Saints starting Patrick Omameh at left tackle in relief of Terron Armstead

The New Orleans Saints went with veteran NFL guard Patrick Omameh to start at left tackle in relief of injured All-Pro Terron Armstead.

The New Orleans Saints had a tough decision to make at left tackle, with injured starter Terron Armstead inactive after suffering a high-ankle sprain a week ago. His top backup, left guard Andrus Peat, was also inactive after having his broken arm surgically repaired a few weeks ago (veteran backup Nick Easton will get his third start in Peat’s place). The Atlanta Falcons sacked Saints quarterback Drew Brees six times in their first meeting with Armstead and Peat both in the lineup, so the Saints obviously hope to turn in a better performance despite having to start multiple backups.

New Orleans had two options available between veteran guard Patrick Omameh and undrafted rookie Ethan Greenidge; facing that decision, the Saints went with the player who has the most NFL experience. Omameh has started full seasons in the NFL for several different teams at both left and right guard, but this game will be his first long-exposure look at left tackle.

Greenidge is active for the first time this year, and he figures to get on the field occasionally as a top reserve along with backup guard/center Will Clapp. Greenidge started 40-plus games in college at Villanova, largely at left tackle, so he does offer some experience in that role even if it’s been limited to the college game.

If worst comes to worst and the Falcons defensive front overruns all options (or, knock on wood, another injury strikes) the Saints can always call on all-star right tackle Ryan Ramczyk to flip back to his college position on the left side. But doing so would require someone else to step into Ramczyk’s spot, which would only introduce new problems and more instability across the board. It’s why the Saints gave Omameh the start and activated Greenidge. Here’s hoping the Saints can have this game well in hand soon enough that they don’t have to consider it.

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Falcons list inactives: WR Julio Jones will not play vs. Saints

Wide receiver Julio Jones missed all of practice this week, but it was a short week and the veteran usually gets time off. After being listed as questionable on Wednesday, Jones will not play, according to the team’s inactives list.

The Atlanta Falcons (3-8) are set to kick off in about an hour against the visiting New Orleans Saints (9-2) in a Thanksgiving night NFC South battle.

Wide receiver Julio Jones missed all of practice this week with a shoulder injury. After being listed as questionable on Wednesday, Jones will not play, according to the team’s inactives list.

Tight ends Austin Hooper and Luke Stocker are both out, along with defensive end John Cominsky. Check out the full list below:

Atlanta will go for a two-game sweep over New Orleans, but the team has just one win this season in front of its home crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

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Falcons vs. Saints inactive players: Julio Jones out, Marshon Lattimore in

The New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons published their inactive lists, with WR Julio Jones ruled out while CB Marshon Lattimore returns.

The New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons published their official list of inactive players for Thursday night’s kickoff, which headlines the NFL’s slate of Thanksgiving games. And the game’s most notable omission is Falcons all-star wide receiver Julio Jones, who was ruled out for this game with a shoulder injury after being listed as questionable to play on the official injury report.

However, the Saints will be seeing the return the cornerback Marshon Lattimore and returns specialist Deonte Harris, who missed the last two games with hamstring injuries. Those are two huge additions to the defensive secondary and special teams return units, though New Orleans still has to work around the absence of starting left tackle Terron Armstead (high-ankle sprain) and left guard Andrus Peat (broken arm).

Here’s the full list of Saints and Falcons players who will be watching this one from the sidelines:

From the Saints

  • FB Zach Line
  • OT Terron Armstead
  • OG Andrus Peat
  • TE Dan Arnold
  • DE Carl Granderson
  • CB Patrick Robinson
  • FS Saquan Hampton

From the Falcons

  • DE John Cominsky
  • OT Matt Gono
  • TE Austin Hooper
  • WR Brandon Powell
  • DT Deadrin Senat
  • TE Luke Stocker

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Watch: Falcons vs. Saints Thanksgiving game preview

The Falcons can’t salvage their season after starting 3-8, however, a Thanksgiving night victory over the NFC South leading New Orleans Saints would complete a season sweep of the team’s most-hated rival.

The Falcons can’t salvage their season after starting 3-8, however, a Thanksgiving night victory over the NFC South leading New Orleans Saints would complete a season sweep of the team’s most-hated rival.

While it seems unlikely, Atlanta did beat the Saints convincingly just three weeks ago. After a nice win over the Panthers the following week, the Falcons came crashing back to earth during Sunday’s loss to the Bucs.

As you sit around waiting for the Cowboys–Bills game to be over, check out this pregame hype video the team released previewing tonight’s matchup:

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Behind Enemy Lines: 4 questions with Saints Wire

To help us preview this holiday matchup, we went behind enemy lines with John Sigler, the managing editor of Saints Wire. Here are four questions ahead of tonight’s game.

The Atlanta Falcons haven’t given their fans much to be thankful for this season, but one bright spot was the team’s Week 10 upset over the Saints.

Three weeks later, Atlanta has a chance to complete a season sweep over New Orleans in front of its home crowd on Thanksgiving. To help us preview this holiday matchup, we went behind enemy lines with John Sigler, the managing editor of Saints Wire.

Here are four questions ahead of tonight’s game.

It’s hard to imagine the Saints being able to win without Drew Brees in years past. What’s the biggest difference between this year’s team and those of previous seasons?

