Saints vs. Falcons review: Koo wins it at the death for Atlanta

Atlanta Falcons’ Kicker Younghoe Koo slotted a career-best 58 yard field goal down the middle of the posts as he helped them snatch victory from the New Orleans Saints to give them a 26-24 victory on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Falcons new summer addition Kirk Cousins recorded 238 yards in the game and played a key role in the drive that led to Koo winning the kick, but had no touchdowns and an interception. This is a game where the Special team and defence were scoring the points and making this the first since September 26, 2004, that Atlanta won a game without scoring an offensive touchdown. 

While for the Saints, they scored on their first two drives however it was their own mistakes that cost them the game and perhaps a chance to go 3-1 on the season.

Here are the key takeaways from a thrilling game!

Koo’s Clutch Performance

Koo has been a solid player since coming into the Falcons, and today he had a career day as he kicked his longest FG. Even before that, he was contributing with FG as the offence struggled and the kicking unit was required to get points on the board. 

He is currently one of the NFL’s most reliable kickers since arriving in the ATL, 156/173 which is 90.2% (that is even better than Baltimore Ravens’ Justin Tucker), 24/32 from 50+, but 142/149 in XP. This FG marks his eighth game-winning goal since the 2021 season and it’s the longest in the Mercedes-Benzs Stadium since it opened.

It’s not a shock when he’s given a chance that he will convert and postgame he talked about after seeing the pass interference flag, he knew he would have a chance to win the game

“I’ve made that in practice,” he said. “Once we got to the 40, I knew I had a chance.”

His 14 points (four field goals and two extra points) were crucial in securing the victory, demonstrating his importance to the team’s success.

Special Teams and Defence shine bright!

It wasn’t just Koo who stepped up today, Troy Andersen had a standout performance in the game, showcasing his playmaking abilities on both defence and special teams. The linebacker recorded a career-high 17 tackles and scored his first NFL touchdown on a 47-yard interception return, which was a highlight of the game.

His pick-six, made possible by a crucial assist from major trade acquisition Matthew Judon, was one of two non-offensive touchdowns for the Falcons, marking the first time since 2014 that Atlanta achieved both a defensive and special teams touchdown in the same game.

Andersen’s impact went beyond just the interception. He was all over the field, making key tackles that compensated for some lacklustre play from the rest of the defence. He met Alvin Kamara head-on in the hole, stopping the Saints’ running back on multiple occasions, and his speed and athleticism were on full display as he tracked down runners across the field. His nine solo tackles and six assists were pivotal in keeping the Falcons’ defence afloat during a challenging matchup.

However, Andersen’s day ended on a sour note as he had to be helped off the field in the fourth quarter after a punt coverage play. This injury leaves the Falcons thin at inside linebacker, with only Kaden Elliss and JD Bertrand remaining on the active roster. Andersen has faced criticism since Nate Landman’s injury, but his performance today silenced many doubters and demonstrated why the team has stuck by their second-round pick. This game was a glimpse of Andersen’s potential at its peak, and the Falcons can only hope his injury isn’t too serious as they continue the season.

Also, the team’s collective effort in pressure Saints’ QB Derrick Carr was key as they were able to force him into making crucial mistakes

Falcons’ Interior Defense Shows Concerning Vulnerabilities

Early on, the Saints’ offence took advantage of the Falcons’ defensive struggles, establishing a strong running game through a balanced attack. This was evident in two early scoring drives: a nine-play, 70-yard drive and an 11-play, 53-yard drive.

Taysom Hill and Alvin Kamara found ample success against Atlanta’s front, with Hill scoring twice before an injury sidelined him. The Falcons’ lack of discipline and cohesion along the interior defensive line allowed the Saints to move the ball efficiently, particularly in the first half.

Atlanta’s defence struggled with inconsistent tackling and maintaining proper lane integrity, allowing New Orleans to exploit gaps in the line. In the first half, the Saints averaged 5.5 yards per carry, further underscoring the Falcons’ vulnerability against the run. Red zone defence was another area of concern, as New Orleans converted three of their four red zone possessions into scores. This highlighted the Falcons’ inability to stop short-yardage plays, a critical issue when trying to prevent opponents from scoring in key moments.

The Falcons relied heavily on big plays to stay in the game, including a pick-six by Troy Andersen and a special teams touchdown by KhaDarel Hodge. While these plays were essential to securing the victory, they also exposed an over-reliance on turnovers rather than consistent defensive execution. Additionally, Atlanta struggled to apply consistent pressure on quarterback Derek Carr, who managed to complete several passes under pressure despite the Falcons’ defensive efforts.

