The New Orleans Saints (2-8) are set to face the Atlanta Falcons (3-7) in a week 12 NFC South matchup.
Two weeks ago, the Saints entered the bye week in a good mood, beating the Carolina Panthers 17-7 on the road. Tyler Shough made his second start and broke a New Orleans rookie record in the win.
The Falcons have lost their last five games. Three losses came against AFC opponents, and most recently, Atlanta lost to Carolina 30-27. The Panthers swept the Dirty Birds for this season, and the Bucs also beat them back in week one.
Kickoff between New Orleans and Atlanta from the Caesars Superdome is scheduled for 3:25 PM on Sunday, November 22nd.
DOWN AT WR
The Black and Gold dealing Rashid Shaheed at the NFL trade deadline wasn’t the only move they’ve made recently at wide receiver.
Earlier this week, the Saints and veteran Brandin Cooks agreed to mutually part ways. The 32-year-old pass catcher even conceded some of his salary back to the organization to push the transaction through. This move put New Orleans severely thin at wide receiver, with only three on the active roster after the deal was finalized. To add some players to that position, the Saints elevated practice squad member Dante Pettis, who played in multiple games last year for the team. They also signed former Tulane Green Wave receiver Jha’Quan Jackson hours after the initial reports.
Chris Olave, DeVaughn Vele, and Mason Tipton are now the three starting receivers for New Orleans.
KIRK COUSINS IS BACK
The Falcons are dealing with numerous injuries at high-impact positions. Some of the most notable are at quarterback and wide receiver.
Starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr suffered a partially torn ACL in his left knee in last week’s loss to the Panthers. Penix Jr had to get season-ending surgery to repair the ligament. That means 37-year-old Kirk Cousins will be under center for the Dirty Birds on Sunday.
Atlanta will also be without their star wide receiver, Drake London. He’s also dealing with a knee injury that will sideline him at this Sunday’s game. With the injuries at quarterback and wide receiver, the Falcons and Cousins will look to heavily involve their superstar ball carrier, Bijan Robinson.
VINTAGE TAYSOM HILL
Taysom Hill has been a staple in the New Orleans Saints organization since he joined the team in 2017. His roles not only in the offense, but on multiple sides of the ball have varied depending on the situation.
Hill recently returned to the field after suffering a serious knee injury in December 2024 against the Rams, which was diagnosed as a torn ACL, along with multiple other torn ligaments in the posterolateral corner (PLC). Since then, he’s played in six games and scored a touchdown.
Before the bye, Hill began to see an increased number of rush attempts and helped seal the win against Carolina. Head coach Kellen Moore may elect to lean on Hill more on Sunday with an injured offensive line, an inconsistent running game, a rookie quarterback who will make his third start, and is without a couple of prominent receivers.
Hill has also had some memorable games and moments versus the Falcons over the years. Sunday, he could add to those memories.
SERIES RECORD: Series is tied at 56
Last 5 Meetings:
2024: Saints 20 – Falcons 16
2024: Falcons 26 – Saints 24
2024: Saints 48 – Saints 17
2023: Falcons 24 – Saints 15
2022: Saints 21 – Falcons 18
STAT LEADERS
Saints
Spencer Rattler: 174-256, 1,586 Yards, 8 TD, 5 INT
Alvin Kamara: 128 Carries, 460 Yards, 1 TD
Chris Olave: 60 catches, 664 Yards, 4 TD
Carl Granderson: 4.5 Sacks
Demario Davis: 91 Tackles (42 Solo)
Kool-Aid McKinstry: 2 INT
Blake Grupe: 17-of-23 Field Goals, Long of 54, 14-of-14 PAT
Falcons
Michael Penix Jr: 166-276, 1,982 Yards, 9 TD, 3 INT
Bijan Robinson: 158 Carries, 783 yards, 4 TD
Drake London: 60 Catches, 810 Yards, 6 TD
Brandon Dorlus & Zach Harrison: 4.5 Sacks
Kaden Ellis: 65 Tackles (36 Solo)
Jessie Bates III & Xavier Watts: 2 INT
Parker Romo: 11-of-14 Field Goals, Long of 54, 12-of-13 PAT
INJURY REPORT:
Saints
Taliese Fuaga, OT, Ankle, Questionable
Alvin Kamara, RB, Ankle, Questionable
Chris Olave, WR, Ankle, Probable
Jack Stoll, TE, Ankle, Probable
Barry Wesley, OT, Hip, Questionable
Falcons
Zach Harrison, DT, Knee, Out
Chris Lindstrom, OG, Foot, Questionable
Drake London, WR, Knee, Out
Michael Penix Jr, QB, Knee, Out (Season ending IR)
Xavier Watts, S, Illness, Probable
Josh Woods, LB, Hamstring, Out
Dee Alford, CB, Concussion, Questionable
Jessie Bates III, S, NIR-Personal, Questionable
Matthew Bergeron, OG, Ankle, Questionable
Billy Bowman, CB, Achilles, Out
Divine Deablo, LB, Forearm, Questionable
Brandon Dorlus, DT, Oblique, Questionable
Leonard Floyd, LB, Hamstring, Questionable
Malik Verdon, LB, Shoulder, Questionable
Mike Hughes, CB, Neck, Probable
Liam McCullough, LS, NIR-Personal, Questionable
David Onyemata, DT, NIR-Personal, Questionable