The New Orleans Saints came into Mersedes-Benz Stadium to take on their archrivals, the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. Unfortunately, the “Dirty birds” came away with the W.
First Quarter
At first, all was going well for New Orleans, with Atlanta being forced to punt on their opening drive. However, All-Pro returner Rashid Shaheed made a critical error. In an effort to try to field the punt, he muffed it, casing the Falcons to have a scoop and score.
Going out to score on the following drive, Taysom Hill and the offense would sooth dome, Chris Olave and Derek Carr were able to connect on some passes, and RB Alvin Kamara had some chunk plays. Though the drive would heavily feature Taysom Hill, who was lining up at multiple positions throughout. From the QB spot, Hill would run it in for six to cap the drive off.
The defense for the Saints would also hold strong, intercepting Kirk Cousins on his next drive. Taking advantage of a slipping wide receiver, cornerback Paulson Adebo would be the one to snag it.
On the ensuing drive, New Orleans would earn another touchdown. Bleeding into the second quarter, this drive featured a cast of characters. Wide receivers Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Mason Tipton would each catch at least one pass. Alvin Kamara was once again the featured back, but Jamaal Williams also got a carry. Taysom Hill would once again end the drive with a rushing touchdown.
Second Quarter
In the second quarter, the Saints defense started to bend a little bit. New Orleans would really be wishing that Demario Davis was able to play, because on this drive is when Atlanta was able to attack the middle of the field. They wouldn’t allow a touchdown, allowing a 53-yard field goal attempt instead. Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo would send it through the uprights.
However, the Saints luck would take a turn for the worse. On the next offensive possession, Derek Carr attempted to side-arm a throw by Matthew Judon. It wasn’t successful, but not only that it was tipped and returned for six. By shooting themselves in the foot, the Saints would lose the lead.
The next drive wouldn’t be that much better, although they were able to avoid giving the Falcons free points. Alvin Kamara would run it for a 15-yard gain on the first play, but then the offense would fizzle out. Punter Matthew Hayball would make his first appearance of the game.
The Saints defense would hold strong, after giving up their first points of the game. Even with Paulson Adebo being targeted a bunch, they would force the Falcons to punt after six plays.
New Orleans would start out their next drive much better but would still end with a Matthew Hayball appearance. They had two first downs – thanks to Alvin Kamara – but would be unable to nab a third one, punting after seven plays.
With there being 30 seconds left in the half, Atlanta would only have to run the ball once before the half ended.
Third Quarter
The Saints would be receiving the ball at the start of the second half. After a run for no gain, Derek Carr would pass it to Kamara for an 11-yard gain.
However, the Saints would trip over their own two feet once again.
Left tackle Tailese Fuaga would have a false start, sending the offense back five yards. Then, a 28-yard gain would be taken back after a Trevor Penning holding penalty. At this point its 1st and 25, and New Orleans would not be able to salvage the drive after that.
Atlanta would come running out of the gate on their first offensive possession. After an incomplete pass on first down, Kirk Cousins would throw it to Darnell Mooney for a 36-yard gain. Also on that play was a pass interference penalty on Paulson Adebo, which was declined. Allowing only one more first down, the Saints would once again hold the Falcons to three.
The next drive for Derek Carr and the offense would also end with three points. They would have a few short plays, then one 25-yard catch/run from Rashid Shaheed, and then some plays that went for negative yards. Kicker Blake Grupe would make it thought the uprights from 43 yards out, pulling the Saints to within a score.
Closing out the third quarter, Atlanta would gain 22 yards through two plays.
Fourth Quarter
Thanks to Cousins and Ray-Ray McCloud, the Falcons would have a fresh set of downs at the start of the fourth. Atlanta nearly scored within five plays too, but they had a touchdown taken back due to a holding penalty. Just two plays later, DE Payton Turner had a strip sack (recovered by ATL).
Then, on a 16-yard completion to Darnell Mooney that featured another Adebo PI, Atlanta was suddenly in field goal range. Koo would send it in for another three points. 17-23 Falcons.
New Orleans would then march 63 yards in 12 plays, before turning it over on downs. Coming in clutch, the Saints defense would force a three-and-out on their next drive.
The Saints would finally be able to give a proper response back. On a drive that drained most of the clock, Alvin Kamara would run it in for a score.
Then, Paulson Adebo would have a third pass interference penalty called on him, this time for 30 yards. Atlanta would accept the penalty this time, as the intended receiver (Mooney) had no chance at the ball.
The damage was done. Even though the defense didn’t allow another positive gain, kicker Younghoe Koo set a new career long on the game winning field goal.
The Saints will be playing in prime-time next week, in a Monday night matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
