NW Atlanta News

The Atlanta Falcons faced a narrow defeat against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at Caesars Superdome, losing by three points. The final score was 20-17 in favor of the Saints.

Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo missed three field goal attempts, including one that was blocked, leaving nine potential points on the field. This marked the first time in his seven-year career that Koo missed three kicks in a single game. Reflecting on his performance, Koo stated, "It's not the standard that I have for myself. This game is fully on me. I'll take that."

Koo's successful attempt was a 27-yard field goal in the third quarter, ending with a stat line of 1-of-4. Falcons head coach Raheem Morris commented on Koo's performance: "He had an off day... Shooters shoot."

The first miss occurred in the second quarter with a 53-yard attempt going wide left, leaving Atlanta trailing 3-0. The second misfire came when Saints defensive tackle John Ridgeway III blocked a 35-yard attempt, maintaining New Orleans' lead at halftime. In the fourth quarter, Koo's kick from 47 yards hit the upright and bounced away.

Despite these setbacks, Koo almost had another chance to redeem himself during Atlanta's last-chance drive but was thwarted by a sack and fumble as they crossed into New Orleans territory.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins expressed dissatisfaction with relying on field goals: "I don't feel great about leaving it in the hands of the field goal team's hands." He emphasized converting third downs and scoring touchdowns instead.

Atlanta struggled offensively, converting five out of fourteen third-down attempts and committing six penalties—four attributed to offensive plays.

Running back Bijan Robinson scored both of Atlanta’s touchdowns through a run and catch-and-run play. Despite Koo's misses, teammates like long snapper Liam McCullough maintained confidence in him: "We have so much faith in Koo."

This season, Koo has made seventeen out of twenty-four field goal attempts and has been successful from over fifty yards multiple times.

Reflecting on past successes such as his game-winning kick against the Saints earlier this season, Koo remarked: "It doesn't really matter what you have done in the past... I just got to move on."