The NFL season moves fast. One minute you're tailgating outside the Superdome, and the next, you're looking at a final standings sheet that looks nothing like what the pundits predicted back in August. If you've been searching for what's the score of the saints football game, the answer is currently tied to a bittersweet ending for the Black and Gold.
New Orleans wrapped up their 2025-2026 campaign on January 4, 2026. They faced off against the Atlanta Falcons in a game that had massive implications for the NFC South—just not the ones Saints fans were hoping for.
The Final Score and the Playoff Fallout
The Saints lost to the Atlanta Falcons with a final score of 17-19.
It was a nail-biter. Honestly, it was the kind of game that defines the "Big Easy" experience: flashes of brilliance followed by heart-wrenching errors. This loss didn't just end the Saints' season; it effectively handed the NFC South division title to the Carolina Panthers. Talk about a tough pill to swallow.
The game took place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. For those keeping track of the stats, the Saints finished their first year under head coach Kellen Moore with a 6-11 record. It wasn't the debut Moore or the fans wanted, but the season finale at least showed some grit.
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A Quick Look at the Box Score
The scoring was back-and-forth, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
- First Quarter: Atlanta jumped ahead 7-0 with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Kirk Cousins to Drake London.
- Second Quarter: Zane Gonzalez added a field goal for the Falcons, but Tyler Shough answered with a 1-yard TD run.
- Third Quarter: A defensive struggle. Both teams traded field goals.
- Fourth Quarter: The drama peaked. Shough threw a late TD to Ronnie Bell to make it 17-19, but a crucial interception earlier in the quarter ultimately prevented the comeback.
Tyler Shough and the Offensive Struggle
Let’s talk about the quarterback situation. Tyler Shough had a "hero or heartbreak" kind of day. He went 23 of 35 for 259 yards. He’s got the arm, and he definitely has the legs—his 29-yard scramble was a highlight of the game.
But the interception with 3:14 left? That was the killer.
The Saints were in scoring range. A field goal wins it there. Instead, Dee Alford picked him off and returned it 59 yards, setting up Atlanta for the points they needed to stay ahead. It's the kind of mistake that young quarterbacks make, but in a rivalry game, it feels ten times heavier.
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The receiving corps was missing some key starters, which didn't help. Kevin Austin Jr. led the way with four catches, while Juwan Johnson showed up big with 61 yards on just three receptions. The offense is clearly in a transition phase, trying to find an identity under Moore's system.
Why This Score Matters for the 2026 Season
Even though the "current" score is from the finale, it sets the stage for what’s next. Because the Saints finished fourth in the NFC South, their 2026 opponents are already locked in.
They’ll be facing a "fourth-place" schedule, which sounds easier on paper but in the NFL, that’s rarely the case. They have home games lined up against the Packers, Vikings, and Raiders. On the road, they’ll have to travel to places like Baltimore and Cincinnati.
The defense remains the backbone of this team. In the finale, Chase Young and Carl Granderson were consistent threats, both recording sacks on Kirk Cousins. If the Saints are going to flip that 6-11 record next year, the defense has to stay elite while the offense finds a way to stop turning the ball over in the red zone.
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What to Watch During the Offseason
Now that the final score of the season is in the books, the focus shifts to the front office. There are a few major storylines to track as we head toward the draft:
- The Quarterback Room: Is Shough the guy, or was 2025 just a bridge?
- Salary Cap Gymnastics: As is tradition in New Orleans, the cap situation is... complicated.
- The Kellen Moore Evolution: How much will the playbook change now that he has a full year of data on this roster?
While the what's the score of the saints football game search might lead you to a loss today, the underlying metrics suggest a team that isn't as far off as a 6-11 record looks. They lost five games by a touchdown or less this season.
If you're looking for live action right now, remember that the NFL playoffs are moving forward without the Saints. You can catch the Divisional Round matchups this weekend, which will determine who heads to the Super Bowl. For Saints fans, the next "score" that matters won't happen until the preseason kicks off in August.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Track the 2026 Draft Order: Since the Saints finished 6-11, they'll have a high pick. Keep an eye on mock drafts starting in February to see which playmakers they might target.
- Review the 2026 Opponent List: Check the official New Orleans Saints website for the full list of home and away matchups to start planning your travel or ticket purchases for next fall.
- Follow the Salary Cap Updates: Use sites like OverTheCap to see how the Saints manage their veteran contracts this spring, as this will dictate who stays and who goes.