Falcons vs. Saints – NFL Game Recap (November 23, 2025)

The Atlanta Falcons walked into the Superdome burdened by a five-game losing streak, but veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins delivered a timely reminder of why he’s been one of the league’s most reliable passers for more than a decade. Back in the starting role due to Michael Penix Jr.’s season-ending injury, the 37-year-old guided Atlanta to a much-needed 24–10 victory over the struggling New Orleans Saints.

Cousins Leads with Experience

Cousins looked sharp and composed throughout the afternoon, completing 16 of 23 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns. His most electric moment came in the fourth quarter: a 49-yard strike down the middle to former Tulane standout Darnell Mooney, stretching the Falcons’ lead to 24–10. Cousins later said the play hinged on understanding Mooney’s deep-threat ability, describing the receiver as someone who “gets even, then he’s leaving.”

Earlier in the game, Cousins connected with David Sills for a 9-yard score — the first touchdown of Sills’ career. The journeyman receiver, who has spent much of his career on practice squads, emphasized how steady Cousins’ presence has been, noting that with the veteran quarterback, “we know what we're going to get.”

Saints’ Offense Struggles to Finish

New Orleans’ offense moved the ball at times but consistently stalled in the red zone. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, in his third start and first inside the Superdome, completed 30 of 43 passes for 243 yards. Although he avoided turnovers until the final play, he was hit often and sacked five times.

A botched play fake in the first quarter — which Shough called a “fluke deal” — set up Atlanta’s opening field goal. The Saints then missed two more scoring chances in the first half when kicker Blake Grupe pushed field-goal attempts from 38 and 47 yards.

The Saints’ only touchdown of the day didn’t come from their offense. Safety Justin Reid jumped on a tipped Cousins pass and returned it 49 yards, briefly bringing the Saints within three points in the second quarter.

Inside the red zone, New Orleans continued to unravel. A failed fourth-and-goal attempt in the third quarter, followed by a high snap to Taysom Hill on the 5-yard line in the fourth, forced the Saints to settle for just a field goal. Hill called the sequence “a disappointing play” in a game where he felt the team had opportunities they simply “didn’t capitalize on.”

Falcons Take Control on the Ground

Atlanta balanced its offense by leaning on the run game. Bijan Robinson led the way with 70 rushing yards and added 37 receiving yards on two catches. Coach Raheem Morris noted how establishing the run — even when early attempts looked “ugly” — helped open passing lanes later in the game.

Mooney finished with 74 receiving yards, all on crucial plays, while the Falcons’ defense allowed only three points and produced five sacks. Xavier Watts, who briefly exited after a hard hit near the goal line, returned to seal the game with a late interception.

Injuries and Looking Ahead

For New Orleans, the toughest moment came when star running back Alvin Kamara exited with a knee injury after being pulled down awkwardly. Without him, the Saints struggled to find rhythm in both the run and pass game.

Atlanta, now 4–7, heads to face the New York Jets next week, while New Orleans (2–9) will travel to take on the Miami Dolphins.

Conclusion

This Falcons–Saints matchup was more than a divisional game — it was a story of resilience, missed chances, and a veteran quarterback refusing to let a season slip away without a fight. Kirk Cousins reminded the league that experience still matters, while the Falcons’ defense and special teams backed him up with one of their most complete performances of the year.

For the Saints, it was another afternoon of what-ifs: missed field goals, stalled drives, and key injuries overshadowing flashes of promise from rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. Both teams now face crucial late-season crossroads, but this game may be remembered as the moment Atlanta rediscovered its identity — and perhaps its belief.

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