Final2021 Week 9

Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA

Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints, Week 9 2021

Atlanta Falcons

AwayWon

27

New Orleans Saints

Home

25

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Falcons3771027
Saints0032225

ATL 27NO 25 Final

  • Passing leader

    Matt Ryan

    ATL · QB

    28.5PPR pts

    23/30, 343 YDS, 2 TD, 1 RUSH TD

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Olamide Zaccheaus

    ATL · WR

    20.8PPR pts

    3 REC, 58 YDS, 2 TD

  • Saints leader

    Alvin Kamara

    NO · RB

    20.4PPR pts

    13 ATT, 50 YDS, 1 TD, 4 REC, 54 REC YDS

  • Defensive playmaker

    Marcus Davenport

    NO

    1 SACK, 6 TKL

Falcons 27, Saints 25: Atlanta holds off New Orleans

Atlanta led 10–0 at halftime and won 27–25, though New Orleans took the second half 25–17. New Orleans outgained the Falcons 376–366, but the Falcons averaged 6.4 yards per play.

New Orleans didn't get on the board until the third quarter.

The Saints went 3-for-10 on third down and committed one turnover, while the Falcons finished without a giveaway.

The two teams meet again in Week 4 of 2026. If you roster anyone from either side, run the start/sit call in Redraft Command and it will weigh your lineup, your opponent and your league scoring, not only the player rankings.

Key advantages

  • +1.0 yards/play ATL 6.4 · NO 5.4
  • +1 turnover margin ATL 0 turnovers
  • +8% third-down rate ATL 38% · NO 30%

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

Got a Falcon or Saint on your fantasy team?

Check their next matchup with the Start/Sit Tool, compare their value in the Fantasy Trade Calculator, or connect your league for personalized advice in Redraft Command.

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Why the Falcons Won

Atlanta won the efficiency, turnover, and third-down battles.

Team stats comparison, Falcons vs Saints
FalconsStatSaints
6.4Yards per play5.4
0Turnovers1
38%Third-down conversion30%
Other team stats
366Total yards376
57Plays69
27:39Time of possession32:21

Scoring Summary

The Falcons scored three touchdowns and two field goals; the Saints scored three touchdowns and two field goals.

Scoring plays, Falcons vs Saints
TimeTeamPlayATLNO
1st quarter
4:26ATLYounghoe Koo 32-yard FG Takes lead30
2nd quarter
0:06ATLMatt Ryan → Olamide Zaccheaus, 3-yard TD Extends leadYounghoe Koo XP100
3rd quarter
9:36NOBrian Johnson 35-yard FG103
5:13ATLMatt Ryan 1-yard TD run Extends leadYounghoe Koo XP173
4th quarter
14:49NOBrian Johnson 52-yard FG176
10:39ATLMatt Ryan → Olamide Zaccheaus, 6-yard TD Extends leadYounghoe Koo XP246
7:57NOTrevor Siemian → Marquez Callaway, 5-yard TDBrian Johnson XP2413
4:35NOAlvin Kamara 2-yard TD run2-pt try failed2419
1:01NOTrevor Siemian → Kenny Stills, 8-yard TD Takes lead2-pt try failed2425
0:00ATLYounghoe Koo 29-yard FG Game winner2725

Fantasy Points: Falcons vs Saints, Week 9 2021

Fantasy leaders

  1. Matt RyanATLQB28.5 PTSQB3
  2. Olamide ZaccheausATLWR20.8 PTSWR4
  3. Alvin KamaraNORB20.4 PTSRB6
  4. Cordarrelle PattersonATLRB18.6 PTSRB7

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Matt RyanATLQB28.5QB323/3034320581135.8
Trevor SiemianNOQB15.0QB1725/4124920———94.5

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Olamide ZaccheausATLWR20.8WR4WR———33582Start/Sit →
Alvin KamaraNORB20.4RB6RB1350174540Start/Sit →
Cordarrelle PattersonATLRB18.6RB7RB9100661260
Russell GageATLWR13.4WR20WR———87640
Marquez CallawayNOWR11.5WR25WR———63251
Mark IngramNORB11.4RB23RB943055210
Deonte HartyNOWR11.2WR29WR———86520
Kenny StillsNOWR11.0WR30WR———52301
Kyle PittsATLTE9.2TE19TE———73620
Adam TrautmanNOTE8.7TE21TE———74470Start/Sit →
Tre'Quan SmithNOWR8.3WR42WR———43530
Hayden HurstATLTE3.6TE36TE———32160
Tajae SharpeATLWR2.2WR84WR———11120
Mike DavisATLRB1.8RB59RB91302150
Taysom HillNOTE1.7TE46TE140————
Feleipe FranksATLTE0.3TE55TE230————

