Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints: Full New Orleans Game Preview
The New Orleans Saints will host the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night Football, as coach Sean Payton’s club attempts to turn its season around in front of a prime-time television audience.
Just a week after earning its first win of the season, New Orleans (1-4) hit rock bottom last Sunday with an ugly 39-17 road loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. After a respectable start in the game, the Saints trailed the Eagles by just three points at the half, but Philadelphia took control and thoroughly dominated the contest throughout the second half.
Payton’s squad hasn't been afforded much time to regroup this week, however, as the divisional rival Falcons come calling just a few days after the Saints’ lopsided loss.
Atlanta comes in sporting a 5-0 mark under first-year head coach Dan Quinn. The Falcons boast a high-powered offense led by quarterback Matt Ryan, while the defense is improved from a season ago when it finished ranked dead last (No. 32) in the league.
As for the NFL’s current last-ranked defense, the Saints, coordinator Rob Ryan’s group will be challenged from the get-go in this one, as Matt Ryan and Co. will try to take the crowd out of the game early on.
On the offensive side, quarterback Drew Brees will be looking to bounce back after last week’s three-turnover performance, while the Saints will be counting on the boisterous fans at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome for added support.
Continue reading for a preview of this Week 6 Thursday night matchup, which kicks off at 8:25 p.m. ET/7:25 p.m. CT on CBS and NFLN.
Saints-Falcons Rivalry
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While some other NFL rivalries are more well known and more highly publicized, there aren’t many that are more intense than the Saints vs. the Falcons.
These two franchises have been battling out it since the Saints’ inaugural season of 1967, when New Orleans bested Atlanta 27-24 in Tulane Stadium.
After 92 meetings, the Falcons lead the series 49-43, and they’re going for their third straight win over Payton’s club after earning the season sweep with two victories over the Saints last year.
Although Atlanta enjoyed the upper hand in 2014, New Orleans dominated the series from Payton’s arrival in 2006 through the 2013 season. The Saints took 13 out of 16 during those eight years, and they swept the Falcons five times during that span.
The two teams clashed in the playoffs back in 1991 for an NFC Wild Card Game, with the Falcons posting a 27-20 win over coach Jim Mora’s Saints in the Superdome.
One of the most memorable moments in the recent history of the series occurred in 2011. In a 45-16 victory on Monday Night Football, New Orleans clinched the divisional title, while Drew Brees eclipsed Dan Marino’s single-season record for passing yards with a nine-yard touchdown strike to Darren Sproles.
Injury Report
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The Saints were without left tackle Terron Armstead and right guard Jahri Evans against Philadelphia. Both starters practiced but were limited in Tuesday's workout with knee injuries, according to the Saints' Tuesday injury report, which was posted on NewOrleansSaints.com.
Also limited in practice was safety Jairus Byrd (knee).
Several Saints were held out of the practice, including wide receiver Marques Colston, who was out with a shoulder injury.
Also out were guard Tim Lelito (shoulder), punter Thomas Morstead (quad) and defensive end Bobby Richardson (hip). Cornerback Damian Swann was also held out with a concussion.
Meanwhile, cornerback Keenan Lewis (hip) and defensive tackle John Jenkins (elbow) both fully participated in the workout.
Key Matchups to Watch
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Saints Secondary vs. Falcons Receivers
Julio Jones isn’t a lock to see the field Thursday night, but Dan Quinn said he expects his star wideout to play, according to Michael Cunningham of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Jones battled a hamstring injury during the Falcons’ 25-19 overtime win over the Washington Redskins Sunday, and he’s also dealing with a toe injury.
If the 2013 Pro Bowler does manage to make his way onto the field Thursday, the New Orleans defensive backfield had best bring its “A” game.
Jones destroyed opposing secondaries throughout the first three games of the season, amassing 440 receiving yards on 34 receptions, while reaching the end zone four times. He was seldom used during Atlanta’s lopsided victory over the Houston Texans in Week 4.
