5 things learned from Falcons' 21-16 loss to Saints

New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill hands off to running back Alvin Kamara against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

With two chances for victory, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan's passes for Julio Jones in the end zone fell incomplete.

The Saints held on for a 21-16 victory Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The crowd was announced at 8,712 tickets distributed.

The Falcons battled back from a 21-9 deficit, but came up short on their final two drives against the No. 1 defense in the league.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill completes a pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

The Saints improved to 10-2, while the Falcons dropped to 4-8.

The Falcons' offense, playing with Jones and running back Todd Gurley, was stymied by the Saints until the fourth quarter. They cobbled together three field goals and got a touchdown in the final quarter to stay in the game.

The defense got a big fumble recovery and stop to set up the potential game-winning drive.

Atlanta Falcons defenders look on as New Orleans Saints tight end Jared Cook catches a touchdown pass to take a 14-6 lead during the second quarter on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

The Saints couldn't run out the clock and the Falcons got the ball back at their 39 yard line with 27 seconds left. The Falcons' Calvin Ridley got the ball to the Saints' 39.

Ryan's Hail Mary to Jones was unsuccessful.

Ryan completed 19 of 39 passes for 273 yards and a touchdown. He finished with a passer rating of 80.4. Ridley had five catches for 108 yards and Jones had six catches for 94 yards.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill uses his legs to help run out the clock in the final minutes of a 21-16 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

Saints quarterback Taysom Hill completed 27 of 37 passes for two touchdowns. He finished with a passer rating of 107.

Here are five things we learned from the loss to the Saints:

In what would have been the go-ahead touchdown in the final two minutes, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones can't haul in the fourth down attempt from Matt Ryan in the end zone as the ball goes off his fingertips, with New Orleans Saints cornerback P.J. Williams (left) and safety Marcus Williams (right) defending during the fourth quarter on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia. The Saints beat the Falcons 21-16. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

Atlanta Falcons defenders surround New Orleans Saints tight end Jared Cook (center) while he catches a touchdown pass to take a 14-6 lead during the second quarter on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley loses 7 yards on a third down and 2 attempt during the final minutes against the Saints during the fourth quarter on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

Atlanta Falcons Grady Jarrett, left, and Steven Means hit New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill, forcing a fumble that the Falcons recovered during the fourth quarter on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara dives into the end zone past Atlanta Falcons cornerback Darqueze Dennard for a touchdown to take a 21-9 lead during the third quarter on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill gets off a pass under pressure from Atlanta Falcons defensive end Dante Fowler during the third quarter on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill breaks away from Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones for a long gain into Falcons' territory to setup a touchdown pass on the next play to Tre'Quan Smith to take a 7-0 lead during the first quarter on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill breaks away from Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones for a long gain into Falcons' territory to setup a touchdown pass on the next play to Tre'Quan Smith to take a 7-0 lead during the first quarter on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

New Orleans Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata reacts to sacking Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan during the second quarter on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

After breaking through three defenders, New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara dives into the end zone past Atlanta Falcons cornerback Darqueze Dennard for a touchdown to take a 21-9 lead during the third quarter on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson knocks the ball out for a turnover as he hammers Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan during the fourth quarter on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

A deep pass to Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones falls incomplete in the end zone as time expires with the New Orleans Saints defending to hold on to a 21-16 victory on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)

New Orleans Saints defensive end Carl Granderson knocks the ball out for a turnover as he hammers Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan during the fourth quarter on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/TNS)