Week 14 Game Scout: Saints at Falcons

Dec 7, 2017 - 10:23 AM NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (9-3) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (7-5)

KICKOFF: Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, Mercedes-Benz Stadium. TV: NBC, NFLN, Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Heather Cox (field reporter).

SERIES HISTORY: 96th regular-season meeting. Falcons lead series, 50-45. Atlanta has won the last two meetings, including a 38-32 triumph in the Georgia Dome in the 2016 season finale. The Falcons beat the Saints 27-20 in an NFC wild-card playoff game in 1991, and the Saints beat the Falcons 23-3 in 2006 when the Superdome reopened a year after Hurricane Katrina. New Orleans is 16-8 since Sean Payton took over as coach.

KEYS TO THE GAME: This is a big-league duel, as always, and each team is trying to establish itself as a legitimate playoff powerhouse down the stretch. Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan and New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees have faced one other 17 times. Brees is 10-7 in those matchups. The Falcons beat the Saints twice last season. The Saints won twice in 2015 and the Falcons won twice in 2014.

It's usually a high-scoring affair. Last season, the Falcons won 45-32 in New Orleans and 38-32 in Atlanta. "Drew is unbelievable," Ryan said. "He's been so consistent for the 10 years that I've been here."

The Saints are now relying more on running backs Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara. The one-two punch has been the Saints' biggest strength this season, and they will look to utilize both in the running game and the passing game, assuming Ingram's sore toe doesn't sideline him. Don't be surprised if the defense plays a lot of zone to avoid the big play and force the Falcons to be patient on offense.

However, Brees is still lethal. He has completed 291-of-407 passes for 3,298 yards, with 17 touchdowns and five interceptions. He has a passer rating of 104.2.

The Falcons' offense must get back on track. Against Minnesota last week, they did not score a touchdown for the first time in 30 games, and Ryan was held to 173 yards, his lowest total since throwing for 172 against Seattle in 2013.

The Saints' defense is led by end Cameron Jordan, who has 10 sacks. Also, Sheldon Rankins, who plays next to Jordan, is having a fine season. Jordan and Rankins will go against Falcons right tackle Ryan Schraeder and right guard Wes Schweitzer.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH:

--Falcons receivers vs. Saints cornerbacks. The Falcons have one of the most explosive receiving corps in the NFL and the Saints have been beaten up at cornerback. Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu and Taylor Gabriel will test the corners, especially if top cover man Marshon Lattimore is unable to return form an ankle injury that has sidelined him the past two games.

--Saints RB Alvin Kamara vs. Falcons LBs De'Vondre Campbell and Duke Riley. These linebackers play well in space, but Kamara is a tough target. Known nominally as a third-round pick, this sensational rookie has rushed for 606 yards and seven touchdowns and caught 59 passes for 614 yards and four touchdowns. Campbell is third on the team with 74 tackles. Riley, who is faster, could get some action in order to play against the Saints' screens.

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT: Falcons OG Ben Garland. He lost the battle for the starting right guard spot to Wes Schweitzer in the exhibition season. He has played in 36 games on the offensive and defensive lines and will make his first NFL start against the Saints. A key to the Saints' success will be whether they can disrupt Matt Ryan's timing. Defensive end Cameron Jordan has 10 sacks and seven passes defensed, and he is the defender most capable of bothering Ryan. In addition to sacks and getting his hands on passes, Jordan can be effective by pressuring Ryan.

FAST FACTS: Saints QB Drew Brees has 6,127 completions, surpassing Peyton Manning (6,125) for second-most all-time. He aims for a seventh consecutive game against Atlanta with at least 300 yards passing. ... RB Mark Ingram leads the NFL with nine rushing touchdowns. ... RB Alvin Kamara is the third rookie in NFL history with at least 600 yards rushing (606) and 600 yards receiving (614). He ranks fourth in the NFL with 1,220 yards from scrimmage. ... DE Cameron Jordan is one of three in the NFL with at least 10 sacks (10) and 50 tackles (52). ... Vonn Bell is only NFL safety with at least 60 tackles ((61) and three sacks (3.5) ... Atlanta QB Matt Ryan has 1,970 yards passing (328.3 per game), 14 TDs and one interception in the last six meetings. ... WR Julio Jones leads the NFC with 1,063 yards receiving. ... LB Deion Jones has 15 tackles, five passes defensed and a 90-yard pick-six in two career games vs. New Orleans. ... Rookie DE Takkarist McKinley aims for his fourth game in a row with a sack. He is tied for first among NFC rookies with five sacks.

PREDICTION: A classic flip-a-coin game, but the Falcons will further tighten things up heading down the home stretch.

OUR PICK: Falcons, 30-27.

--Howard Balzer