(Photo: Clutchpoints)
NFC Game Of The Week
Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints
Falcons: The talent is there. I was high on Drake London during his college days at USC, Kyle Pitts was another one I raved about at Florida and I even said he reminded me some of Jimmy Graham with his ability to make plays on the ball as Jimmy did during the prime years of his career. Kyle has a Wide Receiver’s background and they use him as one. Then, I can’t forget Bijan Robinson from Texas. He was one of the best Running Backs in the country and I can admit it’s been an up and down year for him, but when he’s utlized correctly, he’s a factor. Those three players I just listed make a formidable big three of some sorts. The only issue regarding the Atlanta Falcons is the Quarterback play. I understand he was up and down the final few years of his career, but they haven’t had some consistency at the position since Matt Ryan and people tend to forget he won an MVP and helped lead this franchise to the Super Bowl in 2016. Taylor Heinicke isn’t the long term answer and neither is Desmond Ridder. I don’t care how good he was in college, I just don’t see him as being the franchise Quarterback for the next decade or so. What has this franchise done since hiring Arthur Smith? They haven’t come close to winning the division since he took over as the Head Coach and they haven’t sniffed the playoffs. To fix this franchise, they need to draft a Quarterback and hire more of an experienced Head Coach. They will wrap up their season in New Orleans on Sunday.
Saints: When they signed Derek Carr, I was excited because they finally had a veteran Quarterback under center. Ever since Drew Brees retired in 2021, they’ve had instability at the most important position which is Quarterback. Then again, it’s tough to replace a future Hall of Famer like that and the Saints aren’t the only team that’s struggled after a Hall of Fame Quarterback left. Outside of them, look at the New England Patriots after Tom Brady left for Tampa Bay. They’ve only been to the playoffs once, then, you have the Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning. Ever since Super Bowl 50, they haven’t sniffed the playoffs. New Orleans hasn’t won the division or made the playoffs since 2020, Drew’s final year in the league. The Saints have been such a weird team this year and I’ve had a tough time figuring them out because they’ve been so consistently inconsistent. One week, they show flashes of being the group we had imagined they’d be and a week later, they’re playing down to their competition and struggling to move the ball. I think they need a change at Head Coach because Dennis Allen isn’t the guy to lead this group moving forward. He’s no Sean Payton either (but he has his own issues to deal with). The only consistent part of this entire team has been their defense which is one of the best in the league and has been the last few years or so. On paper, they were the favorites to win this division and should’ve been in the drivers seat from the get go, but it didn’t necessarily pan out that way. Believe it or not, they still have a chance to win this awful division that is the NFC South and they will host the Falcons on Sunday at the Superdome.
Falcons X-Factor: Bud Dupree– When he’s healthy, he’s a force. Back when he was with the Steelers, Bud and T.J. Watt were one of the best defensive tandems in the league. At 6’4, he has the long arms to help deflect the ball, get those hands in the air and he’s a nice piece when it comes to stopping the run. His speciality is pass rushing and that’s what he was known for during his college days at Kentucky.
Saints X-Factor: Rashid Shaheed– This has been Derek’s go guy outside of Chris Olave. Anytime the Saints have taken a shot down the field, Rashid is the guy they target. Can you imagine if Brees had played with this guy? It would be an instant connection between the two. He’s quick enough to take the top off the coverage and will sneak by you if you don’t zoom in on him. It’s amazing to me that he was undrafted.
Final Thoughts: This is a deep rivalry in the south. These teams don’t care much for each other and the fans also dislike each other. When they first met this year, the Falcons beat the Saints and kept New Orleans out of the end zone. Both teams are fighting for the division believe it or not. If the Saints win this game and the Buccaneers lose to the Carolina Panthers, the Saints will win the division. It’s the same scenario for the Atlanta Falcons as well. A win along with a Tampa Bay loss will give them the division title and a home playoff game sometime next weekend. Both of these teams have been difficult to figure out if I’m being honest. You just never know which version of them you’re going to get. I’m picking the Saints to win this game on Sunday afternoon.
Prediction: Saints 24, Falcons 17
