This was an embarrassing loss. We said before this game that the New Orleans Saints needed to beat teams like the Atlanta Falcons (who went into Sunday with a 3-7 record) and prove they’re better than their record says they are. Instead, Kellen Moore’s team looks every inch like a team that deserves its last-place record. A team reflects the coach, and the Saints lack an edge. They looked out of their depth against a division rival that’s been underperforming all year.

So what went wrong? Let’s run through the highlights.

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Falcons break out with a Darnell Mooney TD, Bijan Robinson two-point try

This is getting embarrassing. Darnell Mooney only caught 16 passes in his first eight games, but he’s outmatched each of the Saints’ most experienced cornerbacks. This time he got a step on Kool-Aid McKinstry for a 49-yard touchdown pass. Bijan Robinson dove in for a two-point conversion after that to make this a two-touchdown game. Falcons 24, Saints 10

After a tortuous sequence, Saints finally score again

The Falcons kicked another field goal, and after far too long, the Saints responded with one of their own. That’s after they drove down to the 1-yard line on a 15-play, 44-yard drive and steadily lost yards. It’s a mess. Whatever self evaluating Kellen Moore did during the bye week didn’t help. Falcons 16, Saints 10

Saints rule out Alvin Kamara with a knee injury

Kamara’s right leg folded awkwardly on a tackle by his old teammate Kaden Elliss, and he was initially evaluated in the blue medical tent on the Saints’ sideline before walking to the locker room for a longer look. The Saints initially said he was questionable but later said he would not return after halftime. Because Audric Estime was inactive, rookie draft pick Devin Neal is the only available running back.

Falcons make their field goal, Saints miss theirs

Blake Grupe is a problem. He answered a Falcons field goal with a miss from 47 yards, and he’s now alone in second place for the most missed field goals since the Saints gave him the job over Wil Lutz (with 18 of them). Only Matt Gay (20) has more. Falcons 13, Saints 7

Saints come through with a pick-six when they need it most

How’s that for a heady play? A pass bounced off of Kyle Pitts’ hands and into Justin Reid’s, and the veteran safety raced to the end zone for a defensive touchdown. It wasn’t enough to give the Saints the lead, but it went a long way towards cutting into the deficit. Blake Grupe’s extra point kick was good. Falcons 10, Saints 7

A bad drive for Alontae Taylor ends with a Falcons TD

This can’t happen. Taylor gave up a first down conversion to wide receiver Darnell Mooney, who caught just 16 passes in his first eight games this year. Then he gave a touchdown pass to wideout David Sills V, who had caught even fewer receptions (four in ten games). He’s got to win those battles and prove the Saints should invest a long-term contract extension in him. Now they’re playing from behind. Falcons 10, Saints 0

Saints get a great return, but Blake Grupe misses a field goal

Way to squander a big opportunity. Mason Tipton gained 75 yards on the kickoff, but the Saints offense went backwards — Taysom Hill was stopped at the line of scrimmage, Cesar Ruiz gave up a big sack on Tyler Shough, and Alvin Kamara’s third-and-long screen went nowhere. Then Blake Grupe sent a 38-yard field goal off course. It’s his sixth miss from inside 40 yards since the Saints chose him over Wil Lutz, who signed a new contract this week.

Falcons score first, but they not without problems

The Saints defense forced a quick three-and-out to start the game, but Alvin Kamara and Tyler Shough fumbled the exchange to start their own drive, which Atlanta recovered. The Falcons’ subsequent drive stalled out when Kirk Cousins was sacked by Chase Young on third down, and they made a 56-yard field goal down the middle. Falcons 3, Saints 0

Saints win the opening coin toss, elect to kick

Here’s a departure from the norm. Head coach Kellen Moore had aggressively sought to start games with the ball in his offense’s hands going into the bye week, but without much early success. Now he’s letting the fired-up Who Dat Nation set the tone in an intense rivalry game.

New Orleans Saints inactive playersRT Taliese Fuaga (injury)S Ugo AmadiCB Rejzohn WrightRB Audric EstimeDT John RidgewayDT Khristian BoydAtlanta Falcons inactive playersWR Drake London (injury)LB Josh Woods (injury)RB Nathan CarterOL Michael JerrellWR Casey WashingtonDL Elijah GarciaDL Khalid KareemWhat time does Saints vs. Falcons start?Date: Sunday, Nov. 23Start time: 3:25 p.m. CT/4:25 p.m. ET

The Saints vs. Falcons game starts at 3:25 p.m. CT from the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La.

What channel is Saints vs. Falcons on today?TV Channel: FOXLivestream: Fubo (free trial) – Peacock (subscriber only)

Saints vs. Falcons will be broadcast nationally on FOX in Week 12 of the 2025 NFL season. Adam Amin and Drew Brees will call the game from the booth at Caesars Superdome, with Kristina Pink reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include Paramount+, CBS’s subscription streaming service, and FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.