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Game Recap: New Orleans Saints 20, Atlanta Falcons 17 | 2024 NFL Week 10

Defense steps up as Saints end seven-game losing streak

Check out the game action photos from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons for Week 10 of the 2024 NFL Season on Nov. 10, 2024 at Caesars Superdome.

With the offense struggling for the entire second half, the New Orleans Saints defense stepped up to preserve a a 20-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at the Caesars Superdome.

First, safety Tyrann Mathieu picked off Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins as he was marching the Falcons into scoring position. After the Saints gave the ball back on a punt, defensive end Chase Young sacked Cousins, and then on a desperate fourth-down play, Alontae Taylor made a game-sealing tackle as the clock expired.

The win ended the Saints' seven-game losing streak and improved their record to 3-7. Atlanta dropped to 6-4. It's the first victory for Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi, who replaced Dennis Allen on Monday.

The Saints led 17-7 at halftime but could only manage a 26-yard field goal by Blake Grupe in the second half. But because of Mathieu, his teammates on defense and some poor Atlanta kicking it was just enough. Atlanta's Younghoe Koo, who made a game-winning kick against New Orleans in Week 4, missed three field-goal attempts, one from 53 yards, a 35-yarder that was blocked by John Ridgeway and a 46-yarder that hit an upright.

The Saints raced to a 10-0 lead on a 38-yard field goal and a 40-yard touchdown pass from Derek Carr to Marquez Valdes-Scantling, his first touchdown with the Saints. After the Falcons scored on a 1-yard touchdown run by Bijan Robinson on fourth-and-goal in the second quarter, Carr and Valdes-Scantling connected on a 67-yard completion, giving the Saints first-and-goal from the 3-yard line. Following two running plays, Carr hit Valdes-Scantling for a 2-yard touchdown pass.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara became the team's all-time leading rusher with his second carry, a 7-yard run. He finished with 55 yards on 17 carries and had five receptions for 54 yards. But he dropped what would have been a game-sealing touchdown pass down the left sideline with under two minutes to play. Carr was 16 of 25 for 269 yards and two touchdowns. Valdes-Scantling had three receptions for 109 yards and two touchdowns.

In addition to Young's sack, defensive end Cameron Jordan and Payton Turner each had one. Mathieu's interception was the only turnover of the game.

The Saints will play host to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Nov. 17 at the Caesars Superdome.

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