The 6-10 New Orleans Saints will travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium this Sunday for the final game of the 2025 NFL season as they take on the 7-9 Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta, currently on a three-game win streak, enters this weekend following a big 27-24 upset over the Los Angeles Rams. New Orleans defeated the Tennessee Titans in week 17 by a final score of 34-26, marking their fourth consecutive victory.
With just one week of regular-season games remaining, the Falcons currently have the 13th-ranked offense
in the NFL. They are averaging over 340 yards while scoring nearly 21 points per game. On the other side of the line, New Orleans has the ninth-ranked defense in the league. The Saints allow averages of 305.5 yards and 22.8 points to opposing offenses.
Last time the two teams met, New Orleans suffered a 24-10 defeat at home in week 12’s contest versus Atlanta.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins burned the Saints for 199 yards and two touchdown passes. Wide receivers Darnell Mooney and David Sills V were on the receiving end of Cousins’ TDs, and Mooney led his team in yardage with 74.
Running back Bijan Robinson gashed New Orleans’ defense for 70 rushing yards on 14 carries, including a 32-yard outburst in the second quarter. His partner in crime, Tyler Allgeier, rushed for another 44 yards on 12 totes.
Although the Falcons eventually came out on top, New Orleans’s defense gave their team a fighting chance in the first half. The Saints only managed to put up ten total points in the game, but none came by way of the then-struggling offense.
Instead, New Orleans’ safety Justin Reid managed to pick off a pass near midfield from Cousins that was intended for tight end Kyle Pitts and went the distance for a pick-six that drew the Saints to within a one-score deficit.
Linebacker Demario Davis led the Saints in tackles with 11 during the previous meeting. Rookie Jonas Sanker and Reid followed with seven tackles apiece.
New Orleans finished with three sacks on Cousins. Those tackles came by way of LB Isaiah Stalbird and edge rushers Chase Young and Cameron Jordan.
Four players managed to bat down passes for the Saints. Cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, LB Pete Werner, and safeties Terrell Burgess and Reid all had one pass deflection each.
Over the last month and a half, both teams have had ups and downs, both have grown and progressed, and both have been knocked out of postseason contention. However, with each team defending its own winning streak and New Orleans looking to avoid the season sweep, I think Sunday’s contest will be one that neither fan base will want to miss.
