2018 NFL schedule: Falcons will head down to New Orleans for rare Thanksgiving matchup

As you cram turkey and dressing into your mouth and debate with your uncle about the current state of political affairs this Thanksgiving, you can also be on edge as the Falcons try to best their fierce rival Saints down in New Orleans.

Nola.com’s Jeff Duncan reports that the Saints will host the Falcons for this year’s Thanksgiving finale on Thursday Night Football. Kickoff’s at 7:20 p.m.

After a super-great Deion Jones interception saved the Falcons from getting swept by their despised division foe last season, the Falcons will try to get another win in New Orleans, which they haven’t done since their magical 2016 season (an electric 45-32 victory on Monday Night Football).

The Falcons have played twice on Turkey Day over the years, a 27-7 road thumping of the Lions in 2005, and a rough 31-13 home loss to the Colts in 2007.

It’s not a bad time of the year to get the road New Orleans game, but it’s not the best time, either. It’s a road game against a very good NFC South team late into the schedule in primetime. The team will hopefully be deep into a playoff-potential season, and will be trying to push for the division crown. As always, the game down in the Superdome is one of the toughest they face, as these teams always play each other hard every go-around, no matter the quality of the opponent. But, if the season goes like we hope, this one won’t be a must-must-win, as they can usually afford one divisional loss per year.

Let’s hope the Falcons drop a Plymouth Rock on those ‘Aints and get the Turkey Day win.