New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2024 Week 4 Recap

Game story

In Week 4 of the 2024 NFL season on 2024-09-29, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the New Orleans Saints, pulling away with a 26–24 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

D. Carr (New Orleans Saints) paced the passing game, with -1.55 total EPA, and +4.9% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, T. Hill (New Orleans Saints) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.15 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+49.7% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (:07) 6-Y.Koo 58 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 T. Hill · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +5.15 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.86 EPA/play
2. 2 T. Allgeier · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +2.72 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
3. 3 B. Robinson · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.01 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Mooney · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.92 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
5. 5 T. Allgeier · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.90 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.95 EPA/play
6. 6 R. Shaheed · New Orleans Saints · Rushing · +1.20 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Tipton · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +1.13 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.13 EPA/play
8. 8 A. Kamara · New Orleans Saints · Receiving · +0.75 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Atlanta Falcons — B. Pinion (Q1 56:25)
• New Orleans Saints — T. Hill (Q1 51:43)
• New Orleans Saints — T. Hill (Q2 43:46)
• Atlanta Falcons — T. Andersen (Q2 38:05)
• New Orleans Saints — A. Kamara (Q4 1:04)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — Y. Koo (Q2 40:02)
• Atlanta Falcons — Y. Koo (Q3 21:50)
• New Orleans Saints — B. Grupe (Q3 16:08)
• Atlanta Falcons — Y. Koo (Q4 10:13)
• Atlanta Falcons — Y. Koo (Q4 0:07)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 13–7. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NO 46 (Q1 56:25); Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q1 56:13) — 6-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 2 (Q1 51:43) — (6:43) (Shotgun) 74-O.Udoh reported in as eligible. Direct snap to 7-T.Hill. 7-T.Hill right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 15 (Q1 51:39) — 19-B.Grupe extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-43-M.Hayball..

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–7. New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 5 (Q2 43:46) — (13:46) 7-T.Hill left tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q2 43:42) — 19-B.Grupe extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-43-M.Hayball.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 35 (Q2 40:02) — (10:02) 6-Y.Koo 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the ATL 57 (Q2 38:05); Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NO 15 (Q2 37:54) — 6-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 26 (Q3 21:50); New Orleans Saints connected on a field goal from the ATL 25 (Q3 16:08) — (1:08) 19-B.Grupe 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-43-M.Hayball..

The fourth quarter: New Orleans Saints won the period 13–6. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 24 (Q4 10:13) — (10:13) 6-Y.Koo 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q4 1:04) — (1:04) 41-A.Kamara left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New Orleans Saints found the end zone from the ATL 15 (Q4 1:00) — 19-B.Grupe extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-43-M.Hayball.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NO 40 (Q4 0:07) — (:07) 6-Y.Koo 58 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 0:07) — (:07) 6-Y.Koo 58 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion. [WPA +49.7% · EPA +1.38]
• New Orleans Saints (Q2 38:05) — (8:05) (Shotgun) 4-D.Carr pass short left intended for 12-C.Olave INTERCEPTED by 44-T.Andersen (15-M.Judon) at NO 47. 44-T.Andersen for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -26.3% · EPA -8.65]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 0:29) — (:29) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass incomplete deep right to 1-D.Mooney. PENALTY on NO-29-P.Adebo, Defensive Pass Interference, 30 yards, enforced at ATL 30 - No Play. [WPA +22.2% · EPA +1.30]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 56:25) — (11:25) 13-B.Pinion punts 43 yards to NO 3, Center-49-L.McCullough. 22-R.Shaheed MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by ATL-12-K.Hodge at NO -8. TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +21.1% · EPA +7.02]
• New Orleans Saints (Q4 0:02) — 6-Y.Koo kicks 66 yards from ATL 35 to NO -1. 22-R.Shaheed to NO 14 for 15 yards. Lateral to 21-Ja.Williams to NO 15 for 1 yard (27-R.Grant). [WPA -17.1% · EPA -0.02]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• New Orleans Saints (Q2 38:05) — (8:05) (Shotgun) 4-D.Carr pass short left intended for 12-C.Olave INTERCEPTED by 44-T.Andersen (15-M.Judon) at NO 47. 44-T.Andersen for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -26.3% · EPA -8.65]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 56:25) — (11:25) 13-B.Pinion punts 43 yards to NO 3, Center-49-L.McCullough. 22-R.Shaheed MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by ATL-12-K.Hodge at NO -8. TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +21.1% · EPA +7.02]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 49:52) — (4:52) (Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass short middle intended for 34-R.McCloud INTERCEPTED by 29-P.Adebo [93-N.Shepherd] at NO 46. 29-P.Adebo to NO 47 for 1 yard (25-T.Allgeier). [WPA -11.8% · EPA -4.95]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 25:37) — (10:37) (Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass deep right to 1-D.Mooney to ATL 46 for 36 yards (29-P.Adebo). Penalty on NO-29-P.Adebo, Defensive Pass Interference, declined. [WPA +6.8% · EPA +2.99]

