The New Orleans Saints found a way to end their 7-game losing streak against their rivaled Atlanta Falcons in a 20-17 hard fought victory. This was a game that the Saints were outmatched in almost every area with the injury card they have been dealt with. However, this team came out highly energized and seemed to be brought back to life under interim head coach Darren Rizzi, who's clearly lit a fire under his team. Explosive plays, blocked field goals and Cameron Jordan sacks seemed to be back in New Orleans. Even if it lasts a short time, a fun-fun time for Saints fans after what felt like weeks of despair.

The good

The Saints won a football game.

It might be the most simple way to put it, but this team was desperate for one after a 7-game losing streak. It was also bittersweet moment after the team fired former head coach Dennis Allen on Monday. It also means a lot more doing it against the Falcons of course.

How did they do it? The team was able to run the ball effectively in the first half, while hitting some big shot plays to Marquez Valdes-Scantling to put points on the board. The defense did enough in the first half the keep Atlanta out of the end zone, forcing them into field goal attempts in which they would miss the majority of. The offense did a good job of protecting the football, not giving Atlanta any additional opportunities to score.

The bad

The second half of the game was a bit of a different story than the first half on both sides of the ball. The offense completely stalled not finding any success on the ground, while the passing game felt incompetent after an inspiring start. Collectively, the team was only able to score three points in the second half just barely keeping themselves in the game. A crucial 4th-and-2 decision to kick late in the third, ending up saving them but they might've been able to put this game away a lot earlier if they come up with a touchdown instead.

On the defensive side of the ball, the team loosened up front allowing some big chunk plays to Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgier on the ground. As a team, they allowed 181 yards on the ground, giving up on 5.7 ypc on average. Multiple missed tackles and poor containment on the edges, led to the success of Atlanta on the ground. The Saints have to find a way to get better in this area, as they have struggled all year long.

The ugly

Crucial penalties.

On the first offensive play of the game, an 88-yard receiving touchdown from Carr to Taysom Hill was negated by an offensive holding penalty, taking six off the board. In a games where you're down multiple receiving targets, these are the opportunities you simply cannot afford to lose. This along some other holding calls on positive gains on the ground helped slow down the run game.

Defensively, the team didn't do themselves any favors in the secondary with a couple of third down pass interference calls on Alontae Taylor. With Marshon Lattimore out of the picture and Paulson Adebo sidelined, Taylor's play is now of greater importance as he will be tasked with the best of the best at outside corner. He will have to play much cleaner games going forward if the Saints want to continue what they have started under new management with Darren Rizzi.

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This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: The good, the bad, and the ugly from Saints' Week 10 win against Falcons