Falcons Defy Odds with Gritty Wins Despite Challenges

The Atlanta Falcons are becoming known for winning ugly, but they’re not complaining. In the 2024 NFL season, instead of being 0-4, the Falcons find themselves at 2-2, and they’re more than happy to take the wins, regardless of how unorthodox the path to victory might be. This trend continued Sunday when the Falcons managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat against the New Orleans Saints at their home stadium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Despite being outplayed for much of the game, Atlanta managed a 26-24 victory, courtesy of a dramatic 58-yard field goal by kicker Younghoe Koo.

It was a moment of triumph for Koo, as the field goal marked the longest of his seven-year NFL career. But the Falcons’ victory was anything but assured for most of the game. The Saints appeared to have control, outgaining the Falcons in total offense, racking up more first downs, and performing better in the red zone. However, the Falcons, displaying a resilience that has defined their season, fought back when it mattered most.

The Falcons’ win over the Saints was reminiscent of their second game of the season against the Philadelphia Eagles, a game where they were all but beaten—until they weren’t. In that game, a series of odd coaching decisions by the Eagles gave the Falcons new life. Trailing by six points with barely a minute left, the Falcons engineered a 70-yard scoring drive to tie the game. They would go on to win in overtime, stealing a victory from a game they seemed destined to lose.

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris was quick to dismiss the idea that his team’s success has been a result of luck or destiny. “No, I don’t feel like Cinderella,” Morris said after the Saints game. “I feel like you’ve got to go out there and play every single game, and you’ve got to try to go out there and win. And the more poised team usually wins. Right now, I’m trying to show my team poise and show them what it looks and feels like, what it feels like to be resilient. They’re showing us, and they’re showing our city.”

Indeed, the Falcons are proving they can’t be ignored until the final whistle. After a seven-year playoff drought, the team made several key moves in the offseason to bolster their chances. One of the most significant changes was the hiring of Raheem Morris as head coach. With a new regime in place, the Falcons sought further upgrades, especially at quarterback.

The team’s struggles at the quarterback position were well-documented. After trading longtime franchise quarterback Matt Ryan following the 2021 season, the Falcons went through a revolving door of signal-callers, including Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder. Seeking stability, the Falcons made a blockbuster move by signing veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to a massive $180 million contract. Cousins, a perennial Pro Bowl selection, brought both experience and consistency to the position, something the Falcons sorely needed.

But Cousins wasn’t the only big-name acquisition. The Falcons also added edge rusher Matthew Judon, a four-time Pro Bowler, who had been seeking a more lucrative contract with the New England Patriots. Although Judon ultimately settled for a one-year deal worth $6.5 million, his presence has bolstered the Falcons’ pass rush, which had been one of the weakest in the NFL over the past five seasons.

In addition to Cousins and Judon, the Falcons fortified their defense by signing Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons to a one-year, $8 million contract. With these additions, Atlanta’s defense, which had been historically porous, now had the talent to complement its offense.

Yet, despite these high-profile acquisitions, the Falcons’ biggest asset so far has been something less tangible: sheer grit and determination—or, as some might say, luck. Against the Saints, Atlanta was outgained in almost every major statistical category. The Saints had more first downs (25 to 14), more offensive plays (70 to 51), and more yards, both passing and rushing. The Saints were also more efficient in the red zone, converting 3 out of 4 opportunities compared to the Falcons’ 0-for-1 performance. Even in penalties, the Falcons were on the losing end, committing nine infractions for 76 yards, compared to the Saints’ six penalties for 60 yards.

However, the one area where the Falcons gained the upper hand was in turnovers. The Saints committed two costly turnovers, and the Falcons capitalized, scoring touchdowns after each one. One of those touchdowns came courtesy of the Falcons’ special teams, while the other was a defensive score. These pivotal moments swung the game in Atlanta’s favor, allowing them to pull off another improbable victory.

The Saints also suffered a significant blow when Taysom Hill, their versatile offensive weapon and a consistent thorn in the Falcons’ side, left the game in the second half due to a chest injury. Hill had already scored two touchdowns in the first half, and his absence loomed large in the game’s final moments.

Ultimately, the Falcons’ ability to hang around until the end and capitalize on their opponents’ mistakes has defined their season so far. Whether it’s luck, good fortune, or simply finding ways to win when it matters most, the Falcons are proving that they can be a force to be reckoned with, even when the odds seem stacked against them.

As they continue their quest to make the playoffs for the first time in seven years, the Falcons are showing that they can’t be counted out. With Kirk Cousins leading the offense and a revamped defense making timely plays, this Atlanta team is determined to keep defying the odds—ugly or not.