GDT: Saints at Falcons

[CGI_Ram]

Thanksgiving Day: New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons Prediction and Preview

For the second time in three weeks, NFC South rivals New Orleans and Atlanta will meet, this time on Thanksgiving night in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This marks

athlonsports.com

Thanksgiving Day: New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons

For the second time in three weeks, NFC South rivals New Orleans and Atlanta will meet, this time on Thanksgiving night in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This marks the second straight season the teams will play each on the holiday. The Saints won last year's Turkey Day meeting, 31-17.

New Orleans (9-2) can clinch the division title by beating the Falcons, something they weren't able to do earlier this season when Atlanta ambushed the Saints 26-9 in the Superdome in Week 10. That snapped New Orleans' six-game winning streak but the team has won its past two games both against NFC South foes.

This past Sunday, the Saints jumped out to an early 14-0 lead over Carolina and were up 31-18 late in the third quarter before the Panthers railed. After Carolina tied the game with a little more than nine minutes remaining, Drew Brees led another late fourth-quarter drive to set up Wil Lutz' 33-yard, game-winning field goal as time expired. New Orleans got an assist from Carolina kicker Joey Slye, who missed three kicks, including a 28-yard field goal that would have given the Panthers the lead with two minutes to play.

After knocking off the Saints, the Falcons won back-to-back games for the first time season with a victory over Carolina. But Atlanta wasn't able to maintain the momentum, falling at home to Tampa Bay last Sunday. The Buccaneers rattled off 18 straight points to break open a close game and went on to win 35-22 behind 446 yards of offense.

New Orleans at Atlanta
Kickoff: Thursday, Nov. 28 at 8:20 p.m. ET
TV: NBC
Spread: Saints -7

Three Things to Watch

1. Curtailing Michael Thomas

Last Sunday in Atlanta, the Falcons reverted to the defensive woes they were experiencing prior to their bye week. Jameis Winston looked like a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback against the Falcons, piling up 313 passing yards and three touchdowns. Chris Godwin torched Atlanta for 184 yards and two touchdowns on seven catches.

Pass defense has been an issue for the Falcons all season. They are giving up 266.4 yards per game through the air, which ranks 27th in the NFL. They also have surrendered 22 touchdown passes, a number surpassed by only four teams. Opponents have completed 68.4 percent of their pass attempts, tied for the fourth-highest percentage. Part of the blame falls on a pass rush that has mustered only 18 sacks, third-fewest in the league.

If Godwin could enjoy his most productive day against Atlanta, one must wonder what Thomas could do against the Falcons' secondary. He currently leads the NFL in targets (124), the average number of receptions per game (9.5) and average receiving yards per game (112.9). His six touchdowns are tied for seventh. If a wide receiver ever deserved consideration for MVP, then Thomas is making his case.

Despite the lopsided loss to the Falcons a couple of weeks ago, Thomas did his part. He caught 13 passes, the most in a game this season. His 152 receiving yards rank as his second-highest total so far this year. If Drew Brees can find anyone else who can draw some attention from the Falcons' defensive backs, Thomas should produce another dominant performance.

2. Protecting Drew Brees

The first meeting proved to be embarrassing for the Saints' offensive line and painful for Brees. The Falcons sacked Brees six times for 46 yards. The running game managed just 52 yards on 11 attempts. The offense committed six penalties for 50 yards. The linemen accounted for four penalties (holding, tripping and two false starts).

The mistakes continued against Carolina. The line was flagged three times, twice for holding and once for a false start, totaling 24 yards. Additionally, Carolina declined another holding call and one for an illegal shift. The good news: The Panthers got Brees down on the ground just twice for 11 yards.

3. Motivation for both teams

Multiple factors should spur the Saints toward victory. With a win, they would secure the NFC South title and the automatic playoff bid that goes with it. They find themselves in a tight race with San Francisco for the top seed in the playoffs. Additionally, the Falcons embarrassed the Saints in New Orleans earlier this month.

In contrast, why would the Falcons care about this game? They have been mathematically eliminated from any chance of winning the division. Their faint wild-card chances require winning their final five games plus hoping that both Green Bay and Minnesota lose all of theirs, and they'll still need help. Do they have any interest in playing spoiler and denying their Saints the opportunity to celebrate on the Falcons' home field?

