Check out the pregame warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 29, 2024 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Check out the pregame warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 29, 2024 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Check out the pregame warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 29, 2024 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Check out the pregame warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 29, 2024 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Check out the pregame warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 29, 2024 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Check out the pregame warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 29, 2024 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Check out the pregame warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 29, 2024 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Check out the pregame warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 29, 2024 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Check out the pregame warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 29, 2024 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Check out the pregame warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 29, 2024 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Check out the pregame warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 29, 2024 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Check out the pregame warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 29, 2024 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Check out the pregame warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 29, 2024 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Check out the pregame warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 29, 2024 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Check out the pregame warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 29, 2024 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Check out the pregame warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 29, 2024 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Check out the pregame warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 29, 2024 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Check out the pregame warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 29, 2024 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Check out the pregame warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 29, 2024 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Check out the pregame warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 29, 2024 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Check out the pregame warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 29, 2024 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Check out the pregame warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 29, 2024 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Check out the pregame warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 29, 2024 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Check out the pregame warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 29, 2024 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Check out the pregame warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 29, 2024 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Check out the pregame warm-ups from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 NFL Season on Sept. 29, 2024 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Atlanta – For the second consecutive week, the New Orleans Saints did a much better job of beating themselves than did an opponent. And now, courtesy of Sunday's 26-24 loss to the Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the Saints have a .500 record (2-2) heading into a Monday night road game against Kansas City.
OFFENSE: There's no skirting the fact that the Saints left clumps of meat on the bone, while also managing to put food on the Falcons' table. Misfortune struck quarterback Derek Carr, whose tipped pass turned into a 47-yard interception return for a touchdown. Pair that with a failure to score any points off a first-and-goal from the 5-yard line in the fourth quarter, and that's all that was needed to prevent victory. The running game got back on track (131 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries), Carr otherwise was efficient (28 of 36 for 239 yards) and the offensive line held firm despite new starters at center (Shane Lemieux) and right guard (Landon Young). But the Saints didn't take enough advantage of what was presented, and that's something that has to be rectified.
DEFENSE: When you only allow 12 points, you probably should win the game. The Saints' defense held Atlanta to field goals of 53, 44, 42 and 58 yards, 315 total yards and 4 for 11 on third down. They only were able to provide one sack and one forced turnover, but the overall numbers were winning numbers for the second consecutive week. The run defense numbers weren't great (5.9 yards per carry on 15 attempts) but, again, keeping an opponent out of the end zone (accomplished) and off the scoreboard is the objective, and New Orleans did a good enough job in those areas. But penalties in the secondary have to be cleaned up; the Falcons targeted cornerback Paulson Adebo and while he provided the turnover with an interception, he also accrued several pass interference penalties, one of which was declined and one of which gave the Falcons the needed yardage to get in position for a 58-yard, game-winning field goal. That's something that'll have to be cleaned up, pronto.
SPECIAL TEAMS: For the first time this season, one of the Saints' special team units had a very, very costly error. Punt returner Rashid Shaheed opted to try to field a punt at his 3-yard line after the Saints defense forced a punt on the opening drive of the game but muffed the punt. The Falcons recovered in the end zone and added to the pick-6, the Falcons' offense didn't have to score a touchdown for Atlanta to win the game. Shaheed, an All-Pro returner last season, had a lapse in judgment on that one by attempting to field the punt inside his 10, a costly lesson.
