdown in a 6-3 game, Saints head coach Sean Payton challenged the call. He lost. Upon seeing the replay, it turns out Graham got all but one spike down. One. Spike. Unreal.

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(Boneheaded) Play of the game: Mike Smith’s fourth-down call would have never occurred if Saints safety Roman Harper didn’t drop a sure interception late.
Trailing 23-20 late in the fourth quarter, Matt Ryan led the Falcons into field goal range, connecting three times with Harry Douglas for 63 yards. But before kicking the game-tying field goal, the Falcons tried to get the go-ahead touchdown on second down. Attempting to hit Tony Gonzalez down the seam, the ball sailed on Ryan ... right into Harper’s hands. That would’ve been ballgame, had Harper hung on.

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Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees absolutely tore it up on this night, a night filled with constant scoring and long, inspired marches right down the field. The Packers and Saints combined for 11 drives of 40-plus yards, with eight -- EIGHT! -- travelling at least 70. What makes the last number even more impressive is that doesn’t even include each team’s return touchdown. Thank you, Darren Sproles and Randall Cobb

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Why this game is No. 1: This was the game everyone remembers most. Of the 50 or so people I talked to about games from last season, this was the contest that always came up. Much like our No. 1 game of 2010, this one was easily discernible from the rest.

Saints-Niners pitted the league’s most effective offense against its most disruptive defense. While one of Bountygate’s main storylines has become New Orleans’ defensive preparation for San Francisco’s offense, there were no ill effects to be found during the flow of the game.

Smith played the game of his life, while Brees showed why he is a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Throw in the last couple minutes, complete with three spectacular touchdowns and a crowd going certifiably nutso, and it’s impossible to not rank this No. 1.

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