2 weeks Ago
New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson (96) competes against Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Jake Matthews (70) during an NFL game at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday, January 7, 2024. (Staff photo by Brett Duke, The Times-Picayune) Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save The New Orleans Saints hope to end a seven-game losing streak when they host the Atlanta Falcons at noon on Sunday in the Caesars Superdome. This is the place to keep up with the score and live updates.
This is Darren Rizzi's first game as interim Saints head coach after Dennis Allen was fired on Monday following two-plus years in charge. The Atlanta Falcons sit in first place in the NFC South with a record of 6-3. The Saints are tied with the Carolina Panthers for last in the division at 2-7.
The Falcons beat the Saints 26-24 on a last minute field goal on Sept. 29. Follow along for the latest from the game below.
UPDATED, 10:36 a.m.: Welcome to the latest edition of the Saints live blog from the Times-Picayune.
I'm deputy sports editor Zach Ewing, and maybe I should say the first Saints live blog of the Darren Rizzi era. The Saints play the Falcons in about 90 minutes, and Rizzi will make his debut as New Orleans' interim head coach. There's been lots of talk at the Saints facility this week about renewed energy and focus; now we see if that's real.
What is definitely real is that the Saints still have injury trouble, no matter who's the coach. That's especially true at wide receiver and defensive back, and the inactives report underlines that: Cedrick Wilson is inactive with an injury, joining top receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed and rookie Bub Means on the shelf. Kool-Aid McKinstry is also down, joining Paulson Adebo, and of course the Saints traded Marshon Lattimore to Washington this week.
That leaves Alontae Taylor as the top corner, with Shemar Jean-Charles and perhaps Rico Payton or Ugo Amadi in support. At receiver, the situation is even more dire, with Marquez Valdes-Scantling the team's top receiver, followed by some combination of Mason Tipton, Dante Pettis, Kevin Austin and Jermaine Jackson. On the flip side, the red-hot Falcons, winners of five of their past six, will have top receiver Drake London, who was questionable.
Saints will definitely need that renewed energy..
