The Atlanta Falcons continue to find themselves entangled in tense and thrilling matchups against the New Orleans Saints, and their latest clash was no exception. Despite numerous chances to secure a firmer grasp on the game, Atlanta faltered, leading to a nail-biting finish where Younghoe Koo had to attempt a 58-yard field goal to clinch the win. This scenario is a reminder of the mistakes that plagued the Falcons throughout the game.
Fortunately for Atlanta fans, Koo rose to the occasion, successfully kicking the long field goal and giving the Falcons a dramatic 26-24 victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This win not only broke the career tie in victories between the two teams but also brought both franchises to an equal record in 2024. Though the game was marked by frustrating moments, the outcome was a source of joy for Falcons supporters.
Here’s a recap of the game, detailing the actions play by play.
1st Quarter
The Falcons received the kickoff and started with a touchback. Bijan Robinson ran up the middle for a two-yard gain, followed by a swing pass to him that resulted in a first down due to a holding penalty on the play. Quarterback Kirk Cousins attempted a deep pass to Drake London, which fell incomplete under heavy coverage. Cousins then connected with Kyle Pitts, but the pass was dropped. However, he found London again on third down to secure another first down. Robinson gained a yard on first down, then Cousins hit Ray-Ray McCloud for another first down, though the play was negated by a penalty on Matthew Bergeron. A short pass to McCloud gained five yards, but the Falcons faced a 4th and 11 after failing to convert. They punted, but the return man bobbled the catch, and KhaDarel Hodge fell on it for a touchdown. The Falcons led 7-0.
After the Saints took a touchback, Derek Carr quickly passed to Chris Olave for a 15-yard gain. Alvin Kamara added four more yards, but the drive stalled as Taysom Hill helped advance to a first down. Kamara gained three yards on a swing pass. After a few more plays, Hill scored a touchdown for New Orleans to even the score at 7-7.
The Falcons attempted a response with a swing pass for McCloud for four yards, but Cousins’ subsequent deep shot to London was unproductive. After an interception thrown by Cousins to Paulson Adebo, the Saints regained control. Kamara and Hill contributed on the next drive, with Carr completing passes before the quarter ended.
2nd Quarter
The Saints pulled ahead when Taysom Hill scored again, making it 14-7. In response, McCloud returned the kickoff, and Atlanta’s offense worked to close the gap. Younghoe Koo kicked a 53-yard field goal, reducing the lead to 14-10.
A turnover occurred when Carr was pressured, leading to an interception by Troy Andersen, who returned it for a touchdown, shifting the lead to the Falcons at 17-14. The Saints responded but were unable to score before returning the ball back to Atlanta.
3rd Quarter
The Saints started the second half with a quick pass to Kamara, but the Falcons’ defense stifled their advance. On the ensuing possession, Cousins threw a successful completion to Darnell Mooney, keeping the drive alive. The Falcons increased their lead with another field goal from Koo, bringing the score to 20-14.
The Saints battled back, with Carr finding his receivers, but they had to settle for a field goal, reducing the lead to 20-17.
4th Quarter
The Falcons continued to push back against the Saints, with Allgeier running effectively to secure first downs. Cousins found targets and successfully moved the balance closer as Koo nailed another field goal, raising the score to 23-17.
Despite a strong offensive effort, the Saints marched down the field, eventually regaining the lead when Kamara scored, putting the score at 24-23.
Facing pressure, the Falcons managed a final drive that culminated in Koo’s 58-yard field goal triumph, solidifying the win for Atlanta at 26-24. This historical kick marked a significant highlight in Koo’s career and secured a memorable victory over their division rivals.