In a thrilling NFC South showdown on November 10, 2024, at the Caesars Superdome, the New Orleans Saints defeated the Atlanta Falcons 20-17, snapping a seven-game losing streak in their first game under interim head coach Darren Rizzi. This Week 10 clash, steeped in a historic rivalry tied at 56-56, saw standout performances from Derek Carr and Marquez Valdes-Scantling for the Saints, countered by Bijan Robinson’s explosive rushing for the Falcons. The game, decided by clutch defensive plays from Tyrann Mathieu and Chase Young, showcased both teams’ resilience. Below is a unique analysis of the player stats, converting table data into narrative form with small tables to highlight key performers.
New Orleans Saints vs Atlanta Falcons Match Player Stats
- Sport: American Football (NFL)
- League: National Football League (NFL), NFC South Division
- Matchup: New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons
- Date: November 10, 2024 (Week 10)
- Time: 1:00 PM ET
- Broadcast: FOX
- Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Final Score: New Orleans Saints 20, Atlanta Falcons 17
- Winning Team: New Orleans Saints
Game Context: A Rivalry Reignited
The November 10, 2024, game, broadcast on FOX at 1:00 PM ET, drew a raucous crowd to the Caesars Superdome. The Saints, at 2-7, were desperate to end their skid after firing head coach Dennis Allen, with Rizzi stepping in to rally the team against the first-place Falcons (6-3). Despite Atlanta outgaining New Orleans 468-365 yards, the Saints capitalized on defensive stops and Atlanta’s missed field goals to secure the upset. This analysis dives into verified player stats, offering a narrative perspective on the performances that defined this intense divisional battle.
New Orleans Saints: Carr and Valdes-Scantling Spark Victory
The Saints’ offense leaned heavily on Derek Carr’s return from an oblique injury, with the quarterback completing 10 of 14 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns in the first half alone, finishing with 15 of 24 for 213 yards. His 40-yard and 2-yard touchdown passes to Marquez Valdes-Scantling were game-changers, with a 67-yard deep ball setting up the second score. Valdes-Scantling, in his second game with New Orleans, caught three of four targets for 109 yards and two touchdowns, his long receptions igniting the Superdome crowd.
Alvin Kamara was a workhorse, rushing 11 times for 50 yards and catching six of eight targets for 59 yards, totaling 109 yards from scrimmage. His second carry, a 7-yard run, made him the Saints’ all-time leading rusher, surpassing Mark Ingram. Taysom Hill added versatility, rushing four times for 14 yards and catching three passes for 21 yards, though a fourth-down rush fell short. Juwan Johnson contributed two receptions for 32 yards, including a key red-zone catch, while injuries to Chris Olave (concussion) and Cedrick Wilson Jr. (shoulder) limited the passing game.
Kicker Blake Grupe was clutch, making field goals of 38 and 26 yards to build a 17-7 halftime lead and extend it to 20-10. Defensively, Tyrann Mathieu’s interception of Kirk Cousins at the New Orleans 38 with two minutes left was pivotal, thwarting a potential game-tying drive. Chase Young’s sack and strip of Cousins for a 19-yard loss with 34 seconds remaining forced Atlanta into a rushed final play. Payton Turner added a red-zone sack, and John Ridgeway III blocked a 35-yard field goal attempt by Younghoe Koo, a turning point before halftime.
Saints Key Performers
| Player | YDS | TD | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Derek Carr | 213 (Pass) | 2 | 15/24, 40-Yd & 2-Yd TDs |
| Marquez Valdes-Scantling | 109 (Rec) | 2 | 3/4 Targets, 67-Yd & 40-Yd Catches |
| Alvin Kamara | 109 (50 Rush, 59 Rec) | 0 | 11 Carries, 6/8 Targets, Record |
The Saints’ 365 total yards (213 passing, 152 rushing) and 17 first downs reflected a balanced attack, though injuries to Olave and Wilson forced reliance on Valdes-Scantling and Kamara. Their plus-1 turnover margin, thanks to Mathieu’s pick, and Ridgeway’s blocked kick were decisive. The defense, despite allowing 468 yards, made critical stops, with Young’s sack sealing the 20-17 win.
Atlanta Falcons: Robinson’s Brilliance Falls Short
The Falcons’ offense, despite outgaining New Orleans, was undone by missed opportunities and three failed field goal attempts by Younghoe Koo. Kirk Cousins completed 23 of 38 passes for 306 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception, struggling to convert in the red zone. His final drive ended with Mathieu’s interception and Young’s sack, costing Atlanta a chance to tie or win. Bijan Robinson was the standout, rushing 17 times for 116 yards and scoring two touchdowns—a 1-yard plunge in the second quarter and a tackle-breaking 37-yard run in the third to make it 20-17. Robinson also caught four passes for 22 yards, showcasing his dual-threat ability.