Final Analysis

It would seem that the Saints would be at a disadvantage by playing on the road during a short week. However, they have a tremendous amount at stake. Is there any chance of dismissing the Falcons and looking ahead to next week's showdown with San Francisco for the No. 1 seed in the NFC? That is highly unlikely after the embarrassing beating suffered against Atlanta less than three weeks ago.

In contrast, it appears that the Falcons' burst of competitiveness has ended. The reality of their postseason prospects has dawned on them. As frustrating as this season has been for the Falcons, letting a rival munch on turkey and don divisional championship hats on their home turf after a victory will worsen their plight.

Prediction: Saints 34, Falcons 24

 

[CGI_Ram]

ROD SportsBook:

2019 Week 13 New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons

Thu, Nov 28 2019, 20:20 EST, NBC

ramsondemand.com

 

[CGI_Ram]

ROD SportsBook Thanksgiving Special Bets:

2019 Week 13 Thanksgiving Day Parlays

Thu, Nov 28 2019, 12:30 EST, 16:30 EST, & 20:20 EST. Select the 3 outright winners. (This is NOT on handicap). If any of the 3 games ends in a tie ALL 8 parlays will be void and settled as a push.

ramsondemand.com

 

[CGI_Ram]

2019 NFL – New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons Preview & Pick - The Stats Zone

Match facts, team news & pick for New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons

www.thestatszone.com

2019 NFL – New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons

THE FACTS

When is New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons taking place? Friday 29th November, 2019 – 01:20 (UK)

Where is New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons taking place? Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

What is the expected weather for New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons? 11c with clear skies and closed roof

What television channel is New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons on? Sky Sports will be showing live NFL games during the season so it is worth checking their schedule

Where can I stream New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons? Subscribers to NFL GAMEPASS can stream matches live on their platform

Where can I get tickets for New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons? Check Ticketmaster for ticket information on selected games

What was the outcome in the last meeting? Atlanta Falcons 26-9 New Orleans Saints

THE TEAM NEWS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

• New Orleans Saints have responded well to their defeat at the hands of NFC South rivals Atlanta Falcons back in week 10 by winning their last two games against Tampa Bay and Carolina, and they will now look to avenge that shock loss to the Falcons.
• After being held to just nine points in that loss to the Falcons, Drew Brees and the offense have bounced back in style, scoring 34 points in each of their last two matches, and Brees throwing for three touchdowns in each of those games.
• In the previous meeting three weeks ago, Alvin Kamara had just returned from injury and only ran for 24 yards on his four carries but they will look to get the run established early on with him and Latavius Murray, and they have all their key players available for this Thanksgiving match.

ATLANTA FALCONS

• Atlanta Falcons are coming off a 35-22 loss against divisional rivals Tampa Bay on Sunday but their performances have been much-improved since the coaching changes they made prior to the week 10 victory over the Saints.
• The defence was the key behind the victories against the Saints and the Panthers but they slipped to their old ways against the Bucs, who scored 35 points against them with WR Chris Godwin picking up two touchdowns and seven catches for 184 yards.
• Neither RB Devonta Freeman nor TE Austin Hooper have played since picking up injuries in the Saints match back in week 10, while star WR Julio Jones is rated as questionable after picking up an injury to his right shoulder in the loss to the Bucs.

THE PREDICTION

The Falcons' win over the Saints in Week 10 was one of the surprises of the season but it is hard to see their defense stopping Brees for a second game. The Saints' star quarterback was held without a touchdown the entire game, and he will be desperate to prove that was an off-day as he has been showing in the two matches since then. The Falcons are missing some key parts to their offense, and the 9-2 Saints should avenge that loss and get a win in Atlanta.

 

[Angry Ram]

Let's go Falcons!!! Sweep the aints!!!

 

[Reddog99]

Pulling for the Falcons but I think the Saints take this one.

 

[VegasRam]

Jared Cook strikes again.

 

[VegasRam]

That’s the Cook I know and love....





...to hate.

 

[Angry Ram]

The more I watch the aints, the more I see a gimmick offense. They are so undisciplined to boot. They "aint" getting far in the playoffs

 

[Mojo Ram]

I thought we had problems up front. Geezus.

