WEEK 4 · Sun 09/29 · 12:00 PM CDT
Saints
New Orleans Saints
AT
Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
SAINTS: Roster | Depth Chart | Stats | Injury Report
FALCONS: Roster | Depth Chart | Stats | Injury Report
The New Orleans Saints (2-1) will play at the Atlanta Falcons (1-2) in the front end of the first of a pair of two-game road trips in the 2024 season, as they seek to remain in at least a tie for first place in the NFC South. Kickoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is set for Noon CT on Sunday.
New Orleans is coming off a 15-12 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. The two longtime NFC rivals battled for nearly all 60 minutes until Saints QB Derek Carr was intercepted by Eagles S Reed Blankenship with 48 seconds remaining. New Orleans had gotten out of the gates quickly for the third consecutive week this season in the
opening possession when K Blake Grupe kicked a 34-yard field goal. The 3-0 score stood until the fourth quarter, as the Saints defense stopped the Eagles on five straight
trips into their territory, but ultimately gave up two huge plays that were the difference in the game.
The Atlanta Falcons fell to the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs 22-17 in Week 3. Even though the Falcons lost the time of possession battle (25:03) and were 2-of-9 on third down, their defense was able to keep them in the game and give the offense a chance to win it late. With less than a minute left, the Falcons were unable to convert on fourth down from the Chiefs' 12-yard line (Atlanta was 1-of-3 on fourth down).
Despite the Saints' loss, New Orleans is tied for first place in the NFC South with Tampa Bay (2-1), who hosts Philadelphia in Week 4. The Carolina Panthers (1-2) will host the Cincinnati Bengals (0-3).
SAINTS vs. FALCONS SERIES HISTORY
The Saints-Falcons regular season series is led 55-54 by the Saints, with New Orleans holding a 25-11 advantage over the Falcons since 2006. Since 1991, 36 games have been decided by eight points or less. The Falcons had a 10-game winning streak from 1995-99, which remains the Saints' longest winless streak against an opponent. New Orleans took 13-of-16 in the rivalry from 1986-94 and Atlanta won nine-straight over the fledgling Saints from 1969-73. Atlanta's most recent mastery over a five-year period ended with a 21-19 win for New Orleans at the Georgia Dome on Nov. 22, 2000. Eight games in the series have gone into overtime.
- In the 109 regular season games of the series there has been:
- 2,344 points scored by New Orleans, 2,411 allowed.
- A ten-game Atlanta winning streak from 1995-99.
- A six-game win streak for New Orleans from 1986-89.
- 46 games decided by double-digits.
- 18 games decided by 21 or more points.
- 54 games decided by seven points or less.
- 4 games decided by one point.
- A 38-point win by Saints (11/1/87) - Biggest Saints win.
- A 55-point loss by Saints (9/16/73) - Biggest Saints loss.
- Four shutouts - Two by each club, the most recent a 38-0 Saints win in Atlanta on 11/1/87.
- Eight overtime games— four wins by each club.
- Six Monday night games, two Sunday night games and eight Thursday night games, including Thanksgiving night in 2018 and 2019.
THE LAST MEETING
Falcons 17, Saints 48; Jan. 7, 2024 @ Caesars Superdome – The New Orleans Saints did their part. They defeated the Atlanta Falcons 48-17 on Sunday at the Caesars Superdome to finish the regular season 9-8. But with the Tampa Bay Bay Buccaneers defeating the Carolina Panthers, the Bucs won the NFC South.
It was arguably Derek Carr's best game as a Saint as he was 22 of 28 for 264 yards and four touchdowns with a 145.5 rating. Safety Tyrann Mathieu almost had a pick-six at the end of the game but was tackled at the 1-yard line after a 74-yard return with 1:13 to play. Williams scored on a 1-yard dive on the next play. FULL GAME RECAP
Check out the game action shots from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 18 of the 2023 NFL season.
