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NEW ORLEANS — Derek Carr passed for four touchdowns to lift the New Orleans Saints over the Atlanta Falcons 48-17, but both teams missed the playoffs. Either New Orleans or Atlanta would have won the NFC South by winning their regular-season finale if the Buccaneers lost. Baker Mayfield and Tampa Bay finished a 9-0 victory while the Saints and Falcons were still on the field. New Orleans also was denied a chance to capture an NFC wild-card spot when Green Bay beat Chicago later on Sunday. The end of the game was marred by a late Saints touchdown out of a formation normally used to run out the clock. Falcons coach Arthur Smith reacted angrily on the field as the game ended.
