NFL Show
The New Orleans Saints play host to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon in a crucial NFC South showdown from Caesars Superdome. Both teams come into this one still chasing the dream of a division title, though both also have a margin of error that is growing incredibly thin. The Falcons come in having lost two in a row, while the Saints are following suit. In the first matchup of the season, the Saints were able to come away with a one-point win on the road back in the season opener, as the Falcons will be needing revenge in this one.
The first meeting of the season between these two teams was one of the best games of the NFL season from a fan perspective, though remains a heartbreaker for Atlanta. In that one, they blew a fourth-quarter double-digit lead at home, which is difficult to overlook. In this rematch, they now have to hit the road against their rival, in a game that they know they need to find the win in. They've lost back-to-back games by single digits while having lost four of their last five games overall. The schedule doesn't necessarily get any easier after Sunday's game, so the pressure is certainly starting to mount. The Falcons have been dreadful on the road this season but if they can turn things around in this one, it could go a long way toward where they find themselves at the end of the regular season.
The injury report hasn't been the kindest to Atlanta over the last few weeks either. Marcus Mariota (knee) hi t the IT last week, joining Kyle Pitts (knee) as two key offensive pieces who are unavailable. The defensive side has fared better, though Casey Hayward (shoulder) remains a key absence in the secondary.
“I'm prepared for this.”
Since the moment Desmond Ridder became a Falcon, never – not once – was he spoon-fed the playbook. Never – not once – did coaches hold his hand or baby him. He was being pushed. Why? Because they knew this moment would come. https://t.co/7uhhW7lcWx
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) December 14, 2022
Controlling the ground on both sides of the ball will be the top priority for this group on Sunday. The Falcons rank fourth in the league in rushing and with Desmond Ritter getting his first start if his young career, they'll need to take the pressure off of him. The Falcons have limited weapons at their disposal at wide receiver as well, which should make his fast start even more difficult. On the defensive side, forcing the Saints into leaning on their own passing game, should play to their advantage. Rashaan Evans (134 tackles) has established himself as one of the best linebackers in the league and he'll be sure to make his presence known in this one.
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