4 key matchups to watch as Saints play Falcons on Thanksgiving

Matchups like Marshon Lattimore versus Julio Jones will define Thanksgiving’s game between the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons.

The New Orleans Saints are travelling to play the Atlanta Falcons on Thanksgiving night, headlining the NFL’s slate of prime time games. After a  devastating 26-9 loss to the Falcons back in Week 10, the Saints are looking for revenge against their NFC South rival on Thanksgiving. A Saints victory would clinch the team’s third consecutive NFC South division title and mathematically eliminate the Falcons from playoff contention.

There will be several key matchups to watch this Thanksgiving; we’ve highlighted four of them. If New Orleans can exploit and win these one-on-one battles, the Saints should be the team eating turkey legs at the end.

Falcons WR Julio Jones vs. Saints CB Marshon Lattimore

Let’s start this with a caveat, by noting that this matchup only occurs if both players are healthy enough to go on Thanksgiving. Lattimore has missed his last two games with a hamstring injury, and Jones will be a game-time decision with a shoulder issue.

Fortunately for the Saints, Lattimore has been lockdown in coverage this season — when healthy. The star cornerback held Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans to zero receptions and as many yards back in Week 5., and matched up well against Jones in Week 9 when Atlanta visited the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. During that matchup, Jones was held to three receptions and 79 yards. If Lattimore’s hamstring holds up, then Jones should have a tough time being a producing for the Falcons receiving corps on Thursday.