The Falcoholic
It wasn’t pretty, but Falcons-Saints rarely is. It wasn’t exactly a testament to this team’s strength of roster or coaching, but it wasn’t expected to be. What it ultimately was a win, a 2025 sweep of the Saints, and a second-straight 8-9 season locked up.
The Falcons struggled offensively much of the day, which meant the defense had to step up and did. Atlanta held the Saints to 17 points—including a last minute touchdown—and the offense set up enough Zane Gonzalez field goals to win. That means a four game winning streak to end the season, and now we wait to see what major decisions are looming for Atlanta.
Here’s a drive-by-drive recap of the game you just watched.
Atlanta had the ball first, and Deven Thompkins was stopped at the 24. Bijan Robinson got four yards on first down after cutting it outside. Tyler Allgeier took the second carry for three yards. Then Kirk Cousins, not finding anyone downfield, was sacked on third down. Punt, and despite a dramatic bounce, the Saints had it about the 20.
A rollout throw to Juwan Johnson on first down turned into a fumble when A.J. Terrell hit him, and Xavier Watts scooped it up to make it Falcons ball.
Cousins hopped away from one sack attempt and was sacked on the next play. Bijan was tackled for no gain. A quick pass to Bijan got 12 yards on 3rd and 15 to set up a 4th and 3, and the Falcons got it with a dart to Kyle Pitts over the middle. Bijan was then tackled after maybe a yard. Cousins then hit Darnell Mooney on the sideline for nine yards. Robinson got the remaining yard. Cousins then threw a terrible interception on a screen pass attempt to Pitts and it was New Orleans ball.
Audric Estime was hit and dropped for a small loss. Estime was tripped up on a swing pass after picking up about three yards. Ronnie Bell was then hit after getting seven yards, and the Saints elected to punt. Thompkins was hit hard at the 26 yard line on the return.
Cousins threw a duck low and a diving Drake London couldn’t quite hold on to it. Cousins evaded one sack attempt and managed to get one loose that was too high, but a defensive holding call on the Saints gave the Falcons some life. Robinson was tackled after a yard again. Allgeier then picked up four yards. Cousins then threw it to London short of the sticks, but it was knocked out of his hands. Punt, and the Falcons downed it inside the 10 yard line.
Estime was hit at the line of scrimmage and got a couple of yards. Tyler Shough then missed Kevin Austin Jr. over the middle. Shough tried Austin again, but CJ Henderson knocked it away. Jammie Robinson then dashed in and got a hand on the punt, which flew up into the air and landed before Feleipe Franks...