Quarterback report card

D.Carr led all passers in efficiency for New Orleans Saints, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• D.Carr (New Orleans Saints) · 41 dropbacks · 68.3% completion · +4.9% CPOE · -0.04 EPA/play · -1.55 total EPA
• K.Cousins (Atlanta Falcons) · 40 dropbacks · 52.5% completion · -6.8% CPOE · -0.08 EPA/play · -3.01 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (New Orleans Saints +0.05, Atlanta Falcons +0.08) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Atlanta Falcons: 10 drives, +6.12 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New Orleans Saints: 10 drives, +4.34 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Atlanta Falcons leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• T. Hill (New Orleans Saints) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• D. Carr (NO) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• K. Cousins (ATL) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 56:25 · NO 46 · Score 0-6
   (11:25) 13-B.Pinion punts 43 yards to NO 3, Center-49-L.McCullough. 22-R.Shaheed MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by ATL-12-K.Hodge at NO -8. TOUCHDOWN.
2. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 56:13 · NO 15 · Score 0-7
   6-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.
3. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q1 51:43 · ATL 2 · Score 6-7
   (6:43) (Shotgun) 74-O.Udoh reported in as eligible. Direct snap to 7-T.Hill. 7-T.Hill right tackle for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. New Orleans Saints TD (+7) — Q1 51:39 · ATL 15 · Score 7-7
   19-B.Grupe extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-43-M.Hayball.
5. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q2 43:46 · ATL 5 · Score 13-7
   (13:46) 7-T.Hill left tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. New Orleans Saints XP (+1) — Q2 43:42 · ATL 15 · Score 14-7
   19-B.Grupe extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-43-M.Hayball.
7. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 40:02 · NO 35 · Score 14-10
   (10:02) 6-Y.Koo 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.
8. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 38:05 · ATL 57 · Score 14-16
   (8:05) (Shotgun) 4-D.Carr pass short left intended for 12-C.Olave INTERCEPTED by 44-T.Andersen (15-M.Judon) at NO 47. 44-T.Andersen for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 37:54 · NO 15 · Score 14-17
   6-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.
10. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q3 21:50 · NO 26 · Score 14-20
    (6:50) 6-Y.Koo 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion. ** Injury Update: NO-1-A.Taylor has returned to the game.
11. New Orleans Saints FG (+3) — Q3 16:08 · ATL 25 · Score 17-20
    (1:08) 19-B.Grupe 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-43-M.Hayball.
12. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 10:13 · NO 24 · Score 17-23
    (10:13) 6-Y.Koo 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.
13. New Orleans Saints TD (+6) — Q4 1:04 · ATL 1 · Score 23-23
    (1:04) 41-A.Kamara left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
14. New Orleans Saints TD (+7) — Q4 1:00 · ATL 15 · Score 24-23
    19-B.Grupe extra point is GOOD, Center-49-Z.Wood, Holder-43-M.Hayball.
15. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 0:07 · NO 40 · Score 24-26
    (:07) 6-Y.Koo 58 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.