Final2023 Week 18

Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA

Atlanta Falcons vs New Orleans Saints, Week 18 2023

Atlanta Falcons

Away

17

New Orleans Saints

HomeWon

48

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Falcons1430017
Saints710141748

ATL 17NO 48 Final

  • Passing leader

    Desmond Ridder

    ATL · QB

    16.6PPR pts

    22/30, 291 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Bijan Robinson

    ATL · RB

    26.1PPR pts

    11 ATT, 28 YDS, 7 REC, 103 REC YDS, 1 REC TD

  • Falcons leader

    Jonnu Smith

    ATL · TE

    11.9PPR pts

    3 REC, 29 YDS, 1 TD

  • Defensive playmaker

    Tyrann Mathieu

    NO

    1 INT, 3 TKL

Saints 48, Falcons 17: New Orleans pulls away from Atlanta

New Orleans broke a 17–17 halftime tie, outscoring Atlanta 31–0 after the break to win 48–17. The Saints finished with a narrow 400–389 edge in total offense.

The Falcons went 4-for-11 on third down and committed three turnovers, while the Saints kept the ball for 33:50 and 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

  • +3 turnover margin NO 0 turnovers
  • +11 total yards NO 400 · ATL 389
  • +7:40 time of possession NO 33:50 · ATL 26:10

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

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Why the Saints Won

New Orleans won the turnover and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Falcons vs Saints
FalconsStatSaints
3Turnovers0
389Total yards400
26:10Time of possession33:50
Other team stats
6.5Yards per play6.1
60Plays66
36%Third-down conversion30%

Scoring Summary

The Saints scored six touchdowns and two field goals; the Falcons scored two touchdowns and one field goal.

Scoring plays, Falcons vs Saints
TimeTeamPlayATLNO
1st quarter
8:42ATLDesmond Ridder → Jonnu Smith, 15-yard TD Takes leadYounghoe Koo XP70
5:01NODerek Carr → A.T. Perry, 18-yard TD Ties gameBlake Grupe XP77
4:13ATLDesmond Ridder → Bijan Robinson, 71-yard TD Takes leadYounghoe Koo XP147
2nd quarter
11:04NOKendre Miller 3-yard TD run Ties gameBlake Grupe XP1414
0:56NOBlake Grupe 24-yard FG Takes lead1417
0:00ATLYounghoe Koo 30-yard FG Ties game1717
3rd quarter
13:01NODerek Carr → Chris Olave, 26-yard TD Takes leadBlake Grupe XP1724
8:54NODerek Carr → Rashid Shaheed, 39-yard TD Extends leadBlake Grupe XP1731
4th quarter
9:57NOBlake Grupe 24-yard FG Extends lead1734
9:02NODerek Carr → A.T. Perry, 6-yard TD Extends leadBlake Grupe XP1741
1:10NOJamaal Williams 1-yard TD run Extends leadBlake Grupe XP1748

Fantasy Points: Falcons vs Saints, Week 18 2023

Fantasy leaders

  1. Derek CarrNOQB27.2 PTSQB1
  2. Bijan RobinsonATLRB26.1 PTSRB4
  3. A.T. PerryNOWR20.3 PTSWR12
  4. Desmond RidderATLQB16.6 PTSQB16

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Desmond RidderATLQB16.6QB1622/3029121200111.9
Derek CarrNOQB27.2QB122/2826440160145.5
Logan WoodsideATLQB0.7QB363/4270116053.1

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Bijan RobinsonATLRB26.1RB4RB11280871031Start/Sit →
A.T. PerryNOWR20.3WR12WR———33532
Rashid ShaheedNOWR15.5WR23WR———43651Start/Sit →
Kendre MillerNORB14.9RB13RB137311160Start/Sit →
Chris OlaveNOWR14.6WR26WR———33561Start/Sit →
Jamaal WilliamsNORB12.4RB23RB142613380
Taysom HillNOTE11.9TE9TE651044280
Jonnu SmithATLTE11.9TE8TE———33291Start/Sit →
Scotty MillerATLWR8.6WR45WR———22660
Drake LondonATLWR8.1WR47WR———94410Start/Sit →
Juwan JohnsonNOTE7.0TE17TE———33400Start/Sit →
Tyler AllgeierATLRB6.4RB37RB624033100Start/Sit →
Kyle PittsATLTE4.7TE30TE———32270
Van JeffersonATLWR3.3WR84WR———32130
MyCole PruittATLTE2.7TE43TE———11170
John FitzPatrickATLTE2.2TE46TE———11120
Cordarrelle PattersonATLRB2.0RB56RB5200————
Lynn BowdenNOWR1.3WR114WR1-201150
Foster MoreauNOTE1.3TE56TE———1130Start/Sit →
Jordan MimsNORB0.0—RB———2000
KhaDarel HodgeATLWR0.0—WR———1000

