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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