It was gross. It was physical. It was intense. This game between the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints was a perfect encapsulation of one of the NFL’s most passionate rivalries. So, the fact that it ended with not a single passing touchdown and still somehow found its way to 50 points is not a surprise.
After a 30-yard penalty to put them in range, Younghoe Koo absolutely drills a career-long 58-yard field goal to put the Falcons up for good 26-24.
This is the first time the Falcons had won a game without scoring an offensive touchdown in over 20 years, the last time being against a Dennis Green-led Arizona Cardinals team on September 26th, 2004.
Is it how you want to win? No
But in the NFL, a win is a win and you take them however you can.
Special Teams, Special Plays, Special Players
The NFC Special Teams Player of the Week trophy seems all but wrapped up after the day that Koo and this Falcons special teams had to play. Koo’s career long made him four-of-four on the day with field goals of 42, 44, 53 and finally 58.
YOUNGHOE KOO FROM 58 YARDS FOR THE LEAD WITH TWO SECONDS LEFT! pic.twitter.com/8b2A4SlWKm
— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024
To add on to that, Atlanta started the game with a gifted touchdown after a monstrous punt from Bradley Pinion was muffed by Saints punt returner Rashid Shaheed.
Defense Can Only Bend So Far
The vaunted bend-but-don’t-break approach that Jimmy Lake and Raheem Morris have implemented almost caught up to them today, through no fault of their own. The Falcons were on the field for 35 minutes of game time. In that 35 minutes, the Saints offensive line, missing both center Erik McCoy and iOL Cesar Ruiz, really took the fight to the Falcons defensive line early.
It felt that once Taysom Hill was injured, the rushing attack died down a bit, but then they decided to go to the air. Carr ended the day 28-for-36 with eight receptions a piece going to Shaheed and Chris Olave for 83 and 87 yards, respectively.
While the Falcons defense had a couple of great stops, including a crucial 4th-down stop the drive before, this defense can only bend but so far before they need help from the other side of the football.
Sloppy Outing for Falcons Offense
Despite a solid day from the offensive line, missing both Kaleb McGary and Drew Dalman, the Falcons offense just seemed out of sorts.
The play-calling at times from offensive coordinator Zac Robinson was questionable at best, Kirk Cousins is looking better, but still doesn’t look completely comfortable and there doesn’t seem to be any continuity for the offense.
It seems that Tyler Allgeier gave the offense a bit of a spark in the third quarter, but it looks like the Falcons can deploy a two-back system that could be potentially lethal between Tyler and Bijan Robinson.
Notable Stats
- Troy Andersen had his best day with 17 total tackles, including 10 solo tackles and one tackle for loss and one pass deflection. Oh yeah, and a pick-six.
- Cousins was fine, 21-for-35 for 238 yards and an interception. His favorite target today was still Drake London, who hauled in six of his 12 targets for 64 yards.
- Kyle Pitts saw three targets all hit the turf for zero yards. It may be time to have a larger discussion about him…
- Allgeier definitely was the “hot hand” as coach Morris put it, running for 60 yards on eight carries and adding 20 more yards on two receptions in the air.
- Robinson was more of a threat through the air, hauling in four receptions for 46 yards. One of his receptions, that ended up in a touchdown, was called back due to a questionable holding call by Jake Matthews.
What’s Next?
The Falcons don’t have much time to celebrate as they’re back on the field this Thursday, October 3rd against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the NFC South divisional lead on Amazon Prime at 8:15 p.m.