Fantasy Usage

Atlanta Falcons

Snap Share

  1. Drake LondonWR46 snaps75%
  2. Bijan RobinsonRB45 snaps74%
  3. Kyle PittsTE39 snaps64%
  4. Jonnu SmithTE38 snaps62%
  5. Van JeffersonWR30 snaps49%

Target Share34 targets

  1. Drake London26%, 9 targets
  2. Bijan Robinson24%, 8 targets
  3. Jonnu Smith9%, 3 targets
  4. Van Jefferson9%, 3 targets
  5. Kyle Pitts9%, 3 targets
  6. Other24%, 8 targets

Carry Share25 carries

  1. Bijan Robinson44%, 11 carries
  2. Tyler Allgeier24%, 6 carries
  3. Cordarrelle Patterson20%, 5 carries
  4. Desmond Ridder8%, 2 carries
  5. Logan Woodside4%, 1 carries

New Orleans Saints

Snap Share

  1. Chris OlaveWR49 snaps73%
  2. Rashid ShaheedWR45 snaps67%
  3. A.T. PerryWR43 snaps64%
  4. Foster MoreauTE40 snaps60%
  5. Jamaal WilliamsRB33 snaps49%

Target Share25 targets

  1. Taysom Hill16%, 4 targets
  2. Rashid Shaheed16%, 4 targets
  3. Jamaal Williams12%, 3 targets
  4. Juwan Johnson12%, 3 targets
  5. Chris Olave12%, 3 targets
  6. Other32%, 8 targets

Carry Share35 carries

  1. Jamaal Williams40%, 14 carries
  2. Kendre Miller37%, 13 carries
  3. Taysom Hill17%, 6 carries
  4. Derek Carr3%, 1 carries
  5. Lynn Bowden3%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Drake LondonATLWR4675%926%0
Bijan RobinsonATLRB4574%824%11
Chris OlaveNOWR4973%312%0
Rashid ShaheedNOWR4567%416%0
A.T. PerryNOWR4364%312%0
Kyle PittsATLTE3964%39%0
Jonnu SmithATLTE3862%39%0
Foster MoreauNOTE4060%14%0
Jamaal WilliamsNORB3349%312%14
Van JeffersonATLWR3049%39%0
Juwan JohnsonNOTE3146%312%0
Taysom HillNOTE2842%416%6
Kendre MillerNORB2436%14%13
Scotty MillerATLWR1931%26%0
Lynn BowdenNOWR2030%14%1
Tyler AllgeierATLRB1830%39%6
KhaDarel HodgeATLWR1728%13%0
MyCole PruittATLTE1423%13%0
Mack HollinsATLWR1321%00%0
John FitzPatrickATLTE1016%13%0
Cordarrelle PattersonATLRB813%00%5
Tucker FiskATLTE813%00%0
Jimmy GrahamNOTE710%00%0
Jordan MimsNORB34%28%0

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+15.3A.T. Perry20.3 PTS vs 5.0 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−6.9Drake London8.1 PTS vs 15.0 xFP
  • Highest expected volume20.1 xFPBijan Robinson26.1 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Bijan RobinsonATL · RB26.120.1+6.074%44% car—01144%824%
Drake LondonATL · WR8.115.0−6.975%26% tgt—000%926%
Desmond RidderATL · QB16.613.9+2.784%30 att—3028%00%
Jamaal WilliamsNO · RB12.413.6−1.249%40% car—01440%312%
Derek CarrNO · QB27.212.4+14.888%28 att—2813%00%
Taysom HillNO · TE11.910.4+1.542%17% car—0617%416%
Kendre MillerNO · RB14.99.6+5.336%37% car—01337%14%
Tyler AllgeierATL · RB6.48.7−2.330%24% car—0624%39%
Rashid ShaheedNO · WR15.56.7+8.867%16% tgt—000%416%
A.T. PerryNO · WR20.35.0+15.364%12% tgt—000%312%
Chris OlaveNO · WR14.65.0+9.673%12% tgt—000%312%
Jonnu SmithATL · TE11.95.0+6.962%9% tgt—000%39%
Juwan JohnsonNO · TE7.05.0+2.046%12% tgt—000%312%
Kyle Pitts Sr.ATL · TE4.75.0−0.364%9% tgt—000%39%
Van JeffersonATL · WR3.35.0−1.749%9% tgt—000%39%
Jordan MimsNO · RB0.03.3−3.34%8% tgt—000%28%
Scotty MillerATL · WR8.63.3+5.331%6% tgt—000%26%
Cordarrelle PattersonATL · RB2.03.1−1.113%20% car—0520%00%
Logan WoodsideATL · QB0.72.3−1.616%4 att—414%00%
Lynn Bowden Jr.NO · WR1.32.3−1.030%4% tgt—013%14%
Foster MoreauNO · TE1.31.7−0.460%4% tgt—000%14%
John FitzPatrickATL · TE2.21.7+0.516%3% tgt—000%13%
KhaDarel HodgeATL · WR0.01.7−1.728%3% tgt—000%13%
MyCole PruittATL · TE2.71.7+1.023%3% tgt—000%13%

