The Atlanta Falcons’ 20-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday was full of surprises.
The Falcons entered the game undefeated against NFC South teams and had won five of their last six games. Meanwhile, the Saints had lost seven in a row and were playing their first game after firing head coach Dennis Allen.
One of the biggest shocks was how Atlanta lost the game.
Although the Falcons outgained the Saints 468-365, they scored on only three of their 11 drives. Usually reliable kicker Younghoe Koo missed three field goals during the game.
Koo, who had kicked a 58-yard field goal to win the game against the Saints on September 29, missed from 53 and 35 yards in the second quarter. Then, with 6:43 left in the fourth quarter, he hit the upright on a 46-yard field goal attempt that would have tied the game.
Even though kickers in the NFL are often quickly replaced after mistakes, Atlanta head coach Raheem Morris still believes in Koo.
“When you talk about Younghoe Koo, you’re talking about the guy who hit a 52-yard field goal to send a game to overtime against Tampa, you’re talking about a guy who won the game last time we played New Orleans with a walk-off,” Morris said in his Monday press conference. “You’re talking about a guy that’s been clutch for us over the last couple of years in big moments.
“There’s going to be times that you don’t have the success that you want to have. We still have a lot of football to play, so those percentages will go back up, I believe, because of who he is, what he is, and what he’s all about.”
The Falcons (6-4) still lead the NFC South by two games over the Buccaneers. They will now prepare for a tough matchup against the Denver Broncos (5-5) as they travel to Denver for the first time since 2016.
Denver almost defeated the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday but lost 16-14 after Wil Lutz’s 35-yard field goal was blocked as time ran out.
Scoring 20 points has been key for Atlanta’s offense. The Falcons are 6-0 when they reach 20 points but 0-4 when they don’t. Despite Denver’s strong defense, Morris is confident the offense can succeed this week.
“I’ve got so much respect for (Denver defensive coordinator) Vance Joseph and what they’ve been able to do on defense. It’s been really fun to watch,” Morris said.
“But I’ve got so many expectations for our offense, and our ability to execute at a high level. From Darnell Mooney to Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, to Kyle Pitts, Drake London, we’ve all seen them do things at the highest level.
Along with our coaches and being able to orchestrate a game plan to go out there and attack any weaknesses they have in Denver. I’ve got a lot of confidence going out there.”
On the injury front, Morris said cornerback Mike Hughes (neck) has been cleared to play after leaving Sunday’s game with an injury and undergoing an MRI on Monday. However, the Falcons are more concerned about defensive lineman Ta’Quon Graham, who injured his pectoral muscle and did not return to the game.
Linebacker Troy Andersen (knee) made his return from a five-game injury absence, but Morris revealed that Andersen re-injured his knee during the game against the Saints.
“But we’ll get the chance to re-evaluate him today and tomorrow,” Morris said, “do some of the things of that nature.”
