New Orleans drops to 2-2 after falling to the Atlanta Falcons 26-24. The Black and Gold will return to action on "Monday Night Football," when they play at the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 7 at 7:15 p.m. CT. The contest will be nationally televised on ESPN (also available on WDSU 6 locally).
The Saints outgained the Falcons in yards (366 to 315) and had 25 first downs while limiting Atlanta to just 14, while not surrendering an offensive touchdown, the first time they kept an opposing offense out of the end zone this season and since Week 15 of the 2023 campaign.
The Black and Gold were seven of 13 on third down conversions (53.8 pct.) and held Atlanta to just four of 11 (36.4 pct.)
Quarterback Derek Carr finished 28 of 36 for 239 yards and one interception. At one point in the second half, Carr completed 13 straight passes.
Running back Alvin Kamara racked up over 100 yards from scrimmage again Sunday (119), finishing with 19 carries for 77 yards and a rushing score to go along with seven grabs for 42 yards receiving.
Kamara's touchdown late in the fourth quarter was the 84th of his career, tying Pro Football Hall of Fame reciver Calvin Johnson (Class of 2021), Andre Rison and Herschel Walker for 59th all time. The score also marked the 59th rushing touchdown of his career, tying former teammate Latavius Murray for 56th in NFL record books.
Kamara now has 10,584 career yards from scrimmage, 99th in league history.
Kamara's seven receptions bring his career total to 522. On Sunday, he passed Emmitt Smith (Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2010) and LeSean McCoy and sits at 12th all-time among NFL running backs in receptions.
Tight end Taysom Hill played in his 100th career game Sunday and was efficient for the Saints offense prior to leaving with an injury, adding six carries for 24 yards and two touchdowns. With the two scores, he now has 40 in his career, ninth-most in franchise history.
Hill's 29 career rushing touchdowns now rank fifth in club record books, passing RBs Tony Galbreath, Chuck Muncie and Pierre Thomas.
Wide receiver Chris Olave was key for the Saints offense Sunday, finishing with a season-high eight receptions for 87 yards.
Receiver/returner Rashid Shaheed had a career-high eight grabs for 83 yards as well as three kickoff returns for 75 yards (25.0 avg) and two punt returns for 17 yards.
Lucas Patrick got the start at left guard for the Saints and played in his 100th career game Sunday.
Cornerback Paulsen Adebo finished with a career-high and team-best 12 tackles (10 solo), one interception and three passes defensed.
Cornerback Alontae Taylor added four solo stops and two passes defensed.
Defensive end Payton Turner finished with three stops, including a strip sack for a loss of 11 yards to halt an Atlanta drive in Saints territory.
Linebacker Anthony Orji led the special teams units with two tackles.
Matthew Hayball punted three times for 120 yards (40.0 gross avg.) and downed all three inside the 20-yard line.