Taysom Hill’s Crucial Role and the Saints’ Offensive Struggles Without Him

Taysom Hill has proven himself to be an invaluable part of the New Orleans Saints’ offence, serving as a versatile playmaker who can shift the momentum of a game. In the recent matchups, Hill scored two touchdowns early in the game against the Falcons, demonstrating his efficiency in short-yardage situations and his unique ability to confuse opposing defences.

Hill’s presence keeps defences guessing, and his absence after an injury in the third drive was keenly felt. The Saints were unable to find the end zone again until the fourth quarter, underscoring how integral Hill is to their offensive rhythm.

In his career, Hill has consistently been a thorn in the side of the Falcons, scoring a total of 11 touchdowns against them since 2017—more than any other opponent. Despite playing only half of the recent game, he still accounted for two rushing touchdowns, further proving his dominance against Atlanta.

The Saints, however, are now facing a new challenge as Hill deals with another injury, one separate from the one that previously kept him out of the lineup. The team’s offensive output has noticeably dipped without him on the field, both in recent games and last week when he wasn’t in the lineup. With a patchwork offensive line and key players missing, the Saints must find a way to replicate their offensive prowess from earlier in the season if they hope to maintain consistency moving forward.

Hill’s absence leaves a significant void, and the Saints will need to adjust to life without their “Swiss army knife” to stay competitive, especially as they face more challenging opponents.

Kamara gutsy game

While Taysom Hill has gotten all the attention, rightfully so due to his impactful performance and injury. It’s also important to point out one of his teammates, Alvin Kamara.

Coming into the game, the Saints were dealing with countless amounts of injuries as running back Kamara was one of them. He came into the game with a hip/rib injury, and performed well as he continued his good start to the season.

He was hit in the ribs numerous times during the game. Kamara scored the game-winning touchdown, made a crucial blitz pickup towards the end of the game, ran for 77 yards, and caught seven receptions for 42 yards.

Kamara’s ability to gain yards after contact was evident throughout the game. His vision and agility allowed him to navigate through defensive traffic effectively, helping sustain drives and keep the Saints competitive. His contributions were especially important given that other offensive weapons were hampered by injuries.

In addition to his rushing and receiving contributions, Kamara played a vital role in pass protection. He executed key blitz pickups that helped protect quarterback Derek Carr during crucial drives. This versatility is essential for any running back, particularly in high-pressure situations where maintaining offensive momentum is critical.

Saints’ Self-Inflicted Wounds Lead to Crushing Loss

In a game where the New Orleans Saints managed to lose despite holding the Atlanta Falcons offence out of the end zone, their own mistakes proved to be the biggest hurdle. The trouble began early when Rashid Shaheed mishandled a punt inside his own 5-yard line, a ball he should have let bounce.

The muffed punt was recovered by Atlanta in the end zone for a touchdown, putting the Saints in a hole before their offence even touched the ball. As the game progressed, the mistakes piled up, with quarterback Derek Carr throwing a deflected pass that was intercepted and returned for another Falcons touchdown. These two miscues accounted for Atlanta’s only touchdowns of the day.

Despite the blunders, the Saints fought back, and Alvin Kamara gave them a one-point lead with about a minute left. However, a crucial pass interference call against Paulson Adebo on the Falcons’ final drive setup Younghoe Koo’s 58-yard game-winning field goal. The Saints’ frustrating missteps, including Shaheed’s punt error and Carr’s pick-six, overshadowed their defensive effort.

The loss marked the Saints’ second straight after starting the season with two convincing victories. Their early-season momentum has now faded, and the team has fallen into a two-game losing streak that could easily have been avoided with cleaner execution. With the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes next on the schedule, the Saints face an uphill battle if they hope to rebound from this disappointing stretch.

What’s next?

This victory was crucial for the Falcons, as divisional games carry significant weight in the standings. By securing a win against their NFC South rivals, Atlanta has gained an early advantage in the race for playoff positioning.

For the Saints, this narrow loss at home will be a bitter pill to swallow. However, the competitive nature of the game suggests that New Orleans remains a formidable opponent in the division.

Both teams now have a 2-2 record after this game. The Saints will travel to Arrowhead to face a tough challenge against the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs (4-0) for a Monday Night matchup, while the Falcons have a short week to prepare for an important divisional game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who are 3-1 after a thumping win against the Philadelphia Eagles.