Falcons vs. Saints: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Radio, Game Time and More

The NFC South Division will be decided this weekend if the New Orleans Saints (11-3) can beat the second-placed Atlanta Falcons (9-5). 

The last time these two teams faced off in Atlanta, the game was a thrilling overtime contest that saw the Saints win with an overtime field goal after a questionable decision from the Falcons to go for it on fourth down in OT. 

The Falcons have a slim chance at winning the NFC South division. However, if they can pull off a victory on the road in New Orleans this week, they will still have a chance to win the division and host a playoff game this year.

Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA

When: Monday, December 26th at 8:30 p.m.

Watch: ESPN and ESPN-3.com

Listen: New Orleans Saints WWL 870 AM/105.3 FM Atlanta Falcons WCCP 104.9 FM

Live Stream: ESPN.go.com/watchespn/index

Betting Line: According to SBGglobal.com, the Saints are favored by -6.5 points. You should take the Falcons to cover as underdogs on the road this week. When these two teams played earlier this year, Matt Ryan led this Falcons passing attack with 351 yards and two touchdowns. 

What's At Stake? 

With a Saints win they will clinch the NFC South Division and at least one home playoff game. However, with a Falcons win, they clinch a playoff spot and pull within one game of the Saints for the NFC South division title. 

Atlanta Injury Report:

CB Brent Grimes is questionable with a knee injury. Grimes practiced on Tuesday and expects to play against New Orleans.

New Orleans Injury Report:

TE Jimmy Graham is probable with a back injury. Graham played last week against Minnesota with the same injury and caught seven passes for 70 yards and a touchdown.

LB Jonathan Vilma is probable with a knee injury. He was active last week against the Vikings with the same injury.

Fantasy Start 'Em, Sit' Em and Sleeper

Start ‘Em: New Orleans QB Drew Brees: Brees had one of his typical games this year against the Falcons when they played on Week 10. There is no reason why Brees will not go off again this week for 322 yards and two touchdowns. 

Sit’ Em: New Orleans Saints Running Backs: This is more of a blanket statement to all of the New Orleans backfield. If you own Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram or Darren Sproles, you should bench them this week. 

The last time they played Atlanta, the Saints' rushing game amounted only 41 yards and 14 receiving yards. 

Sleeper: Atlanta Falcons Tight End Tony Gonzalez: Gonzalez had a very productive game against the Saints in Week 10. He went off for six catches for 71 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets. 

If you have the tight end on your bench, you have to insert him into your starting lineup this week. 

What They're Saying:

New Orleans Saints via Nola.com:

"

New Orleans has won nine of the past 11 games since Coach Sean Payton arrived in 2006, but those wins haven't come easily in recent years.

The past six games in the series have been decided by eight points or less, including the Saints' 26-23 overtime victory at Atlanta on Nov. 13, which was ultimately decided by New Orleans' fourth-and-1 stop in Falcons territory in overtime.

"

Atlanta Falcons via Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC.com):

"

The Saints have a major weight advantage over the smaller and quicker Falcons. Bushrod (315) is 42 pounds heavier than Abraham, Nicks (343) is 43 pounds heavier than Babineaux, Evans (318) is 13 pounds heavier than Peters and Strief (320) is 42 pounds heavier than Edwards.

"It’s a big offensive line," Smith said. "The two guards and the two tackles are really big men and they’ve done a very good job. I think you can see by the statistics that they’ve put up, not only scoring but passing and rushing yards."

The unit has been sturdy over the last six games after giving up six sacks in the Saints' upset 31-21 loss to St. Louis on Oct. 30.

"

Atlanta Player to Watch: RB Michael Turner hasn’t been very productive since the last time these two teams played each other. He only has one game where he’s rushed for over 100 yards and has just one touchdown. 

Against the Saints in Week 10, he had a productive game rushing for 96 yards on 4.4 yards per carry. He didn’t get into the end zone, however he did help wear down the Saints defense by getting 22 attempts in the game.

New Orleans Player to Watch: WR Marques Colston is the most-talented Saints wide receiver, however he isn’t the top target in the passing game. 

When the Saints and Falcons played earlier this year, he had nine targets and caught eight passes for 113 yards. 

If New Orleans is going to clinch the NFC South division this week, they will have to find a way to get Colston the ball and let him make plays. 

Key Matchup: The Atlanta Falcons linebackers vs. Saints RB Darren Sproles

Sproles is second on the Saints in targets and receptions with 102 and 79. However, against the Falcons he was held to just two receiving yards on six targets and four receptions. 

It will be interesting to see if the Falcons defense can hold the Saints' speedy running back for a second time. 

On the Hot Seat: Both of these teams should make the playoffs this year, and both of their head coaches are very secure with their jobs. 

Prediction: The Saints and their 28th-ranked passing defense will have a hard time in controlling this Falcons passing game a second time. Ryan will have another passing day that sees the quarterback go over 300 yards with two touchdowns. 

However, Brees is playing at such a high level right now, that is hard to see any team in the NFL slowing him down. Brees will carry this Saints team to a big victory at home. 

New Orleans 41, Atlanta 35

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