NFL Week 18 Game Recap: New Orleans Saints 48, Atlanta Falcons 17

The New Orleans Saints took down the Atlanta Falcons 48 17 at home on Sunday afternoon. The Falcons opened the scoring with Desmond Ridder finding tight end Jonnu Smith for a 15 yard touchdown, but the Saints answered on a drive that culminated in an 18 yard touchdown pass from Derek Carr to A.T. Perry .

Atlanta bounced straight back into the lead on the second play of their next drive though. Rookie Bijan Robinson takes a short pass from Ridder 71 yards for a touchdown. The Saints answered back with their own rookie running back Kendre Miller scoring on a three yard run. The Saints took the lead late in the first half due to Blake Grupe connecting on a 24 yard field goal to put them up 17 14 before Younghoe Koo hit a 30 yard field goal to make it 17 17 at the half.

A Desmond Ridder interception early in the third quarter allowed the Saints to take the lead again. Chris Olave pulled in a 26 yard touchdown before Derek Carr would find Rashid Shaheed for a 39 yard touchdown to make it 31 17. A Grupe 24 yard field goal made it 34 17 before Carr found A.T. Perry for another touchdown from six yards out.

A one yard rushing touchdown from Jamaal Williams rounded out the scoring. Offensive spotlight: The Saints came into the day knowing that they needed a win to have any chance of making the postseason, and quarterback Derek Carr did his best to get them there. He went 22 for 28 for 264 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions, the third time in four games that he has thrown three touchdowns.

Defensive spotlight: Saints linebacker Demario Davis capped off an impressive 2023 season with another solid performance in the win Sunday. He finished the game with nine total tackles, five of which were solo tackles, and a pair of tackles for loss. Rookie spotlight: Bijan Robinson ’s rookie season came to an end with a disappointing performance as a runner but a career best day as a receiver.

He averaged 2.5 yards per carry, rushing 11 times for 28 yards, but picked up 103 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions..