Credit: AP Photo/Gerald Herbert
BY: MADDY BOLDEN
PUBLISHED: OCT 7, 2026 1:32 CT
Saints’ Blowout Loss Casts Shadow Over 20th Anniversary of ‘Domecoming’
Atlanta rolls past New Orleans 45-24 as Saints’ celebration of historic Superdome return ends in disappointment
What was supposed to be a celebration of one of the most emotional nights in New Orleans Saints history ended with disappointment Monday night.
Twenty years after the Saints returned to New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina with a memorable 23-3 victory over the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta once again left New Orleans with a win — this time a dominant 45-24 victory.
The loss overshadowed a night dedicated to remembering the historic 2006 “Domecoming” game, which marked the reopening of the Superdome following the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.
The Falcons wasted little time putting a damper on the festivities. Just three plays into the game, Atlanta running back Bijan Robinson broke loose for a 59-yard touchdown run, immediately quieting a crowd that had spent the evening celebrating the Saints’ past.
The contrast between the two games was striking.
In 2006, the Saints delivered one of the most memorable performances in franchise history, defeating Atlanta 23-3 in the first game back inside the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina. The victory became a powerful symbol of New Orleans’ recovery and resilience.
Monday night, however, the Saints struggled to generate that same energy.
Quarterback Tyler Shough called the performance “embarrassing,” while head coach Kellen Moore described the loss as disappointing and frustrating.
“We’ve got to do better on all fronts,” Shough said after the game.
The defeat came after an emotional pregame ceremony honoring the 20th anniversary of the original Domecoming.
Several members of the 2006 Saints team, including Drew Brees, Scott Fujita, Scott Shanle, Deuce McAllister, Devery Henderson and Curtis Deloatch, were recognized during the festivities.
The crowd was also treated to a performance by Irma Thomas, who sang the national anthem when the Superdome reopened in 2006.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also traveled to New Orleans for the anniversary celebration, having attended the original Domecoming game two decades ago.
Atlanta continued to pile on points, scoring 45 — its highest total since a 48-33 victory over Carolina in 2016. The Falcons also did not punt after the first quarter.
The loss was particularly disappointing for New Orleans because Monday night represented the Saints’ first nationally televised home game at night in nearly two years.
Instead of another memorable chapter in the Saints-Falcons rivalry, the 20th anniversary of Domecoming ended with Saints fans booing and heading for the exits well before the final whistle.
The night still served as a reminder of what the original Domecoming meant to New Orleans — a moment when football represented something much bigger than a game.
Twenty years later, the celebration remained meaningful. Unfortunately for the Saints, their performance on the field failed to match the significance of the occasion.
