The Atlanta Falcons managed to fend off the New Orleans Saints at home with a last-second kick from Younghoe Koo to win 26-24.
For the Falcons, it was a game marred by an early interception and failure to get things going on offense. The defense and special teams stepped up to keep them in it and sent the Saints home with their second loss in a row despite continued offensive struggles.
The Falcons’ offense made it into the red zone just once throughout the game, with no touchdowns from the offense.
One touchdown came after Saints wide receiver and punt returner Rashid Shaheed muffed a punt into the Saints’ end zone, recovered by KhaDarel Hodge for a Falcons’ touchdown.
After a couple of quick Saints’ touchdowns following a Kirk Cousins interception, Matthew Judon batted a pass up and Troy Andersen picked it off, returning it 47 yards for a pick-six and another Falcons non-offensive touchdown.
Alvin Kamararan it in for the Saints’ last touchdown to give them a one-point lead with exactly one minute left on the clock. The eventual game-winning drive for the Falcons started slowly with a 5-yard pass in the middle of the field followed by a false start penalty with 29 seconds erased from the clock and only five yards gained.
Hope came when Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo was called for pass interference on a deep pass to Darnell Mooney, which shifted the Falcons all the way downfield to the Saints’ 40-yard line.
With three quick incompletions later, Koo lined up for the longest field goal of his career at 58 yards and nailed it.
The Saints tried to return the kickoff as time expired but couldn’t find the end zone.
Time of possession was still an issue, as Atlanta averaged 24:31 per game with the ball in their hands, the was thesecond-worst in the NFL this year.
On a positive note, Tyler Allgeier put up good numbers on some tough runs with eight carries for 60 yards. Although Bijan Robinson had seven carries for just 28 yards, he had four receptions for 46 yards as well.
Drake London led the receivers with six receptions for 64 yards on 12 targets. Mooney was close behind with three catches for 56 yards on six targets.
As long as the defense and special teams continue to play this well, the offense will have a chance to get them the win; they just have to capitalize on it.
The Falcons hosted the Buccaneers in this week’s Thursday night slot on Oct 3.