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SAINTS vs. FALCONS SERIES FAST FACTS
SERIES FAST FACTS - as of Week 3 2024 | |
Saints’ Largest Margin of Victory | 38 points, Saints won 38-0 on 11/01/87 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. |
Falcons’ Largest Margin of Victory | 55 points, Falcons won 62-7 on 09/16/73 at Tulane Stadium. |
Current Series Streak | Saints won last contest, 1/7/24-present. |
Saints’ Longest Win Streak | Six games, 12/14/86 - 11/19/89. |
Falcons’ Longest Win Streak | Ten games, 9/17/95 - 12/05/99. |
Most Points by Saints in a Game | 48 points, Saints won 48-17 on 1/7/24 at the Caesars Superdome. |
Most Points by Falcons in a Game | 62 points, Falcons won 62-7 on 9/16/73 at Tulane Stadium. |
Most Combined Points (Both Teams) | 80 points, Saints won 43-37 on 9/23/18 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. |
Fewest Points by Saints in a Game | 0 points (twice), most recent, Falcons won 27-0 on 09/06/81 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. |
Fewest Points by Falcons in a Game | Zero points (twice), last, Saints won 30-0, 10/10/76 at Superdome. |
Fewest Combined Points (Both Teams) | 16 points, Saints won 13-3 on 10/20/74 at Atlanta Stadium. |
A look at the top individual performances for Saints players vs. Atlanta in the previous 109 regular season meetings.
RUSHING YARDAGE vs. FALCONS | Details |
RB Deuce McAllister | 28 carries for 173 yards, @ Louisiana Superdome, Nov. 16, 2003 |
RB Chuck Muncie | 22 carries for 161 yards, @ Louisiana Superdome, Sept. 2, 1979 |
RB Dalton Hilliard | 29 carries for 158 yards, @ Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Nov. 19, 1989 |
PASSING YARDAGE vs. FALCONS | Details |
QB Drew Brees | 31-of-58 for 422 yards, @ Georgia Dome, Nov. 9, 2008 |
QB Drew Brees | 39-of-49 for 396 yards, @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Sept. 23, 2018 |
QB Drew Brees | 36-of-54 for 376 yards, @ Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Sept. 26, 2016 |
RECEIVING YARDAGE vs. FALCONS | Details |
WR Wes Chandler | Six receptions for 205 yards (club record), @ Louisiana Superdome, Sept. 2, 1979 |
WR Larry Burton | Four receptions for 159 yards, @ Louisiana Superdome, Nov. 2, 1975 |
WR Devery Henderson | Four receptions for 158 yards, @ Georgia Dome, Nov. 26, 2006 |
SACKS vs. FALCONS | Details |
DL Wayne Martin | 4.5 sacks (club record), @ Louisiana Superdome, Dec. 3, 1992 |
DE Cameron Jordan | Four sacks, @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Nov. 28, 2019 |
LB Rickey Jackson | Four sacks, @ Fulton County Stadium, Dec. 14, 1986 |
SAINTS vs. FALCONS STATISTICAL COMPARISON
2024 NFL Regular Season League Rankings
Saints | Falcons | |
Record | 2-1 | 1-2 |
Scoring Avg. (NFL Rank) | 34.3 (2) | 16.3 (26t) |
Opp. Scoring Avg. (NFL Rank) | 14.7 (5) | 20.3 (13t) |
Total Offense (NFL Rank) | 343.3 (9t) | 307.3 (20) |
Rushing Offense (NFL Rank) | 153.0 (6) | 107.7 (18) |
Passing Offense (NFL Rank) | 190.3 (20) | 199.7 (18) |
Total Defense (NFL Rank) | 335.3 (21) | 326.7 (18) |
Rushing Defense (NFL Rank) | 99.3 (8) | 150.3 (27) |
Passing Defense (NFL Rank) | 236.0 (25) | 176.3 (11) |
Punt Return Avg. (NFL Rank) | 12.0 (8t) | 10.2 (15) |
Kickoff Return Avg. (NFL Rank) | 32.5 (4) | 26.8 (14) |
Turnover Margin (NFL Rank) | +4 (3t) | -2 (24t) |
Possession Avg. | 31:38 | 24:36 |
Touchdowns | 12 | 5 |
Penalties | 18 | 14 |
Penalty Yards | 160 | 118 |
Opp. Penalties | 17 | 24 |
Opp. Penalty Yards | 151 | 174 |
SAINTS vs. FALCONS CONNECTIONS
New Orleans RB Alvin Kamara is an Atlanta native who prepped at Norcross (Ga.) HS, where he rushed for 2,264 yards and 26 touchdowns while averaging 7.5 yards per carry and added 22 receptions for 286 yards and five scores as a senior in 2012, earning Georgia Mr. Football honors from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Kamara and Atlanta linebacker Lorenzo Carter were high school teammates.