 

[Raptorman]

The more I watch the aints, the more I see a gimmick offense. They are so undisciplined to boot. They "aint" getting far in the playoffs

Maybe, but they are the first team to clinch a playoff spot this year.

 

[Angry Ram]

Maybe, but they are the first team to clinch a playoff spot this year.

 

[CGI_Ram]

What we learned from Thursday's Thanksgiving games

Mitchell Trubisky led Chicago back from a second-half deficit to defeat Detroit, and Josh Allen surprised the football world by leading the Bills past the Cowboys. Here's what we learned Thursday.

www.nfl.com

New Orleans Saints 26, Atlanta Falcons 18

1. We're not even into December, and New Orleans has secured a playoff berth. Such was the state of the NFC South this season, as the Panthers (5-6) lost Cam Newton, the Falcons lost their way and the Buccaneers (4-7) remained lost at sea. The Saints' Turkey Day triumph over Atlanta clinched the division for New Orleans for the third consecutive season, a feat the franchise has never accomplished before. New Orleans will be assured at least one playoff game in the Superdome, where they are 6-1 in the Asshole Face era, with the one loss being, well, that loss. But the Saints are in the market for more than just one home game on the first weekend of January. At 10-2, New Orleans is 1.5 games ahead of the NFC North leader and is just a half-game back of the conference-leading 49ers. The Saints can get a leg up on San Francisco next week when they host those Niners in a Bayou matinee. A first-round bye and home field advantage is well in the Saints' sights for the second straight season.

2. Eighteen days after New Orleans fell at home to Atlanta in arguably the upset of the season, the Saints exacted revenge by leaning, not on their bread-and-butter combo of Drew Brees and Michael Thomas, but on their dominant defensive line and their Swiss Army knife in pads. Without left tackle Terron Armstead protecting his blind side, Brees (184 yards) was effective if not prolific throwing to Thomas (a season-low 48 yards) and Jared Cook (85 yards on three catches, and as many drops), but when New Orleans needed some voodoo magic on Thursday night, it turned to Taysom Hill. Hill's night began with a blocked punt on Atlanta's first possession. On the Saints' ensuing 30-yard drive, Hill, lined up as a receiver, scored the first touchdown, a 3-yard receiving score on a jet pop pass from Brees. Late in the second quarter, with New Orleans facing a short third down in Atlanta territory, the Saints took out their franchise signal-caller in favor of Hill, who took the shotgun snap and sped through the offensive line 30 yards to the house, putting New Orleans up 17-6. Hill logged 13 offensive snaps (his most since Week 8) and 35 total (his most since Week 2) in the victory. With the first two-touchdown performance of his career, Hill reminded us of the threat he can pose on any given play -- on offense or special teams -- and why he could be an X-factor for the Saints during their march into the postseason.

3. Whereas Hill won the game for New Orleans on offense, Cameron Jordan and the front seven secured the victory on the other side of the ball. With Atlanta missing starting left guard James Carpenter (concussion), New Orleans hurried Matt Ryan (312 yards) all night long, collapsing the pocket quickly and forcing the former MVP into some poor decisions. Ryan enjoyed arguably his worst game of what has been an above-average season, losing a fumble on a scramble and throwing two picks over the middle, including one to rookie defensive tackle Shy Tuttle, who stiff-armed Ryan into the next county on the ensuing interception return. It was never going to be easy for the Falcons, who were without Julio Jones (shoulder) and Austin Hooper (knee) and were left with the likes of Christian Blake (57 yards) and Jaeden Graham (41 yards, TD) to make big plays. But matters were made worse by their offensive line play, which couldn't keep Ryan upright. The signal-caller took 13 QB hits and nine sacks, which coach Dan Quinn pointed out were "too many" sacks, in the loss. Four of those QB takedowns came courtesy of Jordan who welcomed rookie right tackle Kaleb McGary to the NFL ... 12 games into his first year. After the Saints sacked Ryan just once in Week 10, the meeting of New Orleans' D-line and Atlanta's O-line this time around was more indicative of an unstoppable force meeting a readily movable object.

 

[Mojo Ram]

Saints on track for NFC champion runner up three peat.