The Atlanta Falcons didn’t just win—they reclaimed their season. On Sunday, November 23, 2025, they crushed the New Orleans Saints 24-10 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, ending a five-game losing streak and securing their first win in the NFC South this year. The victory moved Atlanta to 4-7, while New Orleans sank to 2-9, deepening the despair in a season that once held promise. This wasn’t a fluke. It was a statement. And it came at the worst possible time for the Saints.
A Season on the Brink
The Falcons began 2025 at 3-2, with fans dreaming of a playoff push. But then came the collapse: losses to the Panthers, Buccaneers, and even the Lions by double digits. Momentum vanished. Confidence cracked. By Week 11, Atlanta was being written off—some analysts even suggested trading their starting quarterback before the deadline. Meanwhile, the Saints, under second-year head coach Kellen Moore, were supposed to be rebuilding. Instead, they’ve become the league’s most baffling mystery. After a promising 2024 campaign, they’ve regressed into a turnover-prone, defensively porous mess. This game wasn’t just a loss—it was a coronation of incompetence.
The Game That Changed Everything
From the opening drive, Atlanta looked like a team that remembered how to win. Quarterback Desmond Ridder (who started after an injury to Marcus Jones) carved up New Orleans’ secondary with precision, throwing for 212 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Kenneth Walker III added 98 yards and a crucial 12-yard score in the third quarter that effectively sealed the game. The defense? Even better. They forced three turnovers—two interceptions off Saints QB Andy Dalton, who was playing his first start since Week 5 after Jameis Winston’s season-ending injury. One pick was returned 47 yards by rookie linebacker Malik Jefferson, setting up Atlanta’s first touchdown.
By halftime, the Falcons led 17-3. The Saints’ offense managed just 87 total yards. Their only touchdown came on a 1-yard plunge by tight end Juwan Johnson in the third quarter, after a rare 14-play drive that consumed over seven minutes. It was too little, too late. The crowd at the Caesars Superdome, once raucous, fell silent by the fourth quarter. Fans started leaving early—something that hasn’t happened here since 2021.
Postgame Reactions: Hope in Atlanta, Heartbreak in New Orleans
On the Atlanta sideline, head coach Raheem Morris didn’t celebrate wildly. He hugged his coordinators, nodded to the players, and said simply: “We’re not done. But this? This is a start.” For a team that had lost six of seven, the emotional weight of this win can’t be overstated. Players told reporters they felt like they’d “broken a curse.”
In New Orleans, the mood was grim. Kellen Moore, hired in February 2024 after a successful stint as Dallas’ offensive coordinator, faced a barrage of questions about play-calling and leadership. “We’re not playing like a team that wants to win,” he admitted afterward. “That’s on me.”
The postgame show on the Saints’ YouTube channel, hosted by former linebacker Scott Shanle and reporter Erin Summers, was unusually blunt. Shanle, who played 10 seasons in New Orleans and won Super Bowl XLIV, said: “I’ve seen a lot of bad teams. This one? They’re not just bad—they’re lost. And I don’t know who’s going to fix it.”
What This Means for the NFC South
With six games left, the division is a three-team race between the Falcons (4-7), Buccaneers (5-6), and Panthers (5-6). The Saints (2-9) are mathematically alive but practically eliminated. The Falcons now sit just 1.5 games behind Tampa Bay for the division lead. If they win their next two—against Carolina and Jacksonville—they could be in playoff contention by Christmas.
But here’s the twist: Atlanta’s remaining schedule is brutal. They face the Bills, 49ers, and Cowboys in their final six games. Still, this win changed the narrative. It showed they can execute under pressure. That their defense can rise when needed. That their offense isn’t broken—just dormant.
The Rivalry That Won’t Die
The Falcons and Saints have been divisional foes since 1970. Their rivalry has produced iconic moments: the 2002 “Fumble in the Superdome,” the 2012 “Miracle in Atlanta,” and the 2020 overtime thriller that sent Atlanta to the playoffs. This game won’t be remembered as one of those classics. But it might be remembered as the day Atlanta stopped losing—and New Orleans stopped pretending they were still in it.
What’s Next?
The Falcons return home to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Thanksgiving night to face the Carolina Panthers. A win there would give them their first three-game winning streak since 2022. For the Saints, the only thing left to play for is draft position. With the 2026 NFL Draft looming, they’ll likely start evaluating their future at quarterback, offensive line, and defensive coordinator—positions that all need wholesale overhauls.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Falcons’ defense turn things around so suddenly?
Atlanta’s defense had allowed an average of 28.4 points per game during their five-game skid. Against the Saints, they held New Orleans to just 10 points and forced three turnovers—two interceptions and a fumble. Linebacker Malik Jefferson and safety Jordan Whitehead led the charge, with Jefferson’s 47-yard pick-six shifting momentum. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich shifted to a more aggressive 3-4 scheme, blitzing on 40% of snaps, a stark contrast to their conservative approach earlier in the season.
Why is Kellen Moore under so much pressure?
Moore was hired with high expectations after helping Dallas reach the Super Bowl in 2024. But in New Orleans, he’s struggled to develop young talent and fix a porous offensive line. The Saints rank 31st in offensive yards and 32nd in third-down conversion rate. With only two wins and a roster full of unproven players, fans and media are calling for his job. His postgame admission that the team “doesn’t want to win” was rare—and damning.
Can the Falcons still make the playoffs?
It’s unlikely but not impossible. Atlanta needs to win at least five of their final six games and hope the Buccaneers and Panthers stumble. Even then, they’d likely need a tiebreaker or a wild-card spot. Their path is narrow: beat Carolina and Jacksonville, then steal one from Buffalo or San Francisco. Still, with the NFC’s wild-card race wide open, no one’s officially out yet.
What’s the significance of the Caesars Superdome in this game?
The Caesars Superdome has been the Saints’ home since 1975 and is known for its deafening noise—especially in prime-time games. But on November 23, 2025, the crowd was so quiet that fans could hear the snap counts. It was the first time since 2019 that the Superdome didn’t sell out for a Week 12 game. The silence wasn’t just from disappointment—it was a sign the team’s identity has been lost.
How does this loss affect the Saints’ draft position?
With a 2-9 record, New Orleans now holds the third-worst record in the NFL, behind only the Lions and Browns. That gives them a 14% chance at the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. If they lose their next three games, they’ll likely secure a top-3 selection. Expect them to aggressively pursue a franchise quarterback, with names like Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams already being floated in scouting circles.
Who is Scott Shanle, and why was he on the postgame show?
Scott Shanle is a former Saints linebacker who played for the team from 2004 to 2013 and was a key member of their Super Bowl XLIV championship squad. As a fan favorite and longtime team ambassador, he’s often brought in for postgame analysis to provide historical context and emotional insight. His blunt critique of the current team—“They’re lost”—carries weight because he’s seen the franchise at its best and now its worst.
