The Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints match player stats told the story of a tightly contested NFC South battle that ended in a 19-17 Falcons victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The game kicked off at 10:00 PM on January 4, 2026, in front of 69,512 fans in Atlanta, with both teams looking to close their seasons on a positive note.
Despite being outgained in total yardage, the Falcons relied on timely defense and flawless kicking to edge their division rivals.
Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints match player stats: Quarterback comparison
Tyler Shough led the Saints with 259 passing yards on 23-of-35 attempts, throwing one touchdown and one interception.
Kirk Cousins completed 18 of 32 passes for 180 yards, one touchdown, and one interception for Atlanta.
Shough averaged 7.4 yards per attempt compared to Cousins’ 5.6 mark.
Both quarterbacks were sacked four times, with New Orleans losing 27 yards and Atlanta 21.
| Quarterback | C/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | Sacks-Yds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler Shough (NO) | 23/35 | 259 | 1 | 1 | 4-27 |
| Kirk Cousins (ATL) | 18/32 | 180 | 1 | 1 | 4-21 |
• Shough led in yardage and efficiency.
• Cousins managed the game but faced heavy pressure.
• Both teams recorded one interception.
Ground game struggles and key contributors
Audric Estime powered the Saints’ rushing attack with 63 yards on 21 carries.
Shough added a 29-yard touchdown run as part of his 34 rushing yards.
Atlanta’s rushing game stalled, with Bijan Robinson limited to 33 yards on 15 attempts.
The Falcons averaged just 2.0 yards per carry as a team compared to the Saints’ 4.2.
| Team | Rush Attempts | Rush Yards | Yards per Rush | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saints | 26 | 108 | 4.2 | 1 |
| Falcons | 25 | 49 | 2.0 | 0 |
• Saints controlled the ground attack.
• Falcons struggled to generate explosive runs.
• Shough’s mobility proved critical.
Receiving leaders and defensive impact
Juwan Johnson led New Orleans receivers with 61 yards on three catches.
Drake London paced Atlanta with 78 yards and a touchdown on four receptions.
Carl Granderson recorded 1.5 sacks and 10 total tackles for the Saints.
James Pearce Jr. delivered two sacks for the Falcons.
Dee Alford’s 59-yard interception return swung momentum late in the contest.
| Receiving Leader | REC | YDS | TD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Juwan Johnson (NO) | 3 | 61 | 0 |
| Drake London (ATL) | 4 | 78 | 1 |
• London provided Atlanta’s biggest offensive spark.
• Granderson anchored the Saints’ defensive front.
• Alford’s interception was a turning point.
Team stats and game timeline
New Orleans outgained Atlanta 340 to 208 in total yards.
The Saints held the ball for 31:19 compared to the Falcons’ 28:41.
However, Zane Gonzalez converted all four field goal attempts, including a long of 51 yards.
| Quarter | NO | ATL |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 7 |
| 2 | 7 | 3 |
| 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 4 | 7 | 6 |
| Final | 17 | 19 |
• Falcons capitalized on scoring opportunities.
• Saints struggled in the red zone.
• Special teams execution decided the outcome.