NEW ORLEANS – Kirk Cousins ​​​​and the first-place Falcons are quick to list the pitfalls of overlooking the last-place New Orleans Saints.

The Falcons needed a last-second field goal to win the previous meeting in Atlanta in Week 4 and now face a Saints team trying to get interim coach Darren Rizzi off to an auspicious start.

When a coach is replaced, as third-year Saints coach Dennis Allen was earlier this week, “the team plays very well the following week, in my experience,” Cousins ​​noted. “So I see this as a real challenge that has been thrown at us.

“They’re going to be at their best emotionally and mentally, and then play where they belong,” Cousins ​​continued. “There are a lot of factors that come together that make it feel like we have to do our best to have a chance.”

The coaching change in New Orleans came a day after a deflating loss to struggling Carolina extended the Saints’ losing streak to seven games – the club’s longest in a quarter-century.

Allen, who was highly regarded by owners and management, and had spent 15 seasons with the Saints in various capacities since 2006, was fired after going 18-25 in 2 1/2 seasons as successor to Sean Payton.

Rizzi, a 54-year-old special teams coordinator popular with Saints players, was chosen to take over.

The Saints trail the Falcons by four games with eight remaining and are trending to miss the playoffs for a fourth straight season.

Still, Rizzi scoffed at suggestions that he would focus more on long-term concerns such as player development rather than winning now.

“Do I think we’re giving up on this season in any way? I don’t,” Rizzi said. “I don’t think the locker room thinks we’re giving up on the season. The front office doesn’t think we’re giving up on the season.

Or as 14th-year Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan said, “It’s hate week in Atlanta.” »

Rare Wednesday guided tour

The Falcons’ practice Wednesday was closed to reporters because the team deviated from its usual schedule by hosting a light visit.

Even offensive coordinator Zac Robinson was surprised, adding that he didn’t think a midweek visit was an option.

Robinson called coach Raheem Morris’ decision “really cool” because you can learn more in the slower sessions without pads.

“It’s basically meetings on the turf,” Robinson said. “We are able to talk through many different looks. …I know the players love it.

Morris said the decision was “performance-based” and also aimed at “reducing a little wear and tear on the body.”

“Prepare yourself mentally. Get the sharpness right,” Morris said. “Get ready to perform and be the best version of ourselves.”

Bijan the receiver

Atlanta running back Bijan Robinson is also producing at receiver. He has consecutive games with seven receptions and four consecutive games with at least 100 yards from scrimmage – including his career-high 145 combined rushing and receiving yards last week against Dallas.

“That was the vision,” Morris said, adding that he thought early in the season Robinson’s versatility resembled that of San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey.

The Falcons even had Robinson lined up against the Cowboys at times.

“As much as he can touch the ball, we’re definitely going to try to do that,” Zac Robinson said.

Robinson has 38 catches for 303 yards this season.

“Players’ favorite”

For Saints kicker Blake Grupe, Rizzi was the obvious choice to succeed Allen.

Grupe even marked his coordinator’s promotion earlier this week by wearing a “Merry Rizzmas” shirt that Rizzi had made for special teams players during the 2023 holiday season.

“He was always a favorite player,” Grupe said. “He has a good rapport with everyone, whether it’s always a conversation or side jokes.

“That’s how he gets the best out of people,” Grupe added. “That’s why guys want to play for him.”

Hold on

As Saints quarterback Derek Carr begins his second game since returning from injury, the receivers he was throwing to before going down will not play.

It’s unclear how long Chris Olave will be out — or if he’ll return at all — after his second concussion of the season last week in Carolina. Deep option Rashid Shaheed is on injured reserve. AT Perry was cut and picked up by the Broncos. And Bub Means, a fifth-round pick in the 2024 draft, is on injured reserve.

Meanwhile, reserve wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. did not practice this week due to a shoulder injury.

The healthy receivers on New Orleans’ active roster are midseason veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling and undrafted rookies Mason Tipton and Jermaine Jackson. New Orleans could also bring in Kevin Austin Jr., Equanimeous St. Brown or Dante Pettis from the practice squad.

“We have guys who have a unique opportunity,” offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak said. “I’m excited for the kids who are going to be able to play.”

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AP Pro Football Writer Charles Odum contributed to this report.