NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Saints capped off their regular season with a dominant 48-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, but both teams missed the playoffs following Tampa Bay’s win over Carolina. The Saints’ final touchdown, a 1-yard run by Jamaal Williams in the closing moments, sparked controversy and upset Falcons coach Arthur Smith, leading to his later dismissal.
Derek Carr led the Saints’ offense with four touchdown passes, helping lift the team to a franchise record-tying 12th win. However, standout rookie tight end Sam LaPorta suffered a knee injury, casting a shadow over the victory. The Saints (9-8) finished with a winning record but fell short of postseason qualification after Green Bay’s win over Chicago later in the day.
Atlanta’s loss to New Orleans, combined with Tampa Bay’s victory, ruled out any chance of an NFC South title for either team. Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder, starting for the injured Taylor Heinicke, threw for 291 yards but committed two turnovers that led to Saints touchdowns. The Falcons (7-10) ended their season with Smith’s firing after his third straight 7-10 season.
The Saints’ late-game play call, which deviated from the usual approach of running out the clock, resulted in a tense postgame exchange between the coaches. Saints coach Dennis Allen expressed his disapproval of the decision, which was made independently by players on the field.
New Orleans’ offense showed improvement in the latter part of the season, raising hopes for future success. However, the team now faces an offseason of reflection and planning to return to playoff contention.
For Atlanta, the offseason brings significant changes, with the team moving on from Smith and looking to rebuild after another disappointing campaign. The Falcons will focus on addressing their weaknesses and preparing for the next season under new leadership.
