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 for New Orleans.
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 of 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 just ahead of the two-minute warning.
Atlanta forced the Saints into a three-and-out on the next possession, though Alvin Kamara dropped a wide-open pass on third-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 2 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 first-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, who also lost on Sunday to the San Francisco 49ers.
For Vizzi, his first win as interim coach was an improvement to how his Sunday started. As he explained in his postgame presser, his trip to the bathroom in the head coach’s locker room presented a troubling omen.
MUST WATCH!!!!!
Darren Rizzi: insightful, informative and very real!
The #Saints interim head coach with a no B.S. glimpse into how his day started in the Superdome.
How can you not love this guy!!!!! pic.twitter.com/QrBjLjhMB2
— Fletcher Mackel (@FletcherWDSU) November 10, 2024
“I clogged the toilet,” Rizzi shared with reporters. “And I’m like, ‘This is gonna be a crappy day,’ pun intended!”
Everyone involved with the Saints’ locker room facilities is likely hoping this doesn’t begin a superstition.