The New Orleans Saints once again failed to secure a second win in a row, falling to the Atlanta Falcons in the Caesars Superdome on Sunday. Safety Justin Reid was responsible for 60% of the Saints' points, making him my player of the game.
There wasn't much to say about the team in the 24-10 loss, however, Reid's pick-six of Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins was an early highlight moment. The seven-year NFL vet was also tied for second on the team in tackles, with seven. Only Demario Davis had more, with 11.
Postgame, Reid said that it felt good scoring in front of the home crowd. However, he credited his teammates and coaches. "It was really a result of my teammates, as a result of coach staley making a great play call, my teammates doing their job - kool-aid helping get the pop-up - I also got a couple of teammates to help with some blocks to help me get there end the end zone as well," he said to the media. "It was just a great defensive snap all the way around and was a very cool moment for me."
Saints S Justin Reid was just a rookie last time he scored a touchdown
It's been a few years since Justin Reid has scored a touchdown in the National Football League. The last time he did, Ariana Grande was topping the charts, and not with anything from the movie Wicked; it was for her song Thank U, Next, which came out in 2018. Back then, Reid was still a rookie with the Houston Texans.
The Sunday afternoon touchdown was his first interception of the 2025 season, as well as the Saints defense's first touchdown of the season. Now Reid is just one behind cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry for most INTs on the year. Fellow safety Jonas Sanker also has a single interception this year, along with cornerbacks Alontae Taylor and Quincy Riley.
Reid's pick six is also the first interception return for a touchdown the Saints had was via Tyrann Mathieu in 2023 versus the New England Patriots. Ironic seeing that Reid has a history of following Mathieu. First to the Texans, then to the Chiefs, then the Saints and now Reid has came right after Mathieu in this specific stat.