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We’re back for another edition of Falcons vs. Saints this Sunday, which fills me with considerable apprehension. The drubbing Atlanta suffered last time out simply can’t be repeated, for the sake of our sanity and because it will make Sean Payton 1% more smug, which is intolerable.
A win here would lift the Falcons to 5-7 with a murderer’s row of opponents still to come, which means it’s unlikely to be a transformative win. It would, however, make us happy and slightly dent the chances of New Orleans getting the top seed in the NFC, which would make it incredibly worthwhile. To get there, Atlanta will have to protect Matt Ryan, scheme receivers open, and get Ryan to follow through by delivering the ball more quickly to keep the offense moving. The defense will have its moments of frustration against Taysom Hill and company, but I like their chances of once again holding the Saints under 30 points, and they may even have learned enough to make a greater impact this time out.
Here’s what you’ll need to know to watch.
Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints, Week 13
When: Sunday, December 6, 1 p.m. EST
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Channel: FOX
Announcers: Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma, Shannon Spake
Streaming: FOXSportsGo
Radio: 92.9 The Game
Key Questions: The biggest one is whether the Falcons will be able to counter a very successful Saints defense putting pressure on Matt Ryan and clamping down hard on Atlanta’s receivers, but we also want to know if Julio Jones will be healthy and if the Falcons can stop Taysom Hill from running roughshod over them.
Prediction: That Raiders win was more or less the polar opposite of the Saints loss, in that it was unexpectedly great instead of unexpectedly truly putrid. I want to believe Atlanta’s going to win this one but I know how good the Saints are and how badly the Falcons struggled last time out, soooo....Falcons 20 - Saints 27
SB Nation Opposition Site: Canal Street Chronicles
2020 Falcons Schedule (4-7)
Week 1: Loss vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week 2: Loss at Dallas Cowboys
Week 3: Loss vs. Chicago Bears
Week 4: Loss at Green Bay Packers
Week 5: Loss vs. Carolina Panthers
Week 6: Win at Minnesota Vikings
Week 7: Loss vs. Detroit Lions
Week 8: Win at Carolina Panthers
Week 9: Win vs. Denver Broncos
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: Loss at New Orleans Saints
Week 12: Win vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Week 13: at New Orleans Saints — Sunday, December 6, 1:00 p.m.
Week 14: at Los Angeles Chargers — Sunday, December 13, 4:25 p.m.
Week 15: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Sunday, December 20, 1:00 p.m.
Week 16: at Kansas City Chiefs — Sunday, December 27, 1:00 p.m.
Week 17: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Sunday, January 3, 1:00 p.m.