Bijan Robinson Leads Falcons Past Saints 45-24 on Superdome Anniversary/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Bijan Robinson rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns as Atlanta defeated New Orleans 45-24 on Monday night. Brian Robinson Jr. added three rushing scores, helping the Falcons dominate the ground game and improve to 2-2. The Saints fell to 1-3 on a night honoring the 20th anniversary of the Superdome’s reopening after Hurricane Katrina.
Quick Look
- Final score: Atlanta beat New Orleans 45-24 without trailing.
- Bijan's performance: Robinson ran for 145 yards and two touchdowns, including a 59-yard score on Atlanta’s third play.
- Three more rushing scores: Brian Robinson Jr. contributed three short touchdown runs.
- Ground-game advantage: The Falcons outrushed the Saints 205 yards to 50.
- Efficient quarterback play: Michael Penix Jr. completed 15 of 20 passes for 223 yards and a touchdown.
- Saints’ response: Alvin Kamara scored twice, while Tyler Shough passed for 286 yards and a late touchdown.
- Anniversary ceremony: Steve Gleason and former Saints teammates helped commemorate the Superdome’s 2006 reopening.
- Next games: Atlanta hosts Baltimore on Sunday night; New Orleans hosts Minnesota on Sunday.
Deep Look
Bijan Robinson’s Early Touchdown Sets Tone for Falcons
NEW ORLEANS — Bijan Robinson gave Atlanta an immediate advantage Monday night, breaking loose for a 59-yard touchdown on the Falcons’ third offensive play.
He finished with 145 rushing yards and two scores as Atlanta defeated New Orleans 45-24, dampening a celebration marking 20 years since the Superdome reopened after Hurricane Katrina.
Robinson said the Falcons wanted to quiet the stadium quickly “and make sure that pin drop happens in the first quarter.”
“For it to come after that third play was pretty special,” Robinson said. “We just went back to the sideline and said, ‘That’s what we talked about — make sure that we put it on them early so the crowd doesn’t become an issue.’”
Atlanta Dominates Ground Game With Five Rushing Touchdowns
Brian Robinson Jr. added three short touchdown runs as Atlanta improved to 2-2.
The Falcons never trailed and controlled the line of scrimmage, finishing with 205 rushing yards compared with New Orleans’ 50.
Atlanta has scored 80 points across its past two games, following a 35-14 victory at Green Bay.
Brian Robinson Jr. described that stretch as “the most fun I’ve had in my career.”
“We can be as good as we want to be,” he said.
Penix Delivers Efficient Performance in Second Game Back
Michael Penix Jr. continued his successful return from a major knee injury suffered in 2025.
After returning last week against Green Bay, the Atlanta quarterback completed 15 of 20 attempts for 223 yards and a touchdown against the Saints.
His 31-yard touchdown pass to Jahan Dotson in the fourth quarter prompted some New Orleans fans to leave the stadium.
“Mike played well; he took care of the football and made some really good throws,” Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said. “I really like his demeanor and how he is operating.”
Shough Calls Saints’ Showing Embarrassing
New Orleans fell to 1-3, drawing boos from its home crowd during another difficult performance.
Saints quarterback Tyler Shough described the showing as “embarrassing.” He passed for 286 yards and connected with Devaughn Vele for a late touchdown.
“Fans understandably are upset,” said Shough. ”You’re playing the Falcons and you lose like that? I’d boo, too.”
Alvin Kamara scored his first two touchdowns of the season. His second narrowed Atlanta’s advantage to 31-17 early in the fourth quarter, but New Orleans could not sustain a comeback.
“We’re all frustrated, all disappointed with where we’re at,” Saints second-year coach Kellen Moore said.
Early Mistakes Deepen New Orleans’ Deficit
For the fourth time in four games, the Saints fell behind early.
Daniel Carlson missed a 52-yard field goal attempt, and Kendre Miller lost a fumble at the New Orleans 22-yard line on the following possession.
Atlanta converted that turnover into a 4-yard touchdown run by Bijan Robinson, extending its lead to 14-0.
A third-down defensive holding penalty against cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry helped set up the score.
Anniversary Game Recalls Saints’ Emotional 2006 Return
The matchup commemorated the Superdome’s reopening after Hurricane Katrina, when New Orleans defeated Atlanta 23-3 on a Monday night in Week 3 of the 2006 season.
Steve Gleason’s blocked punt for a touchdown on Atlanta’s opening possession became the defining moment of that game.
Like the meeting two decades earlier, Atlanta wore red and received the opening kickoff Monday. This time, however, the Falcons quickly scored rather than punting.
Moore had shown his players videos about Hurricane Katrina and the stadium’s reopening before the anniversary game.
“This was a special night,” he said.
“We understood the opportunity and I thought there was great energy,” but the Falcons “were able to get things going early and we weren’t able to catch up,” Moore said.
Gleason and Former Saints Lead Pregame Ceremony
Former Saints Drew Brees, Scott Fujita, Scott Shanle, Deuce McAllister, Devery Henderson and Curtis Deloatch joined Gleason on the field before kickoff.
Wearing white jerseys, the group led fans in the familiar “Who dat!” chant.
Gleason, who uses a wheelchair because of ALS, was accompanied by his son, Rivers. Rivers raised and lowered his father’s arm to signal the chant’s start.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell attended and spoke with Saints owner Gayle Benson and other dignitaries on the home sideline during warmups.
Injuries Affect Both Teams
Atlanta defensive end Za’Darius Smith received several minutes of treatment on the field. A stretcher was brought out, but he was able to walk to the sideline and entered concussion protocol.
Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews exited in the first quarter with a groin injury.
New Orleans played without defensive starters Carl Granderson, who had an ankle injury, and linebacker Kaden Ellis, who had a calf injury. Both were ruled out Saturday.
Tight end Noah Fant was a game-night scratch with an abdominal injury.
Falcons Face Baltimore as Saints Prepare for Minnesota
Atlanta hosts Baltimore on Sunday night.
New Orleans remains home to face Minnesota on Sunday.
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