The Falcons beat the Saints in a thriller 27-25

New Orleans Saints #12 Kenny Stills (WR) had two catches for 30-yards and one touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons' defense. Photo by Trent Spann.

NEW ORLEANS - NFC South Division rivals Atlanta Falcons (4-4) and the New Orleans Saints (5-3) met up for a thriller in New Orleans. The Falcons kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired to defeat the Saints, 27-25.

The Saints' quarterback Trevor Siemian was making his first start since 2019 as a member of the New York Jets. Siemen through for 249 yards completing 25 of his 41 passes and two touchdowns. The Saints were plagued with drops from their receivers throughout the matchup.

Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan threw for 343 yards completing 23 of 30 passes and two touchdowns. His favorite target was Cordarrelle Patterson, with six receptions for 126 yards.

The Falcons took an early lead in the first quarter 3-0 as their kicker Younghoe Koo converted a 32-yard field goal with 4:26 remaining in the quarter. On the next series by the Saints, nine plays drive would stall and had to punt the ball away.

With six seconds remaining in the first half, the Falcons completed 15 plays, a 92-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown pass from Ryan to Olamide Zaccheaus, followed by the extra point by Koo ending the half with Atlanta leading the Saints, 10-0.

Atlanta Falcons #12 Matt Ryan (QB) is being pressured by New Orleans Saints #94 Cameron Jordan (DE). Photo by Trent Spann.

The Saints would finally get on the board as their kicker Brian Johnson ended 12 plays, a 60-yard drive, with a 35-yard field goal making the score 10-3.

Ryan would then cap off seven plays, an 81-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run giving the Falcons a 17-3 lead to end the third quarter.

Brian Johnson would convert a 52-yard field goal inching the Saints closer, now trail Atlanta 17-6.

Unfortunately, the Saints would allow Zaccheaus to score his second touchdown of the day, and Atlanta now led 24-6, with 10:39 remaining in the fourth quarter.

New Orleans Saints #41 Alvin Kamara (RB) 2-yard touchdown run against the Atlanta Falcons. Photo by Trent Spann.

The Saints would get a spark on offense and scored two touchdowns over the next four minutes, starting with a 5-yard touchdown catch for Marquez Callaway, and a 2-yard run from Alvin Kamara had the Saints down one possession with 4:35 remaining in the game.

With Atlanta leading 24-19, the Saints forced a three-and-out, and Atlanta punted the ball with 2:46 remaining in the game. The Saints would then go five plays and 43 yards ending the drive with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Siemian to Kenny Stills.

After failing to convert on the two-point conversion, New Orleans got their first lead of the game 25-24, with 1:01 left in the game.

With the Falcons trailing by one point, Ryan would connect with Patterson for 64 yards and push out of bounds from behind by the safety Marcus Williams at the Saints' 11-yard line.

On the next play, Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport forced Atlanta to fumble the football, but the Falcons recovered the football.

Davenport said, "In that situation, I forced the fumble, and I should've been the one to fall on it."

Atlanta would then take a knee on two consecutive plays. The Falcons then called out their kicking team with 0:03 remaining in the game.

Koo came into the game and kicked a 29-yard field goal as time expires to defeat the New Orleans Saints, 27-25. Next week the Saints are on the road visiting the Tennessee Titans (7-2).