Falcons Soar into NFC South, Saints Face a New Era Without Head Coach
Falcons Fly High Into NFC South Matchup; Saints Face a New Era Without Dennis Allen
This Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons will head to the Caesars Superdome to take on the New Orleans Saints in a crucial NFC South divisional contest. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET, and it promises to be an exciting matchup between two teams with contrasting momentum. Atlanta enters the game as 3.5-point favorites, with the total points over/under set at 46.5.
For the Falcons, this contest represents a chance to further solidify their standing at the top of the NFC South, while the Saints are in a state of flux following the firing of head coach Dennis Allen after their seventh consecutive loss. Let’s break down what both teams bring to the table as they prepare for this pivotal Week 10 showdown.
Atlanta Falcons: Flying High with Strong Offensive Play
The Falcons (6-3 SU, 5-4 ATS, 4-5 O/U) are rolling into Week 10 after a hard-fought 27-21 win against the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday. Kirk Cousins, in his second season with Atlanta, was sharp, completing 19 of 24 passes for 222 yards and three touchdowns. Although Atlanta’s ground game struggled, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry, Cousins’ efficient passing game—highlighted by a stretch of 13 consecutive completions—kept the Falcons’ offense clicking.
Cousins, now with 2,328 passing yards on the season, is having a breakout year, with 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. His ability to distribute the ball has been key to the Falcons’ success, as wide receivers Darnell Mooney (588 yards, 5 TDs), Drake London (552 yards, 6 TDs), and tight end Kyle Pitts (430 yards, 3 TDs) have all played significant roles in the passing game. The Falcons’ backfield, led by rookie Bijan Robinson (632 yards, 4 TDs), continues to be a versatile weapon, although Tyler Allgeier (370 yards, 2 TDs) has also made key contributions.
As a team, the Falcons are averaging 24.6 points per game (12th in the NFL) and 364.8 total yards (8th), including 246.3 passing yards (6th). Their offensive line has done a solid job of protecting Cousins, surrendering only 17 sacks on the year (8th). However, the Falcons’ offense will need to improve on third-down efficiency (38.4%, 15th) and red-zone scoring (57.1%, 13th) as they approach a tough stretch of games.
Defensively, Atlanta has been solid but not dominant. The team gives up 24.0 points per game (20th) and allows 351.4 total yards per game (20th), with opponents averaging 218.3 passing yards (20th) and 133.1 rushing yards (23rd). Despite their struggles against the run, Atlanta’s defense has been effective at limiting explosive plays and making key stops when needed, although they rank near the bottom of the league with only nine sacks (32nd).
New Orleans Saints: A New Chapter Begins Without Dennis Allen
For the New Orleans Saints (2-7 SU, 3-6 ATS, 6-3 O/U), the outlook for the remainder of the season has drastically changed. After another heartbreaking loss to the Carolina Panthers (23-22), the Saints made the difficult decision to part ways with head coach Dennis Allen. The loss marked New Orleans’ seventh consecutive defeat, leaving them at the bottom of the NFC South with little hope of a playoff berth.
Quarterback Derek Carr, who returned after missing three games due to an oblique injury, threw for 236 yards and one touchdown against Carolina. Despite outgaining the Panthers by 181 total yards, the Saints couldn’t close out the game, highlighting their ongoing struggles in key moments. Carr’s numbers for the season are a mixed bag—67.9% completion rate, 1,225 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. With Chris Olave (400 yards, 1 TD) suffering a concussion and Rashid Shaheed (349 yards, 3 TDs) also sidelined, Carr’s receiving options are limited. The burden falls even heavier on Alvin Kamara, who has been both the Saints’ leading rusher and receiver, accumulating over 1,000 all-purpose yards and seven total touchdowns.
On offense, New Orleans averages 23.0 points (15th) and 331.4 total yards (17th) per game. The passing game, with Carr at the helm, ranks 18th in the league (206.1 yards per game), while their ground attack is slightly more productive, sitting 13th with 125.3 rushing yards per contest. Unfortunately for the Saints, their offensive line has been a liability, allowing 22 sacks (24th). However, their red-zone efficiency is strong, as they convert 64.2% of their trips into touchdowns (5th in the NFL).
Defensively, New Orleans has been one of the league’s more disappointing units this season, surrendering 25.4 points per game (25th) and allowing 376.4 total yards (28th) per game. Their secondary has struggled, giving up 239.9 passing yards per game (27th), while their run defense has also been porous, yielding 136.6 rushing yards per game (25th). The Saints’ pass rush has been mediocre, totaling just 19 sacks (27th), but their defense has forced 14 turnovers (5th), keeping them competitive in certain situations.
Conclusion
In their most recent meeting on September 29, the Falcons edged the Saints 26-24 in a dramatic finish. The Saints outgained Atlanta 366-315 in total yards but were undone by mistakes, including a defensive touchdown and a special teams score by the Falcons. The game ended with Younghoe Koo drilling a 58-yard field goal with just two seconds left, giving Atlanta the victory.
Overall, the Saints hold a strong historical edge over the Falcons, going 7-3 SU in the last 10 meetings, although Atlanta has performed better in recent years, including their impressive road record this season (3-0 SU and ATS).
Unlock Winning Insights!
As Falcons and Saints battle it out, make sure you have the best information at your fingertips. Our data packages provide in-depth analysis and statistics that can help you make informed decisions and increase your chances of winning big this season!
Don’t miss out! Click the button below to explore our data packages and elevate your game strategy today!
