Depleted Saints drop heartbreaker in Atlanta, 26-24

 By Ross Jackson

It has become painfully obvious that the New Orleans Saints, at least right now, are not the dominating force they looked to be to open the season. Sunday’s loss to the Falcons was marred by self-inflicted wounds, missed tackles, shoddy run defense and unfortunate penalties. Simply put, the Saints are not playing winning football since their explosive start.

The context of health is worth mentioning in this one. The team was without its top defensive leader in linebacker Demario Davis and lost safety Tyrann Mathieu, linebacker Willie Gay Jr., and tight end Taysom Hill, who was off to a fast start with two early scores. 

Head coach Dennis Allen said that despite the loss, he feels that the Saints are still a good football team. Their ability to battle back late did show some good signs, but having to overcome their own mistakes casts an ugly shadow over an already tough loss for New Orleans.

Without a muffed punt by wide receiver Rashid Shaheed and a pick-6 off of a tipped pass returned by Falcons linebacker Troy Andersen, the Falcons would have scored just 12 points in this game. But New Orleans unfortunately had several miscues that surrendered points directly to an otherwise underwhelming Atlanta performance.

The Saints, for the second week in a row, were able to take a late lead with about a minute left only to be one defensive possession away from sealing a victory. The Saints started off fast in their first two games but now have suffered a pair of very disappointing losses to follow it up. Now, they head to Kansas City to face the Super Bowl champion Chiefs on Monday night. The test does not get easier just yet for New Orleans.

The Stats:

• The Falcons offense contributed no touchdowns in this game. Both trips to the endzone were a product of their special teams and defensive units. The Saints become just the third team in NFL history to lose a game in which it scored 24 points and did not allow an offensive touchdown. The last? The 1983 New Orleans Saints.
• Kamara now has six touchdowns through the first four games of the year, matching his total for all of the 2023 season.
• Cornerback Paulson Adebo was flagged three times for pass interference with two penalties being declined. His final call surrendered 30 yards on a pass and put the Falcons in position to kick their game-winning field goal.
• Wideout Chris Olave brought in 80+ receiving yards for the third-straight game this season.
• Kamara has topped 100 yards from scrimmage in each game this season

The Plays:

• Shaheed’s misfield of a punt was recovered in the endzone for a touchdown by Atlanta’s special teams unit.
• Hill plunged into the endzone for his first touchdown from 2 yards out. That tied things at seven midway through the first quarter.
• Hill runs in again for a five-year touchdown. This one gave the Saints a seven point lead just over a minute into the second quarter.
• On a screen attempt, Carr’s pass was tipped in the air and then picked off and returned for a touchdown by Falcons linebacker Troy Andersen.
• On a critical 4th-and-foal from the seven with 4:01 to play and the Falcons up six, the Saints failed to connect on a much-need touchdown to regain a late lead.
• The Saints retook the lead late thanks to a one-yard touchdown rush by Kamara with one minute to go.
• With 29 seconds remaining and the Falcons at their own 30 yard line, Adebo was flagged for pass interference. That 30 yard penalty put the Falcons in Saints territory and field goal range.

The Injuries:

• LInebacker Willie Gay Jr. was ruled out with a hand injury
• Hill was ruled out with an abdomen injury. This injury was a separate one from the chest injury that held him out of the team’s Week 3 matchup.
• Safety Tyrann Mathieu came out of the game late in the third quarter with a groin injury. He did not return.