The Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints met twice during the 2025 NFL regular season in one of the NFC South’s most fiercely contested rivalries. Whether you are searching for Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints match player stats today, a full game log, or a season-wide comparison, this article covers every meaningful number from both matchups. Read on for scores, quarterback performances, rushing totals, defensive highlights, and key turning points that defined this rivalry in 2025.
Quick Reference: Saints vs Falcons 2025 Season Results
| Game | Date | Location | Score | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 12 | November 23, 2025 | Caesars Superdome, New Orleans | NO 10 – ATL 24 | Atlanta Falcons |
| Week 18 | January 4, 2026 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta | ATL 19 – NO 17 | Atlanta Falcons |
The Falcons swept both meetings in the 2025 season, winning the NFC South head-to-head matchup against New Orleans and entering the postseason with momentum.
Game 1: Falcons vs Saints – Week 12 (November 23, 2025)
Final Score: New Orleans Saints 10 – Atlanta Falcons 24
| Quarter | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Falcons | 3 | 13 | 0 | 8 | 24 |
| New Orleans Saints | 0 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 10 |
Team Statistics – Week 12
| Statistic | Atlanta Falcons | New Orleans Saints |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 302 | 293 |
| Passing Yards | 199 | 243 |
| Rushing Yards | 121 | 79 |
| Total Plays | 55 | 78 |
| First Downs | 13 | 21 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Sacks Taken | 3 | 5 |
| Penalties / Yards | 9 / 82 yds | 4 / 36 yds |
| Time of Possession | 27:09 | 32:51 |
| Passing Touchdowns | 2 | 0 |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 0 | 0 |
| Return Touchdowns | 0 | 1 |
| Field Goals Made/Att | 3/3 (100%) | 1/3 (33%) |
| Passer Rating | 107.0 | 70.9 |
Scoring Plays – Week 12
- Q1 10:47 – Younghoe Koo (ATL) 56-yard field goal. ATL 3 – NO 0
- Q2 11:35 – Kirk Cousins (ATL) pass to David Sills for 9-yard TD. ATL 10 – NO 0
- Q2 6:53 – Kirk Cousins (ATL) intercepted by J. Reid, returned 49 yards for a Saints TD. ATL 10 – NO 7
- Q2 2:00 – Younghoe Koo (ATL) 41-yard field goal. ATL 13 – NO 7
- Q2 0:04 – Younghoe Koo (ATL) 54-yard field goal. ATL 16 – NO 7
- Q4 12:17 – Saints field goal (33 yards). ATL 16 – NO 10
- Q4 11:12 – Kirk Cousins (ATL) 49-yard TD pass to Demarcus Robinson. ATL 22 – NO 10
- Q4 11:04 – Two-point conversion successful. ATL 24 – NO 10 (Final)
Key Passing Stats – Week 12
| Quarterback | Team | Completions/Att | Comp% | Yards | TDs | INTs | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirk Cousins | ATL | 16/23 | 69.6% | 199 | 2 | 1 | 107.0 |
| Saints QB | NO | 30/45 | 66.7% | 243 | 0 | 1 | 70.9 |
Key Rushing Stats – Week 12
| Team | Carries | Yards | Avg | TDs | Longest Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Falcons | 29 | 121 | 4.2 | 0 | 32 yds |
| New Orleans Saints | 28 | 79 | 2.8 | 0 | 11 yds |
Key Receiving Stats – Week 12
| Team | Targets | Receptions | Yards | TDs | Longest Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Falcons | 20 | 16 | 199 | 2 | 49 yds (D. Robinson TD) |
| New Orleans Saints | 43 | 30 | 243 | 0 | 18 yds |
Defensive Stats – Week 12
| Statistic | Atlanta Falcons DEF | New Orleans Saints DEF |
|---|---|---|
| Total Tackles | 53 | 32 |
| Sacks | 5.0 (29 yds) | 3.0 (18 yds) |
| Interceptions | 1 | 1 |
| Tackles for Loss | 6 (34 yds) | 6 (16 yds) |
| QB Hits | 9 | 2 |
| Passes Defended | 6 | 4 |
| Forced Fumbles | 0 | 1 |
| Fourth Down Stops | 3 | 0 |
Atlanta’s defense was particularly effective in the red zone, recording three fourth-down stops in Week 12. The Falcons’ pass rush generated five sacks and put constant pressure on the Saints quarterback all afternoon.