Drake London, despite a hip injury, caught five passes for 88 yards, while Ray-Ray McCloud III had four receptions for 46 yards but was tackled short on a critical fourth-and-4 pass with 18 seconds left, ending Atlanta’s hopes. Kyle Pitts, hampered by a hamstring injury, caught three passes for 39 yards, and Darnell Mooney added two for 28 yards. Tyler Allgeier rushed five times for 19 yards, complementing Robinson’s output.
Koo struggled, missing a 53-yard field goal, having a 35-yard attempt blocked by Ridgeway, and hitting the upright on a 46-yard try—the first time in his career he missed three field goals in a game. Defensively, Matthew Judon and Dane Jackson made key stops, but the unit allowed 365 yards, including Valdes-Scantling’s big plays. The Falcons’ 181 rushing yards and 468 total yards showed offensive potential, but penalties, including consecutive infractions on a first-and-goal, limited them to a 27-yard field goal.
Falcons Key Performers
| Player | YDS | TD | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bijan Robinson | 138 (116 Rush, 22 Rec) | 2 | 17 Carries, 37-Yd & 1-Yd TDs |
| Kirk Cousins | 306 (Pass) | 0 | 23/38, 1 INT, Sacked Once |
| Drake London | 88 (Rec) | 0 | 5 Catches, Hip Injury |
Atlanta’s 468 total yards (306 passing, 162 rushing) and 24 first downs outpaced New Orleans, but their 3-of-11 third-down conversions and minus-1 turnover margin hurt. Koo’s misses and the defense’s inability to stop Valdes-Scantling’s deep catches cost them, despite Robinson’s heroics.
Head-to-Head Comparison
The Falcons dominated yardage (468 vs. 365) and first downs (24 vs. 17), but the Saints’ efficiency in the red zone (2-of-3) and plus-1 turnover margin trumped Atlanta’s 3-of-11 third-down rate. Carr’s two touchdowns outshone Cousins’ zero, while Robinson’s 138 yards from scrimmage nearly matched Kamara’s 109 but couldn’t overcome Koo’s misses. The Saints’ defense, with Mathieu’s interception and Young’s sack, outperformed Atlanta’s, which allowed 213 passing yards despite injuries to New Orleans’ receivers. Both teams were penalized moderately (Saints: 5 for 35 yards; Falcons: 6 for 50), but New Orleans’ clutch plays secured the 20-17 victory.
Defining Moments
The Saints jumped to a 10-0 lead with Grupe’s 38-yard field goal and Carr’s 40-yard touchdown to Valdes-Scantling. Atlanta answered with Robinson’s 1-yard touchdown, but Ridgeway’s blocked 35-yard field goal before halftime preserved a 17-7 lead. Robinson’s 37-yard touchdown run in the third made it 20-17, but Koo’s missed 46-yard field goal in the fourth kept Atlanta trailing. Mathieu’s interception with 2:16 left and Young’s sack with 34 seconds remaining halted Atlanta’s final drives, while McCloud’s failed fourth-down catch ended the game.
Humanized Narrative: Players Who Stood Out
This game was a tale of redemption and missed chances. Derek Carr’s 213 yards and two touchdowns, despite an injury-riddled receiving corps, showed his grit, his 67-yard pass to Valdes-Scantling a highlight reel moment. Valdes-Scantling, a recent addition, became an instant fan favorite with 109 yards, while Kamara’s record-breaking day and 109 yards from scrimmage embodied the Saints’ heart. Mathieu’s interception and Young’s sack sent the Superdome into a frenzy, marking Rizzi’s debut with a win.
For Atlanta, Bijan Robinson’s 116 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including a tackle-breaking 37-yarder, proved he’s a star, his post-game frustration palpable. Kirk Cousins’ 306 yards showed fight, but his interception and final sack left him lamenting missed opportunities. Koo’s three misses, a career anomaly, haunted the Falcons, who felt the sting of a winnable game. This rivalry matchup was about passion, with both teams leaving it all on the field.
Why This Game Resonates
For NFL fans searching for Saints vs. Falcons insights, this game underscored New Orleans’ resilience under Rizzi, with their 3-7 record belying their fight against the 6-4 Falcons. Atlanta’s loss tightened the NFC South race, exposing their red-zone struggles. Whether you’re a Saints fan celebrating Kamara’s record and a rivalry win or a Falcons supporter ruing Koo’s misses, this 20-17 thriller delivered drama and lessons for the 2024 season.
