PHOTOS: Falcons defeat Saints to win season finale

Sports

PHOTOS: Falcons defeat Saints to win season finale

The Falcons closed out the 2025 season with a 19-17 victory over the Saints on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins throws the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London attempts a catch under pressure from New Orleans Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry during the second half of an NFL football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro attempts to block New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough during the second half of an NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons defensive end Lacale London (second from front left) tackles New Orleans Saints running back Audric Estime (second from right) during the second half of an NFL football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney steps out of bounds after a catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson shakes hands with New Orleans Saints players after the game, in which the Falcons defeated the New Orleans Saints 19-17 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford intercepts the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson runs for yards during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons players celebrate with cornerback Dee Alford after an interception in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (center) reacts after an interception in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford reacts with teammates after an interception in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford reacts after an interception in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford tries to avoid a tackle after an interception in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons sideline personnel cheer as Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford runs with the ball after an interception in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford runs with the ball after an interception in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford intercepts the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich fist-bumps Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris after a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Ford Jr. reacts after a play in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons defensive line coach Nate Ollie calls a play from the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

New Orleans Saints cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry rejects the ball, but Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. catches it during the second half of an NFL football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris signals from the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier breaks a tackle during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins attempts a pass during the first half of an NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Kentavius Street sacks New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London attempts a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons players celebrate with Falcons wide receiver Drake London (second from left) after his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (front right) attempts to tackle New Orleans Saints running back Nyheim Hines (second from left) during the first half of an NFL football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson rushes with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons players celebrate with Falcons wide receiver Drake London after his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson runs for yards during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (left) and Atlanta Falcons tight end Feleipe Franks (right) react after a punt block recovery during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London is seen
during his team’s warm-ups ahead of the Falcons’ matchup with the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Atlanta Falcons offensive line coach/running game coordinator Dwayne Ledford embraces Falcons offensive tackle Elijah Wilkinson during the team’s warm-ups as the Falcons prepare to face the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

1/33

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins throws the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Today's Gallery Headlines

Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints

PHOTOS: Falcons defeat Saints to win season finale

Juwad Maynard holds a banner during a protest in Atlanta on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, against the U.S. military action in Venezuela. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

PHOTOS: People gather in downtown Atlanta to protest U.S. military action in Venezuela

People prepare to run the Polar Opposite Peachtree Road Race on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Atlanta. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

PHOTOS: Thousands run AJC Polar Opposite Peactree Road Race

Sugar Bowl Game

PHOTOS: Georgia upset by Ole Miss in Sugar Bowl

More Galleries

Sugar Bowl Game

PHOTOS: Georgia prepares for Sugar Bowl

NYE revelers ring in 2026 watching Digital Drone Peach in the Sky

PHOTOS: Atlanta welcomes 2026 with fireworks, drone show

Photos of AJC’s final run

PHOTOS: The final print run of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

123125 sugar bowl parade

PHOTOS: Sugar Bowl Parade