Falcons strike first after Saints muff punt return

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ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Falcons scored their first special teams touchdown of the season -- and took an early lead on their heated division rival in the process.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed muffed a Bradley Pinion punt inside the Saints 5-yard line and the ball caromed into the end zone. Falcons safety Micah Abernathy was there first, followed by wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge, who jumped on it for an Atlanta touchdown.

We'll take that, thank you

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— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) September 29, 2024The Falcons took a 7-0 lead with 11:13 left in the first quarter after a Younghoe Koo extra point.

Hodge, 29, has not taken any…