Early in December, we watched the New Orleans Saints secure their third straight loss in a 33-28 loss to the Detroit Lions and were 5-7 to that point. Since then, the Black and Gold have won three out of their next four games with wins over the Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, and most recently a 23-13 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
With an 8-8 record, the Saints head back home for their regular-season finale versus the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta heads into this matchup with a 7-9 record and losing three out of their last four games.
Not only do the Black and Gold need to win this final game, but they also need some help from another in-division rival or other conference teams to make the playoffs or even win the NFC South.
This NFC South matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints is set for Sunday, January 7th. Kick-off in the Caesars Superdome is set for noon.
HELP NEEDED
Even with three of the last four games resulting in wins, the New Orleans Saints will still look for assistance from other teams if they want to make it into the playoffs.
To win the NFC South, the Black and Gold need to beat the Falcons at home on Sunday and the 2-14 Carolina Panthers will have to defeat or tie with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
If the Bucs do win their regular-season finale, the only way New Orleans would make the playoffs is as the seventh seed. To do that, the Saints would still have to defeat Atlanta, but the Seattle Seahawks would need to lose to the Arizona Cardinals and the Chicago Bears have to take down the Green Bay Packers.
The only way Atlanta punches their ticket to the dance is with a win over New Orleans and a Tampa loss to Carolina.
TROUBLES AT QB
Over the season, the Falcons have bounced back and forth between starting Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke at quarterback whether it’s been for medical reasons or poor play on the field.
Heinicke started in last week’s contest against the Bears but he went 10-29, 163 yards, and three interceptions compared to one touchdown in a 20-point loss. Not only that but the 30-year-old was pulled from the game in the fourth quarter due to an aggravated ankle.
Heinicke’s status still isn’t clear as he’s been limited at practice all week so there’s still a chance the Saints’ defense could face the 24-year-old Ridder if Heinicke isn’t healthy enough to dress out on Sunday.
For New Orleans, Derek Carr hasn’t been showing up on the injury report over the last couple of weeks despite dealing with three separate injuries at the same time at one point. Carr mentioned in a recent press conference that he is feeling much better than before.
RUNNING GAMES
This game on Sunday will be focused on how effective each team’s run game.
Atlanta running back room is highlighted by their rookie phenom Bijan Robinson, who scorched the defense of New Orleans for over 120 scrimmage yards and scored two total touchdowns in a 24-15 loss for the Saints. Others like Tyler Allgeier have been nice compliments to Robinson that could give the Black and Gold front seven troubles.
New Orleans on the other hand may not have star Alvin Kamara after he left last week’s game due to an ankle injury. If Kamara can’t give it a go, that could lead to a heavy workload for Jamaal Williams, who filled in and took a majority of the carries for the Saints in the second half of their 23-13 win over the Buccaneers.
Another name on the Saints to look out for is rookie Kendre Miller as he hasn’t suited up for the Black and Gold since week nine’s game against the Chicago Bears. The young back out of TCU has given some flashes of play making ability in his limited action and can continue that depending on who plays and if he can overcome this nagging ankle injury.
SERIES RECORD: Falcons lead 55-54
Last 5 Meetings:
2023: ATL 24 – NO 15
2022: NO 21 – ATL 18
2022: NO 27 – ATL 26
2022: NO 30 – ATL 20
2021: ATL 27 – NO 25
STAT LEADERS
SAINTS
Derek Carr: 353-520 3,614 yards, 21 TD, 8 INT
Alvin Kamara: 180 carries, 694 yards, 5 TD
Chris Olave: 84 catches, 1,067 yards, 4 TD
Carl Granderson: 8.5 sacks
Demario Davis: 112 tackles (68 solo)
Paulson Adebo: 4 INT
Blake Grupe: 28-of-35 field goals, Long of 55
FALCONS
Desmond Ridder: 227-358 2,545 yards, 10 TD, 11 INT
Bijan Robinson: 203 carries, 948 yards, 4 TD
Drake London: 65 catches, 864 yards, 2 TD
Arnold Ebiketie: 6 sacks
Jessie Bates III: 128 tackles (85 solo)
Jessie Bates III: 6 INT
Younghoe Koo: 31-of-36 field goals, Long of 54
NOTABLE INJURIES
SAINTS
Juwan Johnson, TE, Chest, Questionable
Lonnie Johnson, S, Knee, Out
Alvin Kamara, RB, Ankle, Questionable
Landon Young, OT, Knee, Out
Khalen Saunders, DT, Concussion, Questionable
A.T. Perry, WR, Illness, Questionable
Kendre Miller, RB, Ankle/Illness, Questionable
Erik McCoy, C, Foot, Probable
Chris Olave, WR, Ankle, Probable
Payton Turner, DE, Toe, Questionable
J.T. Gray, S, Illness, Questionable
FALCONS
Drew Dalmon, C, Ankle, Out
DeMarcco Hellmans, S, Concussion, Out
Mike Hughes, CB, Concussion, Questionable
Troy Anderson, LB, Pectoral, Out
Zach Harrison, DE, Knee, Questionable
Taylor Heinicke, QB, Ankle, Questionable