Game 2: Falcons vs Saints – Week 18 (January 4, 2026)
Final Score: Atlanta Falcons 19 – New Orleans Saints 17
| Quarter | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Falcons | 7 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 19 |
| New Orleans Saints | 0 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 17 |
Team Statistics – Week 18
| Statistic | Atlanta Falcons | New Orleans Saints |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 208 | 340 |
| Passing Yards | 180 | 259 |
| Rushing Yards | 49 | 108 |
| Total Plays | 61 | 65 |
| Statistic | Atlanta Falcons | New Orleans Saints |
|---|---|---|
| First Downs | 14 | 16 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Sacks Taken | 4 | 4 |
| Penalties / Yards | 5 / 42 yds | 6 / 40 yds |
| Time of Possession | 28:41 | 31:19 |
| Passing Touchdowns | 1 | 1 |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 0 | 1 |
| Field Goals Made/Att | 4/4 (100%) | 1/2 (50%) |
| Passer Rating (QB) | 69.8 | 85.3 |
| Avg Yards Per Play | 3.4 | 5.2 |
Scoring Plays – Week 18
- Q1 3:09 – Kirk Cousins (ATL) 15-yard TD pass to Drake London. ATL 7 – NO 0
- Q2 10:23 – Younghoe Koo (ATL) 40-yard field goal. ATL 10 – NO 0
- Q2 4:38 – Tyler Shough (NO) 1-yard rushing TD. ATL 10 – NO 6
- Q3 8:55 – Younghoe Koo (ATL) 51-yard field goal. ATL 13 – NO 7
- Q3 2:19 – Saints field goal (29 yards). ATL 13 – NO 10
- Q4 10:47 – Younghoe Koo (ATL) 38-yard field goal. ATL 16 – NO 10
- Q4 2:57 – Younghoe Koo (ATL) 38-yard field goal. ATL 19 – NO 10
- Q4 1:16 – Tyler Shough (NO) 16-yard TD pass to R. Bell. ATL 19 – NO 17 (Final)
Key Passing Stats – Week 18
| Quarterback | Team | Completions/Att | Comp% | Yards | TDs | INTs | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirk Cousins | ATL | 18/32 | 56.3% | 180 | 1 | 1 | 69.8 |
| Tyler Shough | NO | 23/35 | 65.7% | 259 | 1 | 1 | 85.3 |
Key Rushing Stats – Week 18
| Team | Carries | Yards | Avg | TDs | Longest Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Falcons | 25 | 49 | 2.0 | 0 | 12 yds |
| New Orleans Saints | 26 | 108 | 4.2 | 1 | 29 yds |
Key Receiving Stats – Week 18
| Team | Targets | Receptions | Yards | TDs | Longest Catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Falcons | 30 | 18 | 180 | 1 | 37 yds |
| New Orleans Saints | 34 | 23 | 259 | 1 | 28 yds |
Special Teams – Week 18
| Statistic | Atlanta Falcons | New Orleans Saints |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals Made/Att | 4/4 (100%) | 1/2 (50%) |
| Longest Field Goal | 51 yards (Koo) | 29 yards |
| Punts / Avg Yards | 4 / 57.25 gross | 5 / 40.6 gross |
| Punt Inside 20 | 2 | 1 |
| Blocked Punts Allowed | 0 | 1 |
| Kick Return Avg | 24.3 yds | 26.0 yds |
Younghoe Koo was the decisive factor in Week 18, converting all four field goal attempts including a pressure 51-yarder in the third quarter. The Saints missed a 50-plus-yard attempt late in the game that would have changed the outcome.
Defensive Stats – Week 18
| Statistic | Atlanta Falcons DEF | New Orleans Saints DEF |
|---|---|---|
| Total Tackles | 29 | 30 |
| Sacks | 4.0 (27 yds) | 4.0 (21 yds) |
| Interceptions | 1 (59-yd return) | 1 |
| Tackles for Loss | 6 (29 yds) | 9 (34 yds) |
| QB Hits | 4 | 9 |
| Passes Defended | 8 | 8 |
| Three-and-Outs Forced | 3 | 2 |
Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints: Full Season Head-to-Head Comparison
| Statistic (Season Combined) | Atlanta Falcons | New Orleans Saints |
|---|---|---|
| Record vs Each Other (2025) | 2-0 | 0-2 |
| Total Points Scored | 43 | 27 |
| Total Yards (Both Games) | 510 | 633 |
| Total Passing Yards | 379 | 502 |
| Total Rushing Yards | 170 | 187 |
| Total TDs Scored | 3 pass + 0 rush | 1 pass + 1 rush + 1 return |
| Total Turnovers Committed | 2 | 4 |
| Total Sacks Allowed | 7 | 9 |
| FG Made/Att (Combined) | 7/7 (100%) | 2/5 (40%) |
| Avg Points Per Game | 21.5 | 13.5 |
Key Player Performances Across Both Games
Atlanta Falcons Standouts
- Kirk Cousins (QB): 34-of-55 passing (61.8%), 379 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs across both games. Cousins managed games effectively and delivered when it counted most, including a 49-yard scoring strike in Week 12.
- Younghoe Koo (K): 7-for-7 on field goals across both matchups, including kicks from 56, 54, 51, 41, 40, 38, and 38 yards. Koo was arguably Atlanta’s most valuable weapon in these two games.
- Demarcus Robinson (WR): Caught a crucial 49-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of Week 12 that sealed the victory.
- Drake London (WR): Scored the opening touchdown in Week 18 on a 15-yard catch to set the tone early.
- David Sills (WR): Hauled in a 9-yard touchdown in Week 12, adding to Atlanta’s multi-receiver attack.
- ATL Pass Rush: Combined 9 sacks across both games, consistently disrupting the Saints’ quarterback rhythm.
