Self-inflicted wounds ultimately doomed the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
A muffed punt in the first quarter and an interception returned for a touchdown were the difference as the Atlanta Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints 26-24 in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday. Atlanta kicker Younghoe Koo booted a 59-yard field goal with two seconds remaining in the game to lift Atlanta to victory.
Taysom Hill sparked the Saints’ offense in the first half, scoring two rushing touchdowns before he left the game with an injury. After Hill left, the Saints offense sputtered, though Alvin Kamara scored a touchdown in the final two minutes to give the Saints a late lead.
Atlanta’s defense and special teams units accounted for 14 of the Falcons’ points. Atlanta opened the scoring immediately after their first possession ended when they recovered a punt muffed by Saints return man Rashid Shaheed in the end zone. In the second quarter, linebacker Troy Anderson intercepted a batted Derek Carr pass and returned it for a touchdown.
Atlanta (2-2) hosts Tampa Bay (3-1) on Thursday night. New Orleans (2-2) travels to play Kansas City next Monday night.