Bitter NFC South rivals meet in Atlanta when the Falcons host the New Orleans Saints

Updated Sep. 27, 2024 4:31 p.m. ET

Associated Press

New Orleans (2-1) at Atlanta (1-2)

Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, Fox

BetMGM NFL Odds: Falcons by 2

Series record: Tied 55-55.

Against the spread: Saints 2-1, Falcons 1-2.

Last meeting: Saints defeated Falcons 48-17 on Jan. 7, 2024, at New Orleans.

Last week: Saints lost to Eagles 15-12; Falcons lost to Chiefs 22-17.

Saints offense: overall (9-T), rush (6), pass (20), scoring (2).

Saints defense: overall (21), rush (8), pass (25), scoring (5).

Falcons offense: overall (20), rush (18), pass (18), scoring (26-T).

Falcons defense: overall (18), rush (27), pass (11), scoring (13-T).

Turnover differential: Saints plus-4, Falcons minus-2.

Saints player to watch

S Tyrann Mathieu. He had an interception in the end zone against Philadelphia, giving him three takeaways in three games. Mathieu has a pair of interceptions, along with a forced fumble that he also recovered. He'll look to add to his totals against an Atlanta team that is minus-2 on turnovers for the season.

Falcons player to watch

RB Bijan Robinson. The second-year player will have something to prove after being thrown for a 3-yard loss on fourth-and-1 in the final minute to preserve Kansas City's victory. Robinson was a big part of the Falcons offense the first two weeks, when he had 32 carries for 165 yards rushing as well as nine catches for 68 yards receiving. But the Chiefs largely shut him down, limiting Robinson to 31 yards on 16 carries. Other than a 17-yard reception, he didn't have a play longer than 7 yards.

Key matchup

Atlanta's offensive line vs. New Orleans' defensive front. Chase Young, Carl Granderson and eight-time Pro Bowler Cameron Jordan will look to turn up the heat on Falcons QB Kirk Cousins, who was sacked twice and hit 10 times in the loss to the Chiefs. Atlanta struggled to keep Cousins clean after two starting linemen — center Drew Dalman and right tackle Kaleb McGary — went down with injuries. Longtime Saints stalwart Jordan is playing a more limited role in his 14th season. He's now third in the Saints rotation behind Young and Granderson and still looking for his first sack, tackle for loss and QB hurry this season.

Key injuries

The Saints took a major hit to their offensive line when C Erik McCoy sustained a groin injury against the Eagles. He will require surgery and be sidelined six to eight weeks. The Saints ruled out two other starters: offensive right guard Cesar Ruiz (knee) and linebacker Demario Davis (hamstring). ... The Falcons also are hurting on the offensive line. Dalman was placed on injured reserve with a sprained ankle, while McGary was ruled out with an ailing knee. Ryan Neuzil gets the start at center in place of Dalman and Storm Norton takes over at right tackle for McGary.

Series notes

One of the NFL’s most bitter rivalries began in 1967 when the Saints entered the league as an expansion team, one year after the launch of the Falcons. With the NFL-AFL merger in 1970, they were placed in the same division and have met twice a year every season since. The result of all those games? Each team has won 55 times. ... The Falcons dominated in the early years, but the Saints have had the upper hand in recent seasons with 10 victories in the past 13 meetings. ... With a 21-18 win at home in 2022, the Saints evened the series record (54-54) for the first time since 1969. ... It remains even after a split of the 2023 games. ... The only time the Saints led the series was after the very first meeting in 1967, a 27-24 victory at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans.

Stats and stuff

The Falcons have converted on third down just 2 of 9 times in each of their first three games, making them 6 of 27 (22.2%) on the season. ... The Saints have allowed just four touchdowns this season. ... The Falcons have been dominated in time of possession in all three games. Pittsburgh and Philadelphia both had a more than 10-minute edge, while the Chiefs finished with a 34:57-25:03 advantage. ... Atlanta is looking to reach 2-2 for the third season in a row. The Falcons haven't had a winning season or made the playoffs since 2017. ... New Orleans punted five times against the Eagles after punting only once in each of its first two games. ... Atlanta LT Jake Matthews has started 164 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NFL. ... The Falcons have allowed four touchdowns on 11 red zone opportunities for opposing offenses. ... New Orleans scored only one touchdown last week after getting in the end zone 11 times during its first two games. ... Saints RB Alvin Kamara had 127 scrimmage yards (87 rushing, 40 receiving) in Week 3 and is one of two NFL players, along with Philadelphia's Saquon Barkley, to have at least 110 scrimmage yards in each of his first three games this season. Kamara leads the NFL in scrimmage yards with 417. ... Mathieu has 35 interceptions, tied for the most among active players with Minnesota's Harrison Smith. Mathieu had three INTs in two games vs. the Falcons last season. ... Saints WR Chris Olave had 86 yards receiving last week, his second straight game surpassing 80 yards. ... Atlanta S Justin Simmons has been targeted just six times on 81 coverage snaps this season, allowing two receptions for 12 yards when he was the nearest defender in coverage, according to Next Gen Stats.

Fantasy tip

Falcons WR Darnell Mooney is on the rise after a couple of down seasons with the Chicago Bears. A low-key signing by the Falcons in free agency, he has 11 receptions for 154 yards over the past two weeks. Mooney gives Cousins another inviting option on the outside along with Drake London.

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