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Falcons vs. Saints Game Recap - Week 18 - Jan. 4, 2026

Falcons vs. Saints Game Recap - NFL Week 18 - Jan. 4, 2026

WEEK 18 • SUN 01/04 • FINAL
17
19

New Orleans Saints 6-11

Atlanta Falcons 8-9

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Game Recap: Atlanta Falcons 19, New Orleans Saints 17 | 2025 NFL Week 18

Despite an outstanding effort from the defense and a stirring comeback from the offense, the New Orleans Saints fell to the Atlanta Falcons 19-17 in the season finale on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Saints ended their first season under Coach Kellen Moore with a 6-11 record.

The Saints' loss gave the Carolina Panthers (8-9) the NFC South title, ending Tampa's long run atop the division.

Quarterback Tyler Shough, playing without almost all of the team's starting skill players, was 23 of 35 for 259 yards. He scored on a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and threw an amazing 16-yard touchdown pass to Ronnie Bell with 1:11 to play to set up an onside kick, which Atlanta recovered. The one downside to Shough's performance, he threw an interception with 3:14 to play while in scoring range, setting up Atlanta's final field goal. Kevin Austin was the team's top receiver with four catches for 37 yards while tight end Juwan Johnson had three catches for 61 yards.

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The New Orleans defense played an outstanding game, containing star running back Bijan Robinson and harassed quarterback Kirk Cousins for most of the game. Veteran defensive end Cameron Jordan recorded his 10.5 sack of the season, ends Chase Young and Carl Granderson shared a sack in the first half and they both added one in the fourth quarter. Granderson also made an exceptional diving interception in the first quarter. Jordan now has seven seasons with 10 or more sacks, the most in franchise history. Young ended the season with 10 sacks.

Saints left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. left in the second quarter with an injury and did not return. Taysom Hill left the game in the second half.

The Saints will have the No. 8 pick in the first round of the 2026 draft.

Check out the game action photos from the New Orleans Saints game against the Atlanta Falcons for Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season on Jan. 4, 2026 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

SCHEDULE

Table - Summary
WEEK DATE GAME TIME
15 12/14
vs Carolina Panthers
3:25 PM CST
16 12/21
vs New York Jets
12:00 PM CST
17 12/28
@ Tennessee Titans
12:00 PM CST
18 01/04
@ Atlanta Falcons
12:00 PM CST
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Box Score

  • New Orleans Saints
  • Atlanta Falcons
  • Passing

    Player CP/ATT YDS TD INT
    23/35 259 1 1

    Rushing

    Player ATT YDS LNG TD
    21 63 9 0
    3 34 29 1
    2 11 8 0

    Receiving

    Player REC YDS LNG TD
    3 61 28 0
    5 60 26 0
    5 43 19 0
    4 37 15 0
    3 32 13 0
    2 23 16 1
    1 3 3 0
  • Passing

    Player CP/ATT YDS TD INT
    K. Cousins
    18/32 180 1 1

    Rushing

    Player ATT YDS LNG TD
    B. Robinson
    15 33 12 0
    T. Allgeier
    7 16 5 0
    K. Cousins
    3 0 2 0

    Receiving

    Player REC YDS LNG TD
    D. London
    4 78 37 1
    K. Pitts
    6 58 15 0
    D. Mooney
    3 20 10 0
    D. Sills
    1 11 11 0
    B. Robinson
    3 10 12 0
    T. Allgeier
    1 3 3 0
Team Statistics
New Orleans Saints NO Atlanta Falcons ATL
340 Total Net Yards 208
6 Total Penalties 5
40 Penalty Yards 42
00:31:19 Time of Possession 00:28:41
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