The New Orleans Saints will be entering into a make-or-break game against the Atlanta Falcons this week. Sitting at 8-8, they need to defeat their rivals while also seeing the San Francisco 49ers lose in order to make the playoffs miraculously. New Orleans knocked off the Carolina Panthers at home in an ugly defensive minded performance.
Taysom Hill is once again going to take the wheel at quarterback this week. He threw for 222 yards and a touchdown last week while leading the team with 45 rushing yards. This win over Carolina was the first time that they have scored a touchdown since the beginning of December as well, proving just how inefficient they have been. Who better to score that touchdown than Alvin Kamara as well, the leader of the offense. The Falcons were just ripped to shreds by the Buffalo Bills passing attack the other week, leaving the door open to a possible dominant performance by Kamara and Mark Ingram.
As for the Falcons, they seem to win then lose again. The alternation looks good for them right now, as they beat the Detroit Lions then lost to the Bills. If the pattern holds, they will win this game over the Saints and finish the year at 8-9. Matt Ryan is practically the only guy on this offense that has been consistent. HE threw for 343 yards and two touchdowns against the Saints earlier in the year behind a stellar game from Cordarrelle Patterson. If the Falcons want to win the game, they have to put the ball in their playmakers hands or else they will be dominated defensively.
I like the Saints chances in this game. I think that these two teams always play one another incredibly tough, which usually means that they don’t sweep each other very often. With Atlanta winning earlier in the year and New Orleans having shut out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers not too long ago, this Saints defense looks ready for a bounce back game. However, I feel less confident in the 49ers losing to the Los Angeles Rams and the Saints making the playoffs. It just feels like a whole lot has to happen in order for them to squeak in.
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers round out the season against the Carolina Panthers. IT is the second time in three weeks that they are lining up against one another this year. Tampa Bay dominated the first matchup. Their head coach Bruce Arians already stated that they won’t be resting any starters either. This team badly wants to obtain the number two seed and get home field advantage up to the NFC Championship game at the very least. They need the 49ers to win and for them to win over the Panthers in order to make that dream a reality. For the Panthers and Falcons, these games are meaningless. They are both eliminated from the postseason and instead just want to knock off their division rivals one more time before the year ends.