The Atlanta Falcons spoiled New Orleans' party in spectacular fashion Monday night, demolishing the Saints 45-24 at the Caesars Superdome and ruining the franchise's 20th-anniversary "Domecoming" celebration of the 2006 post-Katrina Superdome reopening.
Atlanta's ground game was devastating. Bijan Robinson carried 19 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns — including a 59-yard score on the game's third play — while Brian Robinson Jr. added 14 carries for 62 yards and three touchdowns. The Falcons rushed for 205 yards and tied a franchise record set in 1973 with five rushing touchdowns. Michael Penix Jr., in his second game back from a 2025 knee injury, was efficient at 15-of-20 for 223 yards and a touchdown, a 31-yarder to Jahan Dotson.
The win moved Atlanta to 2-2, tied with Carolina atop the NFC South, while New Orleans fell to 1-3. Quarterback Tyler Shough (30-of-48, 286 yards, one touchdown) called the loss "embarrassing" and "extremely disappointing." Alvin Kamara scored his first two touchdowns of the season on 3- and 5-yard runs, and Chris Olave caught 8 passes for 116 yards before a late knee scare, though the Saints were missing linebacker Kaden Elliss and edge rusher Carl Granderson.
The 45 points were the most the Falcons have scored in New Orleans in decades — a statement win in one of the NFL's fiercest rivalries, on a night the Superdome was supposed to be celebrating its own history.