Saints Defensive Coordinator Joe Woods and Atlanta Head Coach Raheem Morris served on the same coaching staffs at Hofstra in 1998 and with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2004-05.
Saints defensive back Will Harris is a Suwanee, Ga. native. Harris was tutored on special teams by Atlanta Special Teams Coordinator Marquice Williams in Detroit from 2019-20.
Harris and Atlanta guard Chris Lindsrom and safety Justin Simmons were college teammates at Boston College.
New Orleans running back Jamaal Williams, Harris and Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes were teammates in Detroit in 2022.
New Orleans offensive lineman Oli Udoh, Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins and Hughes were teammates with the Minnesota Vikings.
Cousins was tutored by Saints Offensive Coordinator Klint Kubiak and Quarterbacks Coach Andrew Janocko in Minnesota.
Saints linebacker Willie Gay Jr., safety Tyrann Mathieu, defensive tackle Khalen Saunders and Hughes were teammates in Kansas City in 2021.
Falcons General Manager Terry Fontenot is a Lake Charles native and four-year letterman at Tulane University who worked in the New Orleans front office from 2003-20, most recently serving as VP/assistant general manager/pro personnel during his final season in New Orleans.
Saints Head Coach Dennis Allen's late father, Grady, played for Atlanta from 1968-72.
Dennis Allen served on the Falcons defensive coaching staff from 2002-05 before coming to New Orleans in 2006.
Saints wide receiver Bub Means prepped at Lovejoy (Ga.) HS.
Saints CB Paulson Adebo and Falcons OL Drew Dalman were college teammates at Stanford.
Saints defensive end Chase Young, wide receiver Chris Olave, linebacker Pete Werner and Falcons linebacker Zach Harrison and long snapper Liam McCullough were teammates at Ohio State.
Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor and Falcons safety Micah Abernathy were teammates at Tennessee.
Falcons Run Game Coord./Offensive Line Dwayne Ledford went to training camp with the Saints in 2006.
New Orleans Secondary Coach Marcus Robertson was tutored by Falcons Asst. Head Coach/Defense Jerry Gray from 1999-2000, when he was the Tennessee Titans secondary coach.
Robertson and Gray served on the same Tennessee Titans staff in 2011.
Saints Senior Offensive Asst. Rick Dennison and Saints Tight Ends Coach Clancy Barone, Janocko and Kubiak served on the same Vikings staff with Gray.
Barone served in the same position in Atlanta from 2005-06 and as offensive line coach in 2004.
Falcons defensive tackle David Onyemata was a third round draft pick of the Saints in 2016 and played for them from 2016-22.
Atlanta defensive tackle Kentavius Street played for the Saints in 2022.
Saints kicker Blake Grupe and defensive end Isaiah Foskey and Falcons linebacker JD Bertrand were teammates at Notre Dame.
Atlanta linebacker Kaden Elliss was a seventh round draft pick of New Orleans in 2019 and played for the Saints from 2019-23.
New Orleans defensive tackle Bryan Bresee and Falcons defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro were teammates at Clemson.
Saints linebacker D'Marco Jackson and Falcons guard Ryan Neuzil were teammates at Appalachian State.
Falcons VP of Football Operations/Player Personnel Ryan Pace worked in the New Orleans front office from 2001-14, including serving as director of player personnel from 2013-14.
Falcons Pro Scout Ben Martinez is a westbank native who came to Atlanta after working for the Saints in equipment and video.
Atlanta offensive lineman Storm Norton spent the first three weeks of 2023 on the Saints practice squad.
New Orleans cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry prepped at Pinson (Al.) Valley HS and played at Alabama with Falcons running back Jase McClellan.
New Orleans linebacker Jaylan Ford and Atlanta running back Bijan Robinson were teammates at Texas.
New Orleans guard Lucas Patrick played with Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney, a former Tulane Standout, in Chicago from 2022-23.
Atlanta Wide Receivers Coach Ike Hilliard is the nephew of former Saints standout running back Dalton Hilliard and prepped at Patterson (La.) HS.
Saints Running Backs Coach Derrick Foster and Falcons Tight Ends Coach Kevin Koger served on the same L.A. Chargers staff from 2021-23.