SW: Complementary football is the name of the game for the Saints this year. The team is getting huge contributions out of the defense and special teams units, whether it’s the defense stopping the Panthers six times inside the 10-yard line to close out last week’s game, or if it’s Thomas Morstead and the punt coverage unit downing more than half his tries inside the opposing 20-yard line. The offense has been up and down all year, but the Saints have made up for it by playing well in the other two phases. That’s a luxury Drew Brees and company haven’t always enjoyed, and when all three groups are firing on all cylinders, they’re tough to stop.

What happened to you guys in that Week 10 loss? Was it simply a fluke against a division opponent, or a sign of bigger problems for the Saints over the second half of the season?

SW: They just executed poorly, especially on offense. Michael Thomas was the only weapon who could make a play. Their offensive line was bullied by the Falcons defensive front. The Saints defense had unusual breakdowns in run discipline, and the loss of Marshon Lattimore opened up Atlanta’s passing attack. Whether the Saints weren’t dialed in after the bye week or simply laid an egg against a common opponent can’t be said, but they’ve played with much stronger focus in the weeks since.

Where is the weak spot on this Saints team that the Falcons could potentially attack on Thursday?

SW: There should be opportunities for Atlanta to make big gains through passes to their running backs. While nobody is going to confuse Brian Hill or an injured Devonta Freeman for Christian McCaffrey, the Saints defense often appeared to forget to assign someone to cover him in last week’s game with Carolina. He was given too much open space to run into out of the backfield and punished the Saints with 9 receptions for 69 yards and a touchdown. If New Orleans hasn’t figured out their coverage assignments against running backs, Matt Ryan will be able to toss layups all night long. Also, keep an eye on the Saints offensive line — star left tackle Terron Armstead and left guard Andrus Peat are out.

Game prediction/score?

SW: I think the Falcons are going to have too many injuries at too many positions to keep up with the Saints. New Orleans has finally gotten tight end Jared Cook going as a compliment opposite Thomas, and they’ll find ways to put up points. I question whether the Falcons can match them blow-for-blow considering the injuries to Freeman, Julio Jones, and Austin Hooper. This feels like a game for Alvin Kamara to remind the NFL world what he’s capable of on a national stage. Give me Saints 30, Falcons 24.

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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.

NFL picks against the spread for Week 13 Thanksgiving games

Thanksgiving is mostly about the underdogs in these football games.

Week 13 of the NFL kicks off with three games on Thanksgiving. As always, the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys will play at home. The nightcap will be an NFC South showdown between the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons.

Here are our picks for each of those games, based on the point spread and point totals.

All odds come from BetMGM.

Chicago Bears (-2.5) at Detroit Lions

(AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

ATS pick: Bears -2.5

Over/under: UNDER 39.5

The Lions have lost four in a row and now will have their third-string quarterback, David Blough, under center, as Jeff Driskel hurt his hamstring on Sunday. That combined with the Bears’ very tough defense will mean an ugly early Thanksgiving game.

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2020 Pro Bowl fan voting: 5 Saints players lead the NFC at their positions

Five New Orleans Saints players lead the 2020 Pro Bowl in voting at their positions for the NFC, including longtime punter Thomas Morstead.

Voting for the 2020 Pro Bowl is in full swing, and the New Orleans Saints are proving to be a popular pick. The NFL announced Wednesday that only two teams have garnered more total votes (the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens), and five different Saints players lead their position in fan votes for the NFC. Here is who is paving the way for New Orleans:

  • Wide receiver Michael Thomas (206,882)
  • Free safety Marcus Williams (40,403)
  • Kicker Wil Lutz (43,425)
  • Punter Thomas Morstead (37,038)
  • Kick returner Deonte Harris (35,310)

On top of that, Thomas is leading the league at wide receiver in Pro Bowl votes earned, with a healthy lead on Houston Texans star DeAndre Hopkins (162,584). The days of Thomas being overlooked and underrated on the national stage are behind us: he’s being recognized as the all-world talent Saints fans have known him to be.

It’s impressive to see three Saints special teams aces being so highly considered, including both kicking specialists and Harris, the rookie returner. Morstead is playing the best football of his long Saints career, and he’s rightfully being praised by fans around the country. You love to see it.

Remember, the Pro Bowl has reverted back to its original format with team representing the AFC and the NFC; they’re no longer using the pick-em format to build teams in the days before the game. So, for now, at least five Saints players are on the NFC Pro Bowl roster — though players and coaches  have not yet cast their own ballots.

Don’t forget to vote for your favorite Saints players by accessing the official Pro Bowl ballot at this link.

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Falcons LT Jake Matthews talks about team’s offensive line issues

Atlanta lost the momentum it had built during its two-game winning streak when the team gave up six sacks in an embarrassing loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

Atlanta lost the momentum it had built during its two-game winning streak when the team gave up six sacks in an embarrassing loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

The Falcons are now 3-8 entering their prime-time Thanksgiving matchup with the Saints. Jake Matthews, the team’s veteran left tackle, talked earlier this week about what the line needs to do to get back on track in Week 13.

Watch below, as tweeted by ESPN’s Vaughn McClure:

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Watch: Falcons paint classic logo on field for Thanksgiving game

Not only will the players be wearing the team’s all-black uniforms, Atlanta’s classic old-school logo has been painted on the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Falcons are throwing things back for their Thanksgiving matchup with the Saints. Not only will the players be wearing the team’s all-black uniforms, Atlanta’s old-school logo has been painted on the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Check out this video from the team’s Twitter account showing the transformation:

Win or lose, at least the Falcons will look cool.

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