CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 18: Juwan Johnson #83 of the New Orleans Saints runs the ball after making a catch Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on September 18, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
The New Orleans Saints were booed at home after a huge defeat to rivals, the Atlanta Falcons. On a night celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Superdome’s return after Hurricane Katrina, the Falcons won 45-24.
Saints fans were not happy with the performance on a special night for the team and the city. The fans made their feelings known, with boos coming down from the stands.
“Fans understandably are upset,” quarterback Tyler Shough said postgame. “We had some opportunities that we didn’t take advantage of, and you’re playing the Falcons, and you lose like that. I mean, I’d boo, too. That sucks.”
From the opening drive, the Falcons ran away with the game, jumping to a 14-0 first-quarter lead. The Falcons carried that momentum into the second half, leading 24-7 at the half.
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Cam Jordan said that New Orleans got “punched in the mouth early” and the Falcons “had their way today.”
The loss drops the Saints to 1-3, leaving them in third place as the Panthers and Falcons jump to 2-2 and take the top two spots in the division.
“I’m disappointed. More than anything, you lose to the Falcons like that, and especially on a Monday night game, it sucks,” said Sough. “There’s nothing you can say, like, ‘Ah man, it doesn’t suck.’ It definitely does. But I do know as a team that we’re extremely close, and we’re going to keep going and keep our eyes forward.”
“We have really good leadership, and our leadership on the team admits that we got to get better… There’s no hiding that. But at the same time, it is a long season, and there’s a lot of games yet to be played to where we can do that.”
Saints’ coach Kellen Moore agreed, calling the game “disappointing” for several reasons. One was that it was a Monday night matchup with an energetic crowd.
“The dome was an incredible night, incredible energy,” Moore said. “Didn’t coach well enough; didn’t play well enough. Obviously, it wasn’t good enough.
“It’s just disappointing for us, and I know there’s frustration for everyone.”
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