New Orleans could opt to provide safety help to whichever cornerback is lined up on Jones, be it Brandon Browner, Delvin Breaux or Keenan Lewis, but containing the 6’3,” 220-pounder will still be quite challenging.
Even if Jones doesn’t play, however, the Saints defensive backs will have their hands full against the rest of the Atlanta receiving corps.
The Falcons boast the NFL’s eighth-ranked passing attack, and Matt Ryan has other capable targets to turn to. Wideouts Leonard Hankerson and Roddy White have combined for 369 receiving yards thus far this season, while tight end Jacob Tamme has hauled in 16 receptions.
New Orleans Offensive Line vs. Falcons Front Seven
Philadelphia pass-rushers dropped Drew Brees five times for sacks in last Sunday’s contest, and the New Orleans quarterback was under duress for the majority of the game.
The Saints hope to get starting offensive linemen Terron Armstead and Jahri Evans back into the lineup this week, and their return will be welcomed with open arms by the New Orleans signal-caller.
Atlanta hasn’t exactly terrorized opposing quarterbacks with only six sacks this year, but the Falcons have some capable pass-rushers at hand, including talented rookie Vic Beasley, who leads the team with two sacks.
If New Orleans can keep Brees standing upright in this one, he could enjoy a productive outing against Atlanta’s No. 29-ranked pass defense.
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Players to Watch
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Offense: Wide Receiver Willie Snead
The recent emergence of Willie Snead has been a pleasant surprise for the New Orleans pass offense, which has suffered from a shortage of playmakers for the better part of the young season.
A former practice-squad player, the second-year wideout turned heads throughout the preseason. Originally considered a long shot to earn a roster spot, the Ball State product turned in some solid outings in exhibition play, and he eventually won over the coaching staff.
Five games into the season, Snead has now earned the trust of Drew Brees, which is highly advantageous for any receiver in a Saint uniform.
In New Orleans’ Week 4 win over the Dallas Cowboys, the 5’11,” 195-pounder hauled in six receptions for 89 yards, and he followed that up with a six-catch, 141-yard performance at Philadelphia last week.
With No. 1 receiver Brandin Cooks drawing the bulk of the attention from opposing secondaries, Snead is making the most of his opportunities, and another big statistical performance is certainly possible against the Falcons Thursday.
Defense: Linebacker Stephone Anthony
Rookie “Mike” linebacker Stephone Anthony has steadily improved since the early stages of training camp, and he’s been one of the bright spots on the New Orleans defense. The 2015 first-round pick is coming off a nine-tackle outing against the Eagles, which made for the best statistical performance yet of his young career.
This week, Anthony will assume the unenviable task of slowing down red-hot Falcons running back Devonta Freeman. The second-year back has been on a tear in recent weeks, tallying 539 total yards and seven touchdowns in his last three games.
Freeman is nursing a toe injury, according to the team’s official injury report on AtlantaFalcons.com. The injury has lingered for the past couple weeks, however, and it obviously hasn’t adversely affected Freeman’s productivity.
The Saints will certainly need other defenders to step up and make stops against the Atlanta rushing attack, but Anthony’s play will be key as the rookie faces his toughest test to date.
Prediction
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If there’s a setting that’s ideal for bringing out the best in the Saints, it’s the setup for Thursday’s matchup. New Orleans is taking on its undefeated divisional rival at night in the Superdome, and despite the Saints' 1-4 record, the crowd should be quite lively.
Expect the Saints' young defense to come out and play with emotion, and look for Brees to be sharp and on top of his game in the early going.
New Orleans may win the first quarter, but the 5-0 Falcons are undeniably the better team on both sides of the ball. Ryan and the Atlanta offense will eventually take control with their high-flying passing attack, and they'll move past the Saints in the fourth quarter with a dominant ground game.
New Orleans will put forth a first-rate effort, but it won’t be enough to pull out the victory.
Falcons 28, Saints 20
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