Atlanta defeats NFC South rivals to end 5-game losing streak
The Atlanta Falcons defeated the New Orleans Saints, 24-10, in Week 12 to improve to 4-7 on the season. Sunday’s win ended a five-game losing streak for Atlanta, while New Orleans fell to 2-9. Kirk Cousins got the start for the Falcons threw for 199 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
The Saints failed on multiple fourth-down attempts and missed two field goals in what could have been a much more competitive game. Nonetheless, the Falcons have to be thrilled to escape with a win, even against a two-win Saints team.
Atlanta came up with five sacks on Sunday. Rookie James Pearce Jr. and second-year defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus each recorded 1.5 sacks. Third-round pick Xavier Watts closed the game out for the Falcons with his third interception of the season.
Check out the highlights, updates and post-game press conferences from Sunday’s NFC South showdown in New Orleans below.
Falcons secure 24-10 win over Saints: Week 12 HighlightsRaheem Morris, Kirk Cousins on Falcons’ 24-10 win over Saints
END OF GAME: Falcons 24, Saints 10
Atlanta improves to 4-7 and New Orleans falls to 2-9.
Falcons rookie Xavier Watts ends game with 3rd INT
The Falcons ended the game with an Xavier Watts interception. It was the rookie’s third interception of the season. Falcons 24, Saints 10 (END OF GAME)
Saints take back over, have ball with 2:01 left in game
The Saints trail by two touchdowns with two minutes left in the game. Their offensive hasn’t done much but they’re trying to make things interesting in the final minutes. Falcons 24, Saints 10 (2:00 left in 4th Quarter).
Saints fall short on 4th down again, Falcons take over
The Saints have been pitiful on fourth down all game long. Their latest fourth-down attempt came up just short and the Falcons have taken over with three minutes left. Atlanta will look to run the clock out as New Orleans has just two timeouts left. Falcons 24, Saints 10 (3:15 left in 4th Quarter).
Kirk Cousins throws TD to Darnell Mooney
The Falcons have taken a 24-10 lead over the Saints after Kirk Cousins’ 49-yard touchdown pass to Darnell Mooney. It was Cousins’ second touchdown of the game and Atlanta now holds a two-touchdown lead with 11:04 left in the game. Falcons 24, Saints 10 (11:04 left in 4th Quarter).
Saints settle for field goal, Falcons lead 16-10
The Saints trail by six with 12 minutes left in the game after hitting a field goal. After a long drive by New Orleans, the Falcons will take over leading 16-10. Falcons 16, Saints 10 (12:13 left in 4th quarter).
INJURY UPDATE: Falcons S Xavier Watts goes down
The Falcons’ rookie safety was slow to get up and has exited the game. Stand by for more updates on Xavier Watts.
END OF 3rd QUARTER: Falcons 16, Saints 7
The Saints have the ball near the goal line after a long drive to end the third quarter. Falcons 16, Saints 7 (12:17 left in 4th Quarter).
INJURY UPDATE: Falcons LG Matthew Bergeron out
Bergeron went down during the Falcons’ last drive and was replaced by Kyle Hinton at left guard. Bergeron has since returned.
Falcons go 3-and-out, punt ball back to Saints
The Falcons took over near their own goal line and came close to converting on third down but Bijan Robinson was ruled short. Atlanta punted and the Saints will take over with 4:39 left in the third quarter. Falcons 16, Saints 7 (4:09 left in 3rd Quarter)
Saints open 3rd quarter with long drive, fail to get points
The Saints blew another chance to put points on the board. After a long drive to open the second half, the team went for it on fourth down in the red zone and failed to convert. The Falcons will take over inside their own five-yard line. Falcons 16, Saints 7 (7:32 left in 3rd Quarter).
END OF FIRST HALF: Falcons 16, Saints 7
The Falcons hit another field goal to take a 16-7 first-half lead over the Saints. Zane Gonzalez is 3-for-3 and his last kick was from 56 yards out. Kirk Cousins has gone 14-for-20 for 118 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the first half. Bijan Robinson has 10 carries for 60 yards. Darnell Mooney and Kyle Pitts each have two catches for 25 yards, which is tied for the team-lead at halftime. Brandon Dorlus has two first-half sacks. Falcons 16, Saints 7 (HALFTIME).
Falcons convert on 4th down late in 1st half
The Falcons have the ball with 32 seconds left around midfield. Falcons 13, Saints 7 (27 seconds left in 2nd Quarter).
Falcons make field goal, Saints miss field goal
Zane Gonzalez converted his second field goal of the game and gave the Saints a 13-7 lead. New Orleans kicker Blake Grupe missed his second field goal attempt of the game and the Falcons took back over. Falcons 13, Saints 7 (38 seconds left in 2nd Quarter).
Falcons QB Kirk Cousins throw pick-six, Saints cut into lead
Cousins threw a slant to Kyle Pitts with coverage draped all over the tight end. It looked like the Saints defender may have interfered but nonetheless, safety Justin Reid picked the ball off and returned it for a touchdown. Falcons 10, Saints 7 (4:54 left in 2nd Quarter).
Saints offense struggles, Falcons take over
The Falcons are back on offense with a 10-point lead over the Saints with eight minutes left in the first half. Falcons 10, Saints 0 (8:16 left in 2nd Quarter).
Falcons take 10-0 lead after Cousins-Sills TD
Kirk Cousins connected with David Sills V on a nine-yard touchdown reception to take a 10-0 lead in the second quarter. It was the first touchdown of Sills’ NFL career. Falcons 10, Saints 0 (11:31 left in 2nd Quarter).
Falcons in scoring range early in 2nd Quarter
The Falcons have the ball on the move as the second quarter begins in New Orleans. Atlanta had the ball at the Saints’ 41-yard line with 13 minutes left in the second quarter. Bijan Robinson rushed for a 32-yard run to get into the red zone. Falcons 3, Saints 0 (13:34 left in 2nd Quarter).
END OF 1st QUARTER: Falcons 3, Saints 0
The Falcons hold a 3-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Falcons offense sputters, Saints take over
Kirk Cousins fumbled but the Falcons recovered and were forced to punt. The Saints have taken over on offense with three minutes left in the first quarter. Falcons 3, Saints 0 (3 minutes left in 1st Quarter).
Saints return punt into Falcons territory, miss field goal
The Saints popped a big return but couldn’t get points out of the drive. Blake Grupe missed the field goal attempt and the Falcons are still holding on to their 3-0 lead. Falcons 3, Saints 0 (8:30 left in 1st Quarter).
Saints fumble snap, Falcons recover take 3-0 lead
The Falcons are back on offense after the Saints fumbled the snap. After Kirk Cousins was sacked on third down, kicker Zane Gonzalez converted the field goal. Falcons 3, Saints 0 (10:41 left in 1st Quarter).
Falcons receive, go 3-and-out on 1st drive
After two runs and an incomplete pass, the Falcons punted the ball back to the Saints after their three-and-out. Falcons 0, Saints 0 (13 minutes left in 1st Quarter).
What time does Falcons vs. Saints start?  Date: Sunday, Nov. 23Time: 4:25 p.m. ETWhere: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LouisianaWhat TV channel is Falcons vs. Saints on Sunday?
Sunday’s game will air on FOX and a former Saints player will be in the booth. This time, instead of Jonathan Vilma, it will be Drew Brees calling the action. Adam Amin will join Brees in the FOX broadcast booth in Week 12.
Falcons inactives listWR Drake LondonRB Nathan CarterLB Josh WoodsWR Casey WashingtonDL Elijah GarciaEDGE Khalid KareemSaints inactives listS Ugo AmadiCB Rejzon WrightRB Audric EstimeOT Taliese FuagaDT John Ridgeway IIIDT Khristian Boyd
Both Drake London and Taliese Fuaga have been ruled out for Sunday’s game. London is dealing with a knee injury while Fuaga is out with an ankle injury.
WR Dylan DrummondS Jammie Robinson
Drummond and Robinson will join the team’s 53-man roster for Sunday’s game against the Saints.
Falcons uniforms: White with black helmets
The Falcons will wear their white road uniforms with white pants and black helmets against the Saints, as you see via the team’s social media account. Atlanta is 1-4 on the road this season.
Falcons vs. Saints TV map (game in blue)
Sunday’s game will air on FOX in the blue-shaded areas on the Week 12 TV map below (via 506 Sports).
Falcons regular-season schedule 2025
Below is Atlanta’s regular-season schedule.
Week 1: Loss (23-20) vs. BuccaneersWeek 2: WIN (22-6) At VikingsWeek 3: LOSS (30-0) At PanthersWeek 4: WIN (34-27) vs. CommandersWeek 5: BYE WEEKWeek 6: WIN Buffalo Bills (24-14)Week 7: LOSS San Francisco 49ers (20-10)Week 8: LOSS Miami Dolphins (34-10)Week 9: LOSS New England Patriots (24-23)Week 10: LOSS Indianapolis Colts (31-25)Week 11: LOSS Carolina Panthers (30-27)Week 12: At New Orleans SaintsWeek 13: At New York JetsWeek 14: Seattle SeahawksWeek 15: At Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TNF)Week 16: At Arizona CardinalsWeek 17: Los Angeles Rams (MNF)Week 18: New Orleans Saints