The Saints will still have the game against Hurricane Katrina on September 25, 2006. Steve Gleason’s blocking of a Falcons punt is commemorated in a statue outside the Superdome titled “Rebirth”.
But Monday night belonged to the Falcons.
Atlanta spoiled New Orleans’ Domecoming celebration, beating the Saints 45-24.
The Superdome cleared out in the second half as the Falcons crushed the Saints, with 205 of their 420 yards rushing. Bijan Robinson had 19 carries for 145 yards and two touchdowns, and Brian Robinson added 14 carries for 62 yards and three touchdowns.
Bijan Robinson ran 59 yards for a touchdown on the third play from scrimmage, foreshadowing how the night would unfold.
The Falcons led 14-0 at the end of the first quarter and 24-7 at halftime before continuing to pile up points in the second half.
The Falcons have scored the fewest points in the NFL through the first two weeks, with 16. Over the past two games, since the return of quarterback Michael Penix, the Falcons have an NFL-leading 80 points. The Falcons are 2-2 and tied with the Panthers atop the NFC South. The Saints are 1-3.
Penix was 15 of 20 for 223 yards and a touchdown, a 31-yard throw to Jahan Dotson. Drake London caught five passes for 96 yards and Dotson had two catches for 54.
Alvin Kamara turned back the clock by scoring two of the Saints’ touchdowns on runs of 3 and 5 yards. He tied Deuce McAllister’s franchise record for most multi-carry touchdown games with his 14th.
Late in the fourth quarter, with the game out of reach, Devaughn Vele made one of the best catches of the season. He put both feet on the ground for a 3-yard touchdown with 1:13 left.
Tyler Shough was 30 of 48 for 286 yards and a touchdown despite banging up his left hand. Chris Olave caught eight passes for 116 yards before suffering a hard knee hit late in the game.
The only bad news for the Falcons was the loss of edge rusher Za’Darius Smith (concussion) and left tackle Jake Matthews (groin). They left in the first half with their injuries and now have a short week to try to return for the Ravens on Sunday Night Football.
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