Outstanding Performance: Bijan Robinson. In the third quarter, a Falcons running back broke through what appeared to be the entire Saints defense and scored on a 37-yard run. Robinson actually ran further than the recorded distance because quarterback Kirk Cousins threw the ball to Robinson in the backfield. Saints defensive backs Tyrann Mathieu and Shemar Jean-Charles tried to beat Robinson in front of the end zone, but Robinson’s contact balance was on full display. It was his second touchdown after scoring on a 1-yard run in the second quarter. Robinson entered the game with at least 100 yards from scrimmage in four straight games, increasing that to five on Sunday. Robinson finished the game with 144 total yards and two touchdowns.
Number known: 3. That’s the number of field goal attempts that Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo failed to score. He missed wide left from 53 yards to go, was blocked for 35 yards in the second quarter, and hit the right upright for a game-tying 46-yard try in the fourth. Koo’s mistakes weren’t the only thing that decided Sunday’s outcome, but his nine points certainly would have helped the Falcons.
Cornerback Mike Hughes suffered a neck injury in the second quarter and was listed as questionable to return. There was no official injury designation update, but he did not return to the game. Defensive tackle Taquon Graham went down with a chest injury in the second quarter and was ejected at halftime.
Quick Tweet: Tori McElhaney, Will McFadden, Terin Wak and Amna Subhan share their gut reactions to Sunday’s results in 280 characters or less.
McElhaney: I can’t say they didn’t have a chance. McFadden: Bijan gives us a chance every week. Waack: I’ve covered both sides of this conflict. It’s crazy. That was crazy. Subhan: I never thought this would happen.
**no. 5 Active**: The Falcons listed wide receiver Drake Rondon as questionable with a hip injury in Friday’s game report. But Rondon was not one of Atlanta’s seven inactive players on Sunday. Rondon finished the game as Atlanta’s top receiver, catching eight passes for 97 yards.
**Saints Emergency Team**: The Saints fired head coach Dennis Allen ahead of Sunday’s rematch with the Falcons. As a result, special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi was named interim head coach of the Saints. This major personnel change “only increases the urgency for the Saints organization,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. Well, the Saints jumped out to an early 10-0 lead before the Falcons put any points on the scoreboard.
**Player of the Game?**: Inside linebacker Troy Andersen had his first career 47-yard pick-six in Sunday’s game since the first Falcons-Saints showdown in Week 4. It was predicted that it would shine. However, Andersen injured his knee on special teams during Atlanta’s victory and has been out of the game since then. Sunday marked his return to the field.
Looking forward: The Falcons remain on the road in Week 11, taking on the Denver Broncos next Sunday at 4:05 PM ET. FOX will broadcast live coverage from Mile High’s Empower Field.
