Atlanta scores on six straight drives spanning three quarters to pull away in Domecoming
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, middle, runs against the New Orleans Saints...
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, middle, runs against the New Orleans Saints during the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Ella Hall)
NEW ORLEANS, La. (WLBT) - Bijan Robinson and Brian Robinson Jr. combined for five rushing touchdowns, and the Atlanta Falcons scored on six consecutive possessions to beat the New Orleans Saints 45-24 on Monday night at the Caesars Superdome.
Tyler Shough threw for 286 yards and a touchdown for the Saints, but New Orleans trailed by as many as 17 points in the first half and could not cut the deficit for long against an Atlanta ground game that piled up 205 yards and five rushing touchdowns.
Falcons jump out early, Saints search for answers
Atlanta needed just three plays to find the end zone on the game’s opening drive, as Bijan Robinson broke free for a 59-yard touchdown run on his first carry, and New Orleans’ defense couldn’t get the Falcons off the field from there. Robinson scored again on a 4-yard run before the first quarter ended, putting the Saints in a 14-0 hole before their offense found a rhythm.
New Orleans finally got on the board in the second quarter, with Alvin Kamara capping a quick three-play, 54-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run to trim the deficit to 14-7.
It was the Saints’ best answer of the half, but Atlanta responded with a 10-play, 65-yard drive finished off by a 4-yard touchdown run from Brian Robinson Jr., and Nick Folk added a 29-yard field goal to close out the first half, sending New Orleans to the locker room down 24-7.
Saints defense can’t find a stop in the third
Daniel Carlson’s 27-yard field goal early in the third quarter pulled New Orleans within 24-10, but the Saints defense surrendered another long touchdown drive, allowing Atlanta to go 74 yards in nine plays and finish with Brian Robinson Jr.’s second touchdown run of the night, an 8-yarder that made it 31-10 entering the fourth quarter.
Late push not enough for New Orleans
Kamara scored his second touchdown of the night on a 5-yard run, capping a 13-play, 68-yard drive to cut the deficit to 31-17 and give the Saints a glimmer of hope in the fourth quarter.
Atlanta answered right back though, as Michael Penix Jr. found Jahan Dotson for a 31-yard touchdown pass to push the lead to 38-17, and Brian Robinson Jr. capped his three-touchdown night with an 11-yard scoring run to make it 45-17.
New Orleans tacked on a final score, as Shough capped a 13-play, 76-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Devaughn Vele to make the final 45-24.
Shough finished 30-of-48 passing for 286 yards and a touchdown. Chris Olave led all New Orleans receivers with eight catches for 116 yards, while Vele added six receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown. Kamara led the Saints’ ground game with two touchdowns on seven carries for 23 yards.
Julian Blackmon led the New Orleans defense with 10 tackles, and Tyree Wilson recorded a sack and a tackle for loss.
By the numbers
Passing:
Tyler Shough: 30-of-48, 286 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT (Sacked 2 times for 16 yards lost)
Rushing:
Alvin Kamara: 7 carries, 23 yards, 2 TD
CJ Donaldson: 3 carries, 18 yards
Kendre Miller: 6 carries, 9 yards (1 fumble lost)
Tyler Shough: 2 carries, 5 yards
Receiving:
Chris Olave: 8 catches, 116 yards
Juwan Johnson: 6 catches, 59 yards
Devaughn Vele: 6 catches, 54 yards, 1 TD
Alvin Kamara: 5 catches, 35 yards
Defense:
Julian Blackmon: 10 tackles
Tyree Wilson: 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL
Jonas Sanker: 6 tackles
Danny Stutsman: 5 tackles
Kicking:
Daniel Carlson: 1-of-2 field goals, 3-of-3 extra points
Team Stats: 320 total yards, 22 first downs, 1 turnover, 6 of 15 on third downs, 3 of 4 on fourth downs, 29:15 time of possession
Up next
New Orleans (1-3) stays home to host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Oct. 11, at the Caesars Superdome. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. CT.
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