Key takeaway: The Falcons’ offense did enough to win in New Orleans, even without starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and star wide receiver Drake London. That’s a good sign, especially since Penix is out for the remainder of the season and London holds a week-to-week status. Atlanta needed this win. Not only did it stop the recent losing skid, but it also feels good to get a win against such a big rival.
Key moment: Falcons inside linebacker Ronnie Harrison deflected a Saints pass on fourth-and-1 at Atlanta’s 1-yard line. It ended a third-quarter drive in which the Saints moved the ball 74 yards on 15 plays – their longest drive by far. Had New Orleans scored, it would have become a one-possession game. Instead, the Falcons remained up, 16-17, at the time.
Standout performance: Brandon Dorlus. The Falcons’ defensive lineman recorded 1.5 sacks, which put him at six in his career. Dorlus is now tied with linebacker Aundray Bruce (1988) for most sacks through 13 career games as a Falcons player.
Honorable mention: James Pearce Jr. The Falcons’ edge rusher also recorded 1.5 sacks. His last one gave the Falcons four overall against the Saints. Atlanta, therefore, has had at least four sacks in its last four games – a franchise first.
Number to know: 3. The number of plays the Falcons ran in the third quarter. It tied for their fewest plays in a quarter since 1991.