Fantasy Usage

Atlanta Falcons

Snap Share

  1. Russell GageWR48 snaps81%
  2. Tajae SharpeWR47 snaps80%
  3. Kyle PittsTE44 snaps75%
  4. Cordarrelle PattersonRB33 snaps56%
  5. Mike DavisRB33 snaps56%

Target Share30 targets

  1. Russell Gage27%, 8 targets
  2. Kyle Pitts23%, 7 targets
  3. Cordarrelle Patterson20%, 6 targets
  4. Hayden Hurst10%, 3 targets
  5. Olamide Zaccheaus10%, 3 targets
  6. Other10%, 3 targets

Carry Share25 carries

  1. Cordarrelle Patterson36%, 9 carries
  2. Mike Davis36%, 9 carries
  3. Matt Ryan20%, 5 carries
  4. Feleipe Franks8%, 2 carries

New Orleans Saints

Snap Share

  1. Adam TrautmanTE67 snaps88%
  2. Tre'Quan SmithWR61 snaps80%
  3. Marquez CallawayWR60 snaps79%
  4. Alvin KamaraRB52 snaps68%
  5. Mark IngramRB26 snaps34%

Target Share42 targets

  1. Deonte Harty19%, 8 targets
  2. Alvin Kamara17%, 7 targets
  3. Adam Trautman17%, 7 targets
  4. Marquez Callaway14%, 6 targets
  5. Mark Ingram12%, 5 targets
  6. Other21%, 9 targets

Carry Share23 carries

  1. Alvin Kamara57%, 13 carries
  2. Mark Ingram39%, 9 carries
  3. Taysom Hill4%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Adam TrautmanNOTE6788%717%0
Russell GageATLWR4881%827%0
Tre'Quan SmithNOWR6180%410%0
Tajae SharpeATLWR4780%13%0
Marquez CallawayNOWR6079%614%0
Kyle PittsATLTE4475%723%0
Alvin KamaraNORB5268%717%13
Cordarrelle PattersonATLRB3356%620%9
Mike DavisATLRB3356%27%9
Olamide ZaccheausATLWR2949%310%0
Hayden HurstATLTE2644%310%0
Mark IngramNORB2634%512%9
Kenny StillsNOWR2533%512%0
Deonte HartyNOWR2330%819%0
Lee SmithATLTE1729%00%0
Taysom HillNOTE1722%00%1
Kevin WhiteNOWR1520%00%0
Garrett GriffinNOTE1114%00%0
Christian BlakeATLWR35%00%0
Feleipe FranksATLTE23%00%2

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

  • Biggest overperformer+15.7Olamide Zaccheaus20.8 PTS vs 5.1 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−6.3Mike Davis2.8 PTS vs 9.1 xFP
  • Highest expected volume20.1 xFPAlvin Kamara20.4 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Alvin KamaraNO · RB20.420.1+0.368%52% car—01352%717%
Trevor SiemianNO · QB16.018.0−2.096%41 att—4100%00%
Matt RyanATL · QB28.516.4+12.1100%30 att—30520%00%
Cordarrelle PattersonATL · RB19.615.9+3.756%36% car—0936%620%
Mark Ingram IINO · RB11.414.2−2.834%36% car—0936%512%
Deonte HartyNO · WR11.213.5−2.330%19% tgt—000%819%
Russell Gage Jr.ATL · WR13.413.5−0.181%27% tgt—000%827%
Adam TrautmanNO · TE8.711.8−3.188%17% tgt—000%717%
Kyle Pitts Sr.ATL · TE9.211.8−2.675%23% tgt—000%723%
Marquez CallawayNO · WR11.510.1+1.479%14% tgt—000%614%
Mike DavisATL · RB2.89.1−6.356%36% car—0936%27%
Kenny StillsNO · WR11.08.4+2.633%12% tgt—000%512%
Tre'Quan SmithNO · WR8.36.7+1.680%10% tgt—000%410%
Hayden HurstATL · TE3.65.1−1.544%10% tgt—000%310%
Olamide ZaccheausATL · WR20.85.1+15.749%10% tgt—000%310%
Tajae SharpeATL · WR2.21.7+0.580%3% tgt—000%13%
Taysom HillNO · TE1.71.5+0.222%4% car—214%00%
Alex ArmahNO · RB1.21.3−0.1—8% car—028%00%
Feleipe FranksATL · TE0.31.3−1.03%8% car—028%00%

Team totals: Falcons 30 targets and 25 carries; Saints 42 targets and 25 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2021 season: 1.68 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.64 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Matt Ryan Ran hot

ATL · QB · 28.5 pts on 16.4 expected

23 of 30 passing for 343 yards, 2 touchdowns; 5 carries for 8 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 16.4 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Trevor Siemian

NO · QB · 16.0 pts on 18.0 expected

25 of 41 passing for 249 yards, 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 18.0 expected.