Team totals: Falcons 34 targets and 25 carries; Saints 25 targets and 35 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 2023 season: 1.67 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.61 per carry and 0.42 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Desmond Ridder

ATL · QB · 16.6 pts on 13.9 expected

22 of 30 passing for 291 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception; 2 carries for 0 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 13.9 expected.

Derek Carr Ran hot

NO · QB · 27.2 pts on 12.4 expected

22 of 28 passing for 264 yards, 4 touchdowns; 1 carry for 6 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 12.4 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Bijan Robinson Ran hot

ATL · RB · 26.1 pts on 20.1 expected

8 targets (24% of the team's), 7 catches for 103 yards and 1 touchdown; 11 carries (44% of the team's) for 28 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 20.1 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Bijan Robinson →

Drake London Unlucky

ATL · WR · 8.1 pts on 15.0 expected

9 targets (26% of the team's), 4 catches for 41 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 15.0 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Drake London →

Jamaal Williams

NO · RB · 12.4 pts on 13.6 expected

3 targets (12% of the team's), 3 catches for 8 yards; 14 carries (40% of the team's) for 26 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 13.6 expected.

Taysom Hill

NO · TE · 11.9 pts on 10.4 expected

4 targets (16% of the team's), 4 catches for 28 yards; 6 carries (17% of the team's) for 51 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 10.4 expected.

Kendre Miller Ran hot

NO · RB · 14.9 pts on 9.6 expected

1 target (4% of the team's), 1 catch for 6 yards; 13 carries (37% of the team's) for 73 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 9.6 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Kendre Miller →

Rashid Shaheed Ran hot

NO · WR · 15.5 pts on 6.7 expected

4 targets (16% of the team's), 3 catches for 65 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 6.7 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Rashid Shaheed →

Stock Up, Stock Down

New Orleans Saints

  • Stock up: Kendre Miller played 36% of the snaps, up from a 18% season average.
  • Stock down: Juwan Johnson played 46% of the snaps, down from a 66% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2023 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Falcons defense and Saints defense
Points allowed toFalcons DSaints D
QBs17.715.4
RBs18.319.3
WRs28.829.9
TEs13.812.4

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

How the Game Swung

New Orleans opened at 50% win probability and passed 98% in the fourth quarter on the way to the win.

Saints win probability

Saints win probability by game minuteSaints started at 50%, stood at 50% at halftime and finished at 100%, across 11 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. −21Ridder → Smith, 15-yd TD50% → 29%Q1 8:42
  2. +21Carr → Perry, 18-yd TD29% → 50%Q1 5:01
  3. −22Ridder → Robinson, 71-yd TD50% → 28%Q1 4:13
  4. +23Miller 3-yd TD run27% → 50%Q2 11:04
  5. +28Carr → Olave, 26-yd TD50% → 78%Q3 13:01

Swing in Saints win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Falcons vs Saints
Atlanta FalconsMeasureNew Orleans Saints
60Plays66
58%Pass rate47%
8.9Yds / dropback7.9
3.1Yds / carry4.4
4/11Third downs3/10

Efficiency edge New Orleans ran 6 more plays and gained 1.3 more yards per carry.

