Atlanta Falcons score first touchdown against New Orleans Saints in the most unlikely way

ATLANTA – The Atlanta Falcons started Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with the ball in hand, and after their first drive the Falcons held a 7-0 lead.

But they did not achieve the result in the traditional way.

Atlanta was forced to punt just past midfield on 4th-and-12 after failing to overcome a 15-yard facemask penalty on left guard Matthew Bergeron.

As the ball sailed into the air off Falcons punter Bradley Pinion’s foot, Saints returner Rashid Shaheed slid to his right and pointed for a fair catch – inside his own five-yard line.

It was already questionable to attempt a fair catch in this part of the field, but Shaheed’s return reputation continued to deteriorate.

He botched the punt, which led to a mad dash after the ball, which bounced off Shaheed’s hands and into the end zone. Shaheed and Falcons gunners KhaDarel Hodge and Micah Abernathy respectively pounced. Abernathy’s hands hit the ball first, but Hodge eventually parried it.

Here’s a look at the unlikely special teams outcome…

Atlanta’s first offensive series covered eight plays for 39 yards, although only 24 yards were gained due to Bergeron’s penalty. Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​completed 4 of 6 passes for 37 yards, including a 13-yard gain to receiver Drake London that moved the Chains on 3rd-and-9. The play marked Atlanta’s first conversion on 3rd-and-9 yards or more this season.

Hodge’s touchdown is the Falcons’ first special teams score of the campaign, a significant breakthrough for special teams coordinator Marquice Williams and the rest of the unit.