Cordarrelle Patterson

ATL · RB · 19.6 pts on 15.9 expected

6 targets (20% of the team's), 6 catches for 126 yards; 9 carries (36% of the team's) for 10 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 15.9 expected.

Russell Gage Jr.

ATL · WR · 13.4 pts on 13.5 expected

8 targets (27% of the team's), 7 catches for 64 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 13.5 expected.

Alvin Kamara

NO · RB · 20.4 pts on 20.1 expected

7 targets (17% of the team's), 4 catches for 54 yards; 13 carries (52% of the team's) for 50 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 20.1 expected.

Start/Sit: Alvin Kamara →

Mark Ingram II

NO · RB · 11.4 pts on 14.2 expected

5 targets (12% of the team's), 5 catches for 21 yards; 9 carries (36% of the team's) for 43 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 14.2 expected.

Mike Davis Unlucky

ATL · RB · 2.8 pts on 9.1 expected

2 targets (7% of the team's), 1 catch for 5 yards; 9 carries (36% of the team's) for 13 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 9.1 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Olamide Zaccheaus Ran hot

ATL · WR · 20.8 pts on 5.1 expected

3 targets (10% of the team's), 3 catches for 58 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 5.1 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Olamide Zaccheaus →

Stock Up, Stock Down

Atlanta Falcons

  • Stock up: Cordarrelle Patterson led the backfield with 56% of the snaps after trailing Mike Davis before this game.
  • Stock up: Russell Gage Jr. played 81% of the snaps, up from a 63% season average.
  • Stock up: Tajae Sharpe played 80% of the snaps, up from a 36% season average.

New Orleans Saints

  • Stock up: Tre'Quan Smith played 80% of the snaps, up from a 59% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2021 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Falcons defense and Saints defense
Points allowed toFalcons DSaints D
QBs18.816.3
RBs24.617.7
WRs36.634.8
TEs12.49.4

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

New Orleans opened at 68% win probability, climbed as high as >99%, then lost.

Saints win probability

Saints win probability by game minuteSaints started at 68%, stood at 24% at halftime and finished at 0%, across 10 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. −27Ryan → Zaccheaus, 3-yd TD51% → 24%Q2 0:06
  2. +11Johnson 35-yd FG20% → 31%Q3 9:36
  3. −20Ryan 1-yd TD run27% → 7%Q3 5:13
  4. +73Siemian → Stills, 8-yd TD<1% → 74%Q4 1:01
  5. −100Koo 29-yd FG>99% → <1%Q4 0:00

Swing in Saints win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Falcons vs Saints
Atlanta FalconsMeasureNew Orleans Saints
57Plays69
56%Pass rate64%
10.4Yds / dropback6.1
1.4Yds / carry4.4
5/13Third downs3/10

Efficiency edge Atlanta ran 12 fewer plays but gained 4.3 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • ATL Gage 27% · Pitts 23% · Patterson 20%
  • NO Harty 19% · Trautman 17% · Kamara 17%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Falcons vs Saints
ResultATLNO
Touchdowns33
Field goals22
Punts53
Turnovers01
Turnovers on downs11

ATL turnover edge: +1

  • The Falcons opened the scoring on their second possession, a 8-play, 64-yard drive that ended in a field goal.
All 22 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
ATLQ1 15:006363:26Punt
NOQ1 11:347303:23Punt
ATLQ1 8:118643:45Field goal
NOQ1 4:269305:56Punt
ATLQ2 13:30342:02Punt
NOQ2 11:286292:44Downs
ATLQ2 8:44481:20Downs
NOQ2 7:243-21:48Punt
ATLQ2 5:3615925:30Touchdown
NOQ2 0:06000:06End of half
NOQ3 15:0012605:24Field goal
ATLQ3 9:367814:23Touchdown
NOQ3 5:1311455:24Field goal
ATLQ4 14:494161:45Punt
NOQ4 13:044122:18Fumble
ATLQ4 10:46160:07Touchdown
NOQ4 10:398662:42Touchdown
ATLQ4 7:57312:31Punt
NOQ4 5:266540:51Touchdown
ATLQ4 4:353-71:49Punt
NOQ4 2:465431:45Touchdown
ATLQ4 1:015641:01Field goal
About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Falcons vs Saints Head-to-Head

The Falcons and Saints first met in 1967 and have played 114 times since. They have been NFC South rivals since 1988.

All-time series
58–56Falcons lead, 114 meetings since 1967
Postseason
1–0Falcons won in 1991
Largest Falcons win
62–71973
Largest Saints win
38–01987

Since 2021

5–5 Series tied

10 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. F = Falcons win, S = Saints win, outlined = this game.

