The New Orleans Saints are coming off a big win over the Jacksonville Jaguars amid rumors that it might be the last home game in the Mercedes-Benz Super Dome for head coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees. Brees, whose status was in doubt throughout the week after he tore his plantar fascia in Week 15, had a stellar day, throwing for 412 yards and three touchdowns, and the Saints won 38-27, extending their overall record to 6-9.
Saints vs. Falcons 2016 live stream: Start time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Both the Falcons and the Saints will want to finish disappointing seasons strong against their most hated division rival.
Jeanna Kelley has been covering the Falcons for The Falcoholic since 2011 and the NFL for SB Nation since 2015.
The Saints will finish the season on the road against their most hated division rival, the Atlanta Falcons. The 8-7 Falcons are coming off an unlikely win over the Carolina Panthers, who were undefeated entering Week 16. The Falcons were eliminated from playoff contention Sunday with the Minnesota Vikings’ victory over the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football, but have an opportunity to finish with a winning season with a win over New Orleans in Week 17.
The Saints and Falcons previously met in Week 6 of the 2015 season, when the Saints broke Atlanta’s five-game winning streak with a 31-21 victory. The Falcons lost three fumbles, and the Saints blocked a punt and ran it in for a touchdown. Despite a late-game surge, with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to narrow the Saints’ lead to 10, the Falcons looked outmatched throughout.
The New Orleans offense poses problems for any defense, and Atlanta’s defense has had difficulty pressuring opposing quarterbacks. Brees’ mobility, such as it is, was impacted against the Jaguars by his injury, and the Falcons had a lot of success pressuring Cam Newton in Week 16. It seemed as if losing running back Mark Ingram to injured reserve several weeks ago might adversely impact them, but Tim Hightower was a definite factor in the Saints’ win over the Jaguars. The veteran back rushed for 122 yards and two touchdowns, and the Falcons will have to account for him Sunday.
The Saints’ defense has been one of the worst in the league throughout the season. New Orleans ranks second-to-last in overall defense, allowing 413.4 yards per game, and it set an ignominious record in Week 16 for the most passing touchdowns allowed in one season with 43.
Julio Jones is a challenge no matter who’s tasked with trying to cover him, and the Saints’ secondary will have its hands full against the dynamic receiver. New Orleans has also struggled against the run, allowing an average of 132.3 yards per game on the ground. When these teams met in Week 6, Devonta Freeman had 100 rushing yards and one touchdown, and Tevin Coleman added 40 rushing yards on four attempts against New Orleans.
The Falcons are carrying a lot of confidence into this week’s game after their big win over Carolina just two weeks after being shut out by the Panthers in Charlotte with a final score of 38-7. They’ve rebounded from their earlier six-game losing streak and will look to finish strong for rookie head coach Dan Quinn. The Saints, with the uncertainty surrounding the futures of Payton and Brees in New Orleans, will be just as motivated to get a win in enemy territory.
Last year, the Falcons swept the Saints, giving Atlanta fans something pleasant to reflect on from the team’s second consecutive losing season. The Saints could give their fans the same kind of solace with a win in Atlanta.
How to watch
When: 1 p.m. ET Sunday
Where: The Georgia Dome, Atlanta
TV: FOX
Commentators: Sam Rosen, Matt Millen, Peter Schrager
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