Atlanta Falcons Lead New Orleans Saints at Halftime as Bijan Robinson, Jessie Bates Star
The Atlanta Falcons (4-6) are 30 minutes away from being back atop the NFC South, as they hold a 14-9 lead over the New Orleans Saints (5-5) after the first half in Sunday's game inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
After the two sides traded three-and-out's to start the game, the Saints drew first blood on their second series.
Quarterback Derek Carr found receiver Chris Olave for a 50-yard gain, and running back Alvin Kamara took a handoff eight yards on 3rd and 5 to keep the chains moving.
Atlanta's defense held serve in a goal-to-go situation and forced New Orleans to settle for a field goal, with kicker Blake Grupe hitting a 25-yard chip shot to give the Saints a 3-0 lead.
The Falcons' offense also experienced more success on the second drive, as quarterback Desmond Ridder and receiver Drake London connected for a 25-yard pickup to move into New Orleans territory.
But this promising possession came up empty, as Atlanta went for it on 4th and 2 from the Saints' 31-yard line and saw Ridder get dropped for a loss on a read option.
New Orleans kept its foot on the gas pedal, marching deep into Atlanta territory spearheaded by a 36-yard pass from Carr to versatile offensive weapon Taysom Hill.
The Saints appeared poised to extend their lead and throw an early gut punch at the Falcons - but Atlanta safety Jessie Bates III had different plans, intercepting Carr and returning it 92 yards back to the endzone for a touchdown.
Nov 26, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III (3) reacts after a stop against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
With Mercedes-Benz Stadium coming to life, Carr led the Saints back into Falcons territory but once again was stopped before reaching the endzone.
Grupe made a 52-yard field goal, but Atlanta maintained a 7-6 lead.
Ridder and the Falcons' offense returned to the field after 25 minutes of live time on the sidelines and showed no signs of rust, putting together a 10-play, 78-yard drive that ended with a 10-yard touchdown run by rookie running back Bijan Robinson, extending the lead to 14-6.
But the Saints, as they did throughout the entire first half, continued to move the ball - until they stalled once again. Their 12-play, 52-yard drive ended with a 41-yard field goal by Grupe, trimming the deficit to 14-9.
Atlanta's offense received the ball with just under four minutes to play and had a chance to seize all momentum entering the locker room - and it was en route to doing exactly that.
A pair of third down conversions - the first by Ridder on a scramble and the second an 11-yard rush on 3rd and 8 by Cordarrelle Patterson - gave the Falcons life ... until Ridder threw an interception to Tyrann Mathieu on 1st and Goal with less than 30 seconds to play.
Ridder concluded the first half with seven completions for 77 yards on 12 attempts while adding 33 yards on four runs. Atlanta rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown on 20 attempts.
Carr went 13 of 22 for 189 yards, with Olave his favorite target at seven receptions for 114 yards.
The Falcons are set to receive the kickoff to start the second half.