2026 Meetings

  • Week 4 Falcons at Saints Upcoming
  • Week 17 Saints at Falcons Upcoming

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2021 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Falcons vs Saints
FalconsStatSaints
7-10Record9-8
18.4Points per game21.4
303.8Yards per game304.5
5.1Yards per play4.9
27.0Points allowed per game19.7
364.4Yards allowed per game318.2

Falcons vs Saints Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread
NO −6.5Saints failed to cover by 8.5
Total
43Over: 52 points scored (by 9)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
TeamImpliedActualDifference
Saints24.825+0.3
Falcons18.327+8.8

Both offenses beat the market's expectation, and the Fantasy tab shows who cashed in.

Betting Trends

Each team's 2021 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Atlanta Falcons

Against the spread
4–4
Over/under
5–3
ATS as favorite
2–2
ATS as underdog
2–2
ATS on the road
3–1

New Orleans Saints

Against the spread
4–4
Over/under
4–4
ATS as favorite
1–4
ATS as underdog
3–0
ATS at home
2–2

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Falcons vs Saints Fantasy Outlook for 2026

Two meetings are left on the 2026 schedule: Week 4 in New Orleans and Week 17 in Atlanta. Here's how to decide who to play in your league.

Keep Exploring

2021 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Falcons vs Saints Game FAQ

Who won the 2021 Falcons vs Saints Week 9 game?

The Atlanta Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints 27–25 in Week 9 of the 2021 season. The game was played at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA, on November 7, 2021. See the Falcons' 2021 schedule.

What was the final score of Falcons vs Saints?

The final score was Falcons 27, Saints 25. The Falcons led 10–0 at halftime, and the second half went Falcons 17, Saints 25.

What happened in the Falcons vs Saints game?

Atlanta led 10–0 at halftime and won 27–25, though New Orleans took the second half 25–17. New Orleans outgained the Falcons 376–366, but the Falcons averaged 6.4 yards per play. Matt Ryan led all players with 23 of 30 passing for 343 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 5 carries for 8 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Saints committed 1 turnover, the Falcons none.

What was the game-winning score in Falcons vs Saints?

Younghoe Koo's 29-yard field goal with 0:00 left in the fourth quarter gave the Falcons a 27–25 lead they never gave up. It was the final score of the game.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Falcons vs Saints?

Matt Ryan led the game with 28.5 PPR fantasy points, the QB3 of Week 9, on 23 of 30 passing for 343 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 5 carries for 8 rushing yards and a touchdown. Olamide Zaccheaus was next with 20.8 (WR4).

Who led Falcons vs Saints in passing, rushing and receiving?

Matt Ryan (ATL) led all passers with 23 of 30 for 343 yards and 2 touchdowns. Alvin Kamara (NO) led in rushing with 13 carries for 50 yards and a touchdown. Cordarrelle Patterson (ATL) led in receiving with 6 catches for 126 yards.

How many fantasy points did Matt Ryan score against the Saints?

Matt Ryan scored 28.5 fantasy points against the Saints in Week 9 of the 2021 season, the same in PPR, half-PPR and standard scoring because he had no catches, on 23 of 30 passing for 343 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 5 carries for 8 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Falcons vs Saints?

Olamide Zaccheaus outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 20.8 PPR points on 5.1 xFP (+15.7). Mike Davis fell furthest short, with 2.8 points on 9.1 xFP (−6.3). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

How did the Falcons come back to beat the Saints?

The Falcons' chances of winning fell as low as <1% in overtime. Younghoe Koo's 29-yard field goal in the fourth quarter was the biggest swing of the game. Younghoe Koo's 29-yard field goal then put them ahead for good.

What is the all-time Falcons vs Saints record?

The Falcons lead the all-time series 58–56 across 114 meetings since 1967, including a 1–0 record in the postseason.

When did the Falcons and Saints last play before this game?

Before Week 9 of 2021, they last met in the 2020 season on December 6, 2020, when the Saints beat the Falcons 21–16.

Have the Falcons and Saints met in the playoffs?

Yes, 1 time, most recently in the 1991 playoffs. The Falcons are 1–0 against the Saints in the postseason.

What was the closing spread for Falcons vs Saints?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Saints −6.5, making the New Orleans Saints 6.5-point favorites, with a closing total of 43. That implied about 24.8 points for the Saints and 18.3 for the Falcons.

Did Falcons vs Saints go over or under the total?

The game went over. The consensus closing total was 43, and the teams combined for 52 points, 9 over the number.

Who covered the spread in Falcons vs Saints?

The Falcons covered as 6.5-point underdogs against the closing line of Saints −6.5. The final margin was 2 points.