Saints get 1st win after firing Dennis Allen, snap 7-game losing streak with 20–17 victory over Falcons

The New Orleans Saints won their first game since head coach Dennis Allen was fired last Monday, defeating the Atlanta Falcons, 20–17. The victory under interim coach Darren Rizzi ended a seven-game losing streak.

Atlanta kicker Younghoe Koo missed three field goals, including a 46-yard attempt with 6:39 remaining in the fourth quarter that doinked off the right upright instead of tying the game.

Koo also missed a 53-yard kick in the first quarter and had a 35-yard attempt blocked just before halftime. Prior to Week 10, he made 16-of-20 kicks including 5-for-7 from 50 yards or longer.

The Falcons still had an opportunity for a game-tying or go-ahead score with five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. But Kirk Cousins threw into double coverage over the middle and was picked off by Tyrann Mathieu.

Atlanta’s defense forced the Saints into a 3-and-out on the next possession, though Alvin Kamara dropped a wide-open pass on 3rd-and-4 that likely would have resulted in a touchdown.

Derek Carr completed 16-of-25 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns. Both scoring throws (for 40 yards and two yards) went to Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who had three receptions for 109 yards. Kamara compiled 55 yards rushing on 17 carries with another 54 yards receiving on five catches.

The Falcons had one last drive to tie the score or take the lead with Cousins completing passes to Drake London and Darnell Mooney. New Orleans also gave Atlanta a first down on a defensive holding penalty by Alontae Taylor.

However, Cousins was sacked by Chase Young on 1st-and-10 from the Saints’ 49 and fumbled. Jake Matthews recovered, but the play was a 19-yard loss.

Cousins threw for 250 yards, completing 18-of-33 passes. Bijan Robinson rushed for 116 yards on 20 carries with two touchdowns. And London had seven receptions for 86 yards.

The Falcons dropped to 6–4 with the loss, but still hold first place in the NFC South with a two-game lead over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.