The losing streak is over. After seven straight losses and one fired coach, the New Orleans Saints are finally back in the win column. To make things sweeter, they picked up a Week 10 win against their biggest rival, the Atlanta Falcons.
The 20-17 win came down to the final play, and it clearly meant a lot to the Saints. That was evident in the team’s immediate celebration as the clock hit zero. The entire team ran over to interim head coach Darren Rizzi to celebrate his first win as a head coach, and the guys were a bit too excited, because Rizzi almost fell to the ground.
However, just like the game, a late save kept Rizzi on his feet, and the celebrations resumed.
DARREN RIZZI 1-0 pic.twitter.com/Cyc3CzqigZ
— Saints Film Room (@SaintsFilmRoom) November 10, 2024
After the game, the interim head coach explained that veteran defensive end Payton Turner accidentally hit him in a spot where he has a history of stingers. Rizzi said that temporarily made his entire arm go numb, resulting in what everyone saw.
Darren Rizzi talking about the end of the game and what appeared to look like him being injured in the victory celebration.#Saints pic.twitter.com/cUYW5UFuCt
— Fletcher Mackel (@FletcherWDSU) November 10, 2024
Saints end seven-game losing streak with win over Falcons
New Orleans is now 3-7 after Sunday’s win. Rizzi made it clear the team would be a passionate team with plenty of fight under his leadership, and that was on display during the game Sunday. Quite a few things didn’t go New Orleans’ way, like Alvin Kamara uncharacteristically dropping a game-sealing touchdown, but the team never faltered.
The offense had impressive moments, with Marques Valdes-Scantling emerging from an injured receiving room, and the defense had one of their best outings of the season, making multiple big stops throughout the game. The Saints also had some things go their way, like three missed field goals from Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo.
Ultimately, it’s just one win, but when you’ve been losing like New Orleans has the last two months, one win is everything. So the celebrations will certainly continue in the locker room, as the Saints can finally return to Club Dub. The team just needs to be safe and make sure no one gets injured.