The Falcons Game Score That Changed Everything for Atlanta

If you’re looking for the score on the falcons game, you probably already know the raw numbers, but the story behind that 19-17 victory over the New Orleans Saints on January 4, 2026, is a total rollercoaster. It was a weird, cold Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta walked off the field with a win. They swept their biggest rival. They finished the season with four straight victories.

And then, hours later, they fired everyone.

Honestly, it’s one of the most "Atlanta Falcons" things to ever happen. You win the game, you end the season on a high note, and the front office still hands out pink slips before the post-game meal is even cold. Head coach Raheem Morris and GM Terry Fontenot were let go despite that final score. It’s a brutal business.

Breaking Down the Score on the Falcons Game

The game itself was a defensive slugfest. If you like high-flying offenses, this wasn't the one for you. Kirk Cousins managed to find Drake London for a 15-yard touchdown early on, which gave the fans some hope, but most of the afternoon was just Zane Gonzalez kicking field goals. He hit four of them.

• First Quarter: Falcons lead 7-0 (London TD)
• Second Quarter: Falcons lead 10-7 (Gonzalez FG; Shough rushing TD for Saints)
• Third Quarter: Tied 13-10 (Battle of the kickers)
• Fourth Quarter: Falcons win 19-17

The Saints tried to make a move late. Tyler Shough threw a 16-yard touchdown to Ronnie Bell with about a minute and a half left. It felt like another classic Atlanta collapse was brewing. But Dee Alford stepped up. He grabbed a massive interception in the red zone to ice it.

Final score: Atlanta Falcons 19, New Orleans Saints 17.

Why an 8-9 Record Felt Like a Failure

You might look at an 8-9 record and think, "Hey, that's not the end of the world." Especially since they were in a three-way tie for the NFC South lead with Tampa Bay and Carolina. But the tiebreakers are a nightmare.

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Because Carolina had the better record within the division, they took the crown. The Falcons, despite winning their last four games, were left on the outside looking in. They missed the playoffs for the eighth straight year. That is a long time for a fan base to wait.

Basically, the late-season surge was too little, too late.

The Kirk Cousins and Bijan Robinson Factor

Kirk Cousins finished the year with some decent stats, but the consistency just wasn't there when it mattered in October and November. That five-game losing streak in the middle of the season is what really killed them. They lost to the Dolphins 34-10 and then had back-to-back overtime heartbreakers against the Colts and Panthers.

Bijan Robinson, though? He was a bright spot.

The guy is a human highlight reel. Even when the play-calling felt stagnant, Bijan found ways to make people miss. He ended up as a First-Team All-Pro, which is huge for his career trajectory. If the Falcons are going to turn this around in 2026, it’s going to be on his back.

A Defense That Almost Saved the Season

The defense, led by Jessie Bates III, actually kept them in a lot of games. They held the Saints to 17. They held the Rams to 24 in a massive upset win the week before. They even shut down the Bills earlier in the year, winning 24-14.

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But you can't ask a defense to be perfect every week when the offense is struggling to find the end zone. Ranking high in the score on the falcons game search results usually means people want to know if the offense finally clicked. On January 4th, it didn't really "click"—it just did enough.

What Most People Get Wrong About This Game

A lot of national media outlets focused on the "Meaningless Game" narrative because both teams were eventually eliminated. But for Atlanta fans, sweeping the Saints is never meaningless. It’s the only thing that makes a losing season tolerable.

The stadium was actually loud. People cared.

The misconception is that the team gave up on Raheem Morris. They didn't. They played hard for him until the final whistle. The decision to move on was more about the ceiling of the team. Arthur Blank clearly felt that 8-9 was the peak for this specific leadership group, and he wanted a fresh start for 2026.

Looking Ahead to the 2026 Schedule

Now that the season is officially over, we know who the Falcons are playing next. Since they finished third in the division, their 2026 schedule is locked in.

They’ll be hosting some heavy hitters:

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1. Kansas City Chiefs (The Mahomes test)
2. San Francisco 49ers (A perennial powerhouse)
3. Baltimore Ravens (Lamar Jackson in Atlanta)

They also have the standard divisional games against the Bucs, Panthers, and Saints. If they don't find a coach who can maximize Kyle Pitts and Drake London, it’s going to be another long autumn in Georgia.

Actionable Steps for Falcons Fans

If you’re trying to keep up with the team during this chaotic off-season, here is what you should be doing right now.

Track the Coaching Search
The Falcons are already interviewing candidates. Look for names with offensive backgrounds. The goal is to find someone who can finally unlock the "Big Three" (Bijan, London, Pitts).

Watch the Draft Order
With an 8-9 record, the Falcons are sitting in the middle of the pack for the 2026 NFL Draft. They won’t have a top-five pick, but they are in a prime position to snag an elite edge rusher or a project quarterback if they decide the Kirk Cousins era is nearing its end.

Review the Cap Space
The front office actually left the team in a decent spot financially. They have room to bring in a high-end cornerback to pair with A.J. Terrell. Keep an eye on free agency starting in March.

The score on the falcons game was a win, but the aftermath feels like a total reset. It’s a weird time to be a fan, but at least they didn't let the Saints win in their own building. That has to count for something.

Check the official team site for the updated list of head coach interview requests.
Download a draft simulator to see which defensive ends might fall to Atlanta's pick.
Sign up for season ticket alerts if you're betting on a big turnaround under the new regime.