NEW ORLEANS -- The Saints spent the week getting ready for a celebration. Kellen Moore had his players watch videos about Hurricane Katrina and the night the Superdome reopened in 2006. Before kickoff Monday, Steve Gleason, whose blocked punt opened that game 20 years ago, joined Drew Brees, Deuce McAllister and other members of that team on the field to lead the "Who dat!" chant.

Then the Falcons received the opening kickoff, just as they had in 2006. Two Michael Penix Jr. completions moved the ball to the Atlanta 41. On the third play, Bijan Robinson ran through a wide hole on the left side and outran everyone for a 59-yard touchdown, 86 seconds into the game.

"We just went back to the sideline and said, 'That's what we talked about -- make sure that we put it on them early so the crowd doesn't become an issue,'" Robinson said.

The crowd never became an issue. Atlanta never trailed in a 45-24 win, outrushed New Orleans 205 yards to 50 and scored five rushing touchdowns, tying the franchise record. Robinson finished with 145 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. Brian Robinson Jr. added three short touchdown runs, the first three-touchdown game of his career. The Falcons are 2-2. The Saints are 1-3.

Cameron Jordan, the Saints' veteran edge rusher, didn't soften it. "They had almost 200 yards rushing," he said. "That's on the defensive line. ... They had their way tonight. It's embarrassing." New Orleans played without two defensive starters, linebacker Kaden Elliss and edge rusher Carl Granderson.

The Saints did have early chances. Daniel Carlson missed a 52-yard field goal. After an Atlanta three-and-out, Kendre Miller carried on the next snap and cornerback C.J. Henderson ripped the ball loose. Kevin Stefanski challenged the call on the field and won, and the Falcons took over at the New Orleans 22. A defensive holding penalty on Kool-Aid McKinstry kept the drive alive, and Bijan Robinson scored from the 4 to make it 14-0.

That fumble was the only turnover of the night. Atlanta didn't commit one.

"I think the turnover early killed us," Saints quarterback Tyler Shough said.

Every time New Orleans got close, Atlanta answered. Alvin Kamara's short touchdown run made it 14-7; the Falcons went 10 plays and Brian Robinson scored from the 4. Trailing 24-7 in the third quarter, Moore kicked a field goal rather than go for it. "It got it to at least a 14-point game," he said. "Unfortunately, they went back and scored." The Falcons went 74 yards in nine plays, Brian Robinson scoring from the 8. Kamara's second touchdown cut it to 31-17 early in the fourth quarter, and five plays later Penix hit Jahan Dotson for a 31-yard score.

Penix, in his second game back from a torn ACL, was 15 of 20 for 223 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. Drake London caught five passes for 96 yards.

"Mike played well; he took care of the football and made some really good throws," Stefanski said. "I really like his demeanor and how he is operating."

The Falcons have scored 80 points in two games since Penix returned, starting with a 35-14 win at Green Bay. According to ESPN Research, they are the first team to win consecutive games on the road, in prime time and by 20 or more points.

"The most fun I've had in my career," Brian Robinson Jr. said. "We can be as good as we want to be."

On the other side, Shough went 30 of 48 for 286 yards and threw a 3-yard touchdown to Devaughn Vele with 1:13 left. He was pressured on 35 percent of his dropbacks, per ESPN Research, and he didn't argue with the boos. "Fans understandably are upset," he said. "You're playing the Falcons, and you lose like that. I mean, I'd boo too."

Moore didn't argue either. "I didn't coach well enough, play well enough, so obviously, it wasn't good enough," he said. "We're a 1-3 football team with some good moments, but not enough consistent football to be where we ultimately want to be."

Slow starts are now a pattern. The Saints have trailed early in all four games and have six first-quarter points this season.

The result also extends a run in the division rivalry. After Moore was hired, a quote attributed to him calling the Falcons rivalry "a few easy wins" made the rounds online. So far, Atlanta is 3-0 against him: 24-10 on Nov. 23, 2025, 19-17 on Jan. 4, 2026, a result that handed the NFC South to Carolina, and 45-24 on Monday.

Also from Monday night:

Atlanta lost two veterans early. Defensive end Za'Darius Smith left with a concussion after a stretcher was brought out, though he walked off, and left tackle Jake Matthews, in his 200th game, left with a groin injury.

The schedule doesn't get easier for either team. Atlanta hosts Baltimore on Sunday night. New Orleans hosts an undefeated Minnesota team on Sunday.