  • Top targets
  • ATL London 26% · Robinson 24% · Smith 9%
  • NO Shaheed 16% · Hill 16% · Perry 12%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Falcons vs Saints
ResultATLNO
Touchdowns26
Field goals12
Punts54
Turnovers30
Turnovers on downs10

NO turnover edge: +3

  • The Falcons opened the scoring on their first possession, a 7-play, 79-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
  • The Saints scored touchdowns on two of their first three drives.
All 25 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
NOQ1 15:004102:39Punt
ATLQ1 12:217793:39Touchdown
NOQ1 8:427753:41Touchdown
ATLQ1 5:012750:48Touchdown
NOQ1 4:1316758:09Touchdown
ATLQ2 11:04352:21Punt
NOQ2 8:436324:08Punt
ATLQ2 4:35342:07Punt
NOQ2 2:288321:32Field goal
ATLQ2 0:5610630:56Field goal
ATLQ3 15:00321:24Interception
NOQ3 13:362250:35Touchdown
ATLQ3 13:01391:26Punt
NOQ3 11:355802:41Touchdown
ATLQ3 8:5414737:40Downs
NOQ3 1:1412926:17Field goal
ATLQ4 9:573-120:48Fumble
NOQ4 9:091100:07Touchdown
ATLQ4 9:02341:00Punt
NOQ4 8:02301:32Punt
ATLQ4 6:303-51:57Punt
NOQ4 4:333-132:26Punt
ATLQ4 2:074230:54Interception
NOQ4 1:13110:03Touchdown
ATLQ4 1:103171:10End of game
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 2023 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Falcons vs Saints
FalconsStatSaints
7-10Record9-8
18.9Points per game23.6
334.3Yards per game337.2
5.2Yards per play5.1
21.9Points allowed per game19.2
321.1Yards allowed per game327.2

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

2023 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Falcons vs Saints Game FAQ

Who won the 2023 Falcons vs Saints Week 18 game?

The New Orleans Saints beat the Atlanta Falcons 48–17 in Week 18 of the 2023 season. The game was played at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA, on January 7, 2024. See the Saints' 2023 schedule.

What was the final score of Falcons vs Saints?

The final score was Saints 48, Falcons 17. The teams were tied 17–17 at halftime, and the second half went Falcons 0, Saints 31.

What happened in the Falcons vs Saints game?

New Orleans broke a 17–17 halftime tie, outscoring Atlanta 31–0 after the break to win 48–17. The Saints finished with a narrow 400–389 edge in total offense. Derek Carr led all players with 22 of 28 passing for 264 yards and 4 touchdowns, plus a carry for 6 rushing yards. The Falcons committed 3 turnovers, the Saints none.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Falcons vs Saints?

Derek Carr led the game with 27.2 PPR fantasy points, the QB1 of Week 18, on 22 of 28 passing for 264 yards and 4 touchdowns, plus a carry for 6 rushing yards. Bijan Robinson was next with 26.1 (RB4).

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

Desmond Ridder (ATL) led all passers with 22 of 30 for 291 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception. Kendre Miller (NO) led in rushing with 13 carries for 73 yards and a touchdown. Bijan Robinson (ATL) led in receiving with 7 catches for 103 yards and a touchdown.

How many fantasy points did Derek Carr score against the Falcons?

Derek Carr scored 27.2 fantasy points against the Falcons in Week 18 of the 2023 season, the same in PPR, half-PPR and standard scoring because he had no catches, on 22 of 28 passing for 264 yards and 4 touchdowns, plus a carry for 6 rushing yards.

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

A.T. Perry outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 20.3 PPR points on 5.0 xFP (+15.3). Drake London fell furthest short, with 8.1 points on 15.0 xFP (−6.9). 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.

Who had the highest expected fantasy points in Falcons vs Saints?

Bijan Robinson had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 20.1 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 26.1. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the Saints beat the Falcons?

The Saints beat the Falcons 48–17 because they won the turnover battle 3–0 and outgained them 400–389.

Which team won the turnover battle in Falcons vs Saints?

The Saints won the turnover battle 3–0: the Falcons gave the ball away 3 times and the Saints not at all. The Saints won the game.

What was the turning point of Falcons vs Saints?

Derek Carr's 26-yard touchdown pass to Chris Olave with 13:01 left in the third quarter was the biggest swing of the game, moving the Saints' win probability from 50% to 78%.

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 18 of 2023, they last met in the 2023 season on November 26, 2023, when the Falcons beat the Saints 24–15.

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 is the Falcons vs Saints record since 2021?

The series is tied 5–5 across 10 meetings since the 2021 season, including this game.