New Orleans Saints Standouts
- Tyler Shough (QB – Week 18): Completed 23-of-35 passes for 259 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT with a passer rating of 85.3. Also scored a rushing touchdown and led a late comeback drive.
- R. Bell (WR): Caught a 16-yard touchdown pass with just over a minute remaining in Week 18 to cut the deficit to 19-17, sparking a frantic final possession.
- J. Reid (CB): Intercepted Kirk Cousins and returned it 49 yards for a touchdown in Week 12, keeping the Saints competitive in the first half.
- NO Receiving Core (Week 18): Hauled in 23 catches for 259 yards, outgaining Atlanta through the air despite the loss.
- NO Rush Attack (Week 18): Generated 108 rushing yards at 4.2 yards per carry, outrushing the Falcons on the ground.
Falcons vs Saints 2026: Next Matchup
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Game | Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints |
| Date | Monday, October 5, 2026 |
| Broadcast | Monday Night Football |
| Location | Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA |
| Time | 8:15 PM ET / 5:15 AM PKT |
| Series Context | Saints look to even the 2025 sweep in the first 2026 meeting |
The Saints will be eager to avenge both losses from the 2025 season when the two rivals meet on Monday Night Football in October 2026. New Orleans needs improvement on third downs and field goal consistency to reverse the series trend.
Falcons vs Saints Rivalry: Historical Context
The Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints have shared one of the most competitive rivalries in the NFC South since the Saints joined the division in 2002. Both teams have swapped division titles and postseason runs throughout the years, and every head-to-head matchup carries significant playoff seeding implications.
- The 2025 season sweep by Atlanta moved the Falcons firmly ahead in the season series and helped secure their NFC South positioning.
- The rivalry features deep regional passion, with both fan bases among the most vocal in the NFC.
- Kicker reliability has repeatedly been a deciding factor in close games between these two teams, as demonstrated by Younghoe Koo’s perfect accuracy in 2025.
- The Saints have historically been stronger at the Superdome in this rivalry but could not hold home-field advantage in Week 12 of 2025.
Why the Falcons Won Both Games: Analysis
Atlanta’s two victories over New Orleans in 2025 came down to three consistent advantages:
1. Special Teams Excellence: Younghoe Koo finished 7-for-7 across both games. The Saints went 2-for-5. In two games decided by a combined nine points, kicking accuracy was decisive.
2. Red Zone Defense: New Orleans totaled 293 and 340 yards in the two games but converted only three touchdowns in eight quarters. Atlanta’s defense bent but rarely broke inside the 20-yard line, recording three fourth-down stops in Week 12 alone.
3. Turnover Margin: Atlanta committed two turnovers total across both games. New Orleans committed four. In the NFL, turnover margin is one of the strongest predictors of game outcome, and the Falcons won that battle convincingly.
4. Clutch Quarterbacking: Despite uneven stat lines, Kirk Cousins delivered touchdowns at critical moments, particularly the 49-yard strike in Week 12 that put the game away.
What the Saints Must Fix for Falcons vs Saints 2026
- Field Goal Consistency: Converting only 40% of field goal attempts across these two games is not sustainable. A reliable kicker is essential for division games decided by single scores.
- Red Zone Finishing: New Orleans out-gained Atlanta in Week 18 but scored only 17 points. Better red zone execution would have changed the result.
- Turnover Reduction: Four turnovers in two games gifted Atlanta points and momentum. Ball security must improve heading into 2026.
- Pass Rush Consistency: While the Saints did generate nine sacks total, the inability to consistently disrupt Kirk Cousins at key moments allowed Atlanta to execute late-game scoring drives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the final score of Falcons vs Saints in Week 18?
The Atlanta Falcons defeated the New Orleans Saints 19-17 on January 4, 2026 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Q: Who won the Saints vs Falcons matchup in Week 12?
The Atlanta Falcons won 24-10 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on November 23, 2025.
Q: Who was the top kicker in the Falcons vs Saints 2025 games?
Younghoe Koo of the Atlanta Falcons went 7-for-7 across both matchups, making him the most accurate kicker in the series.
Q: When is the next Falcons vs Saints 2026 game?
The Falcons travel to New Orleans to face the Saints on Monday Night Football on October 5, 2026 at 8:15 PM ET.
Q: How did Kirk Cousins perform in the two Saints vs Falcons games?
Kirk Cousins completed 34 of 55 passes for 379 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions across both games, delivering key scoring drives in each contest.
Q: Did New Orleans Saints win any game against Atlanta in 2025?
No. The Atlanta Falcons swept both regular-season meetings against the New Orleans Saints in the 2025 NFL season.
Final Thoughts
Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints match player stats clearly show that Atlanta controlled the rivalry in the 2025 NFL season. The Falcons won both meetings by using strong defense, better kicking accuracy, and key offensive plays at the right moments. Younghoe Koo’s perfect field goal record and Kirk Cousins’ clutch touchdowns made a major difference, while New Orleans struggled with turnovers and red zone finishing. Overall, the Falcons proved more consistent across both games, making this season sweep an important statement in the NFC South rivalry.
You May Also Like It:
