Charlie Smyth's breakout season with the New Orleans Saints ended in defeat to Atlanta Falcons, a result that sent the Carolina Panthers to the NFL play-offs.
Had the Falcons lost, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would have clinched the NFC South.
However Zane Gonzalez made all four of his field goal attempts, Dee Alford had a crucial fourth-quarter interception, and the Falcons prevailed 19-17.
With the win, Atlanta (8-9) sent the Carolina Panthers to the play-offs.
It's been a remarkable season for Co Down man Smyth who was signed to the New Orleans Saints' 53-man active roster on a three-year contract before Christmas.
On Sunday, Kirk Cousins threw for 180 yards and a touchdown, while Drake London had 78 receiving yards and a score for the Falcons, who finished the season on a four-game winning streak. Tyler Shough threw for 259 yards and a touchdown, while adding a score on the ground for the Saints (6-11), who saw their four-game winning streak snapped. It gives them the eighth pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which will be held in April.
Leading 10-7 at half-time, Atlanta doubled their advantage on Gonzalez's 51-yard field goal with 8:50 remaining in the third quarter.
Charlie Smyth adds 3 points for the @Saints 🇮🇪🎯 pic.twitter.com/R7XgqdK09j
— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) January 4, 2026
New Orleans had a touchdown taken off the board on its ensuing drive, as Dante Pettis' offensive pass interference negated Kevin Austin Jr's one-yard score.
The Saints settled for former Down inter-county footballer Smyth's 29-yard field goal to pull within three at the 2:15 mark of the third.
Gonzalez pushed the Falcons' lead back to six with his 38-yarder with 10:43 left in the fourth.
After punts from each team, Shough's 29-yard rush pushed the Saints' possession to Atlanta's 23. Three plays later, Alford picked off Shough's pass and returned it to New Orleans' 27 with 3:14 left.
Gonzalez then drilled another 38-yarder, giving the Falcons a nine-point edge.
The Saints answered just 1:41 later, with Shough's 16-yard touchdown pass to Ronnie Bell pulling New Orleans within two. Atlanta recovered the subsequent onside kick to seal the win.
