Atlanta Falcons (2-2) – New Orleans Saints (2-2): 26-24
Kickers count too! And the Falcons can count on one of the most reliable in the league with Younghoe Koo (4/4).
From 58 yards with 5 seconds remaining, the kicker scored a cool-headed kick to give his team the victory (26-24). A victory that could have escaped the locals. Long ahead in the score, Atlanta saw the Saints take the lead 1 minute from the end on a touchdown from Alvin Kamara (19 races, 77 yards, 1TD – 7 rec, 42 yards).
But it was 1 minute too long for an Atlanta team, which helped by a Saints penalty, quickly found itself in a position to believe in the winning field goal.
New Orleans shoots itself in the foot
Funny first half for the Saints. On the one hand, and despite a revamped offensive line, the attack seems to have regained momentum.
Indeed, twice, the Saints managed to advance effectively on the ground and the pass. In these two series, it was Taysom Hill who ended each time with a touchdown. The Swiss army knife of New Orleans managed two victorious runs to score these touchdowns.
Except that visitors also make costly mistakes. First, there is this ball released on a punt by Rashid Shaheed (8 rec, 83 yards) and the Falcons return for a touchdown.
Then, it was Derek Carr (28/36, 239 yards, 1INT) who was intercepted in the second quarter. A terrible loss of the ball since Troy Anderson manages to go back 43 yards to score the touchdown. At this point in the match, the locals got back in front, leading 17 to 14. A score they held until half-time.
With 17 points on the clock at halftime, including 14 from caused ball losses, Atlanta can smile. Because Kirk Cousins' team (21/35, 238 yards, 1INT) did not offer much more in attack.
For the Saints the regrets are necessarily enormous.
Younghoe Koo superstar
As in the first half, the Falcons advance but often block in the final moments. But the locals can rely on Koo (a theme of the evening) who scores field goals on the first two series of the locals (23-17) between a kick from the Saints.
The Saints must pass the second to win. And that's exactly what they think they're doing in the 4th quarter when they reach the opponent's last 10 yards. Except that Derek Carr stumbles, and his last attempt for Shaheed is perfectly defended.
With 4 minutes to “kill” and the ball in his hands, Cousins has a first opportunity to finish the match. But the attack offers no better than a 3rd and out.
It is therefore new ammunition for the rivals of New Orleans and this time the Saints finally conclude. Placed in front of the goal line thanks to a reception from Chris Olave, the attack finds the fault 1 minute from the end! After 2 strange attempts on the ground by Carr, the 3rd is for Alvin Kamara who enters forcefully from the end zone (23-24).
Visitors walk past and think they have done the hardest part. Except that they will see Koo play a bad move on them in the last seconds of the match.
The race for the playoffs in the NFC South is completely relaunched.
