Photos: Falcons fall to Saints in OT in NFC South matchup

Sports

Photos: Falcons fall to Saints in OT in NFC South matchup

NFC South rivalry loss drops Falcons to 1-2.

**** VISUAL LEDE **** September 23, 2018 Atlanta: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees goes over the top for the winning touchdown in overtime to beat the Atlanta Falcons 43-37 in an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

September 23, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley reacts to catching his second touchdown pass from Matt Ryan for a 14-13 lead over the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter in an NFL game on Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

9/23/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) evades a Saint's rush and manages to throw the ball away in the first half. The Atlanta Falcons played the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/23/18 - Atlanta - Falcon defenders stop New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) short of the goal line to force a field goal. The Atlanta Falcons played the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/23/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) scores his first TD of the day in the first half. The Atlanta Falcons played the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

September 23, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley catches a touchdown pass past New Orleans Saints cornerback P.J. Williams to tie the game 7-7 during the first quarter in an NFL game on Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

9/23/18 - Atlanta - New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) goes over the top to score the winning touchdown in OT. Atlanta Falcons linebacker Foye Oluokun (54) and Atlanta Falcons defensive end Jack Crawford (95) try to defend. The Atlanta Falcons played the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/23/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) and Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) celebrate Ridley's 2nd TD. The Atlanta Falcons played the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/23/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) celebrates with Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley (18) after Ridley's first TD. The Atlanta Falcons played the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/23/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Atlanta Falcons center Alex Mack (51) take the field for pregame warmups. The Atlanta Falcons played the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

September 23, 2018 Atlanta: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees dives into the endzone past Atlanta Falcons defenders Brian Poole and Robert Alford on a quarterback keeper to tie the game 37-37 in the fourth quarter and send it to overtime in an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, in Atlanta. The Saints won the toss getting the ball first and Brees also scored the winning touchdown in overtime. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

September 23, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian react on the sidelines as the New Orleans Saints win the game 43-37 on a Dree Brees touchdown in overtime during an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

September 23, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons safety Ricardo Allen leaves the game with an injury during the second half against the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

September 23, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons fans sit dejected in the stands after falling 43-37 to the New Orleans Saints during overtime in an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

September 23, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees embrace after the Saints beat the Falcons 43-37 during overtime in an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

September 23, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman dives into the endzone for a touchdown and a 27-23 lead against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter in an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

September 23, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant canât stop New Orleans Saints fullback Zach Line from getting in the endzone for a 30-29 lead during the fourth quarter in an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

September 23, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu scores a touchdown for a 35-30 lead over the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter in an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

September 23, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu catches a 2-point conversion for a 37-30 lead over the New Orleans Saints past defender P.J. Williams during the fourth quarter in an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

September 23, 2018 Atlanta: New Orleans Saints linebacker Craig Robertson beats out Atlanta Falcons Foyesade Oluokun to recover a blocked punt against the Falcons during the third quarter in an NFL football game setting up a Saints touchdown on Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

9/23/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons defensive end Brooks Reed (50) can't get to New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) in the second half. The Atlanta Falcons played the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/23/18 - Atlanta - New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) gets a pass off under pressure in the 2nd half. Atlanta Falcons defensive end Brooks Reed (50) can't get to New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) in the second half. The Atlanta Falcons played the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/23/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons linebacker Vic Beasley (44) manages a sack on New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) in the second half. The Atlanta Falcons played the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/23/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) gets a pass off under pressure in the second half. The Atlanta Falcons played the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/23/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws deep for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) in the second half, setting up a falcons touchdown. The Atlanta Falcons played the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/23/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) catches a two point conversion in the end zone in the second half. The Atlanta Falcons played the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/23/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) makes a long reception of a Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) pass to set up a Falcons touchdown in the second half. The Atlanta Falcons played the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/23/18 - Atlanta - New Orleans Saints linebacker Craig Robertson (52) recovered a blocked Falcons punt in the second half. The Atlanta Falcons played the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/23/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons center Alex Mack (51) can't keep Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) out of the grasp of New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (98) on the Falcons last possession in the second half. The Atlanta Falcons played the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/23/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons linebacker De'Vondre Campbell (59), Atlanta Falcons defensive back Desmond Trufant (21), Atlanta Falcons defensive end Brooks Reed (50) and Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (97) react after the Saint's scored an apparent touchdown to win in OT. It was ruled short of the goal line but the Saint's went on to score on the next play. The Atlanta Falcons played the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/23/18 - Atlanta - New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) scores a touchdown which tied the score after the second half beating defenders Atlanta Falcons cornerback Damontae Kazee (27) and Atlanta Falcons linebacker Duke Riley (42). The Atlanta Falcons played the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/23/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (26) on a long catch and run that set up a Falcons touchdown in the second half. The Atlanta Falcons played the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/23/18 - Atlanta - The Atlanta Falcons played the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

9/23/18 - Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons cornerback Damontae Kazee (27) and Atlanta Falcons cornerback Brian Poole (34) slow down New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) on the Saints tying scoring drive at the end of the second half. The Atlanta Falcons played the New Orleans Saints in an NFL football game Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. BOB ANDRES /BANDRES@AJC.COM

September 23, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons linebacker Vic Beasley Jr. sacks New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees during the third quarter in an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

September 23, 2018 Atlanta: Atlanta Falcons linebacker Vic Beasley Jr. sacks New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees during the third quarter in an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

1/36

**** VISUAL LEDE **** September 23, 2018 Atlanta: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees goes over the top for the winning touchdown in overtime to beat the Atlanta Falcons 43-37 in an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept 23, 2018, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Today's Gallery Headlines

The Center tour

PHOTOS: An early look at CNN Center's redevelopment in downtown Atlanta

Wayfair Tour

PHOTOS: Wayfair opens first Atlanta store

Atlanta Hawks host the Boston Celtics

PHOTOS: Hawks defeat Celtics in key East battle

People march in Bishop Park in Athens on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Protesters gathered in 10 different locations around Georgia’s Congressional District 10, leading up to a “Democracy Fair” at Bishop Park as part of a nationwide day of “No Kings” demonstrations. Organizers estimate that a few thousand people participated, many of them first-time protesters. (C.J. Bartunek for the AJC)

PHOTOS: 'No Kings' rally at Bishop Park in Athens, Ga.

More Galleries

Georgia's NFL Pro Day

PHOTOS: UGA Pro Day draws Falcons, others

Atlanta Hawks host the Orlando Magic in an NBA game

PHOTOS: Magic night as Hawks continue winning streak

6A Girls Grayson vs. North Paulding

Photos: North Paulding girls defeat Grayson for a 6A basketball state championship

6A Boys Wheeler vs. Pebblebrook

Photos: Wheeler defeats Pebblebook to claim 2026 state championship