Falcons Comeback Falls Short; Saints Clinch NFC South with 26-18 Win

Despite recovering two onside kicks in the fourth quarter, the Atlanta Falcons couldn’t complete their comeback against the New Orleans Saints.

After trailing 26-9 early in the final frame, the Falcons finally showed up on offense with a 3-minute drive to get within 11, 26-15.

Then, it took two tries, but Atlanta recovered their first onside kick. A minute and a half later the Falcons kicked a field goal to make it 26-22. Atlanta had all three timeouts, and 1:56 on the clock when they tried for another onside kick.

Yet again, the Falcons recovered. Foyesade Oluokun recovered the first kick. On the second, he dove and deflected the ball off Saints star WR Michael Thomas so his teammate could recover it.

Unfortunately for Atlanta they turned the ball over on downs on six plays, which clinched the win and the division for New Orleans.

Before all of that, the Saints scored early after Taysom Hill deflected a punt on special teams and then caught and ran in the touchdown on offense.

At the half, New Orleans was cruising albeit only leading 17-9. The Falcons missed an extra point try and a field goal in the opening half.

Not much going on in the third quarter for either team, but the Saints led 20-9 going to the fourth where all the aforementioned theatrics took place.

Here are the highlights from Thursday Night Football:

1st Quarter:

Drew Brees to Taysom Hill 3-yd TD, 7-0 Saints