Key matchups: Saints vs. Falcons
The 2-1 New Orleans Saints are preparing for an NFC South showdown with the 1-2 Atlanta Falcons. The Saints are coming off of a tough low-scoring 15-12 loss to the Philidelphia Eagles after being dominated in multiple facets of the game. Now, New Orleans will look to utilize these key matchups to get back in the win column.
Saints secondary vs. Falcons receivers
Despite only allowing 15 points, the Saints’ pass defense struggled against Philidelphia. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts put up 311 yards through the air with 120 yards coming from receivers and another large bulk coming from tight end Dallas Goedert, who burned the Saints’ secondary for 170. Atlanta houses an elite receiving tight end of their own in fourth-year tight end Kyle Pitts and will look to utilize him against a group of safeties coming off a rough game.
The Falcons also have one of the leagueās rising receivers in Drake London. London has steadily increased his stats each of the first three weeks of the season accumulating 136 yards and two touchdowns. But for London, his next battle will be with cornerback Marshon Lattimore who had a stellar game returning from injury, earning a 72.2 grade from Pro Football Focus. Lattimore has continued to be a top cornerback in the league despite multiple injuries and he will now get a shot to continue to prove it against one of the leagueās rising stars.
Saints pass rush vs. Kirk Cousins
36-year-old Kirk Cousins is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered during the 2023 season and has struggled to begin his 2024 campaign with the Falcons. Cousins has thrown three interceptions and been sacked five times in the young season. The veteran has looked stiff in the pocket and his prior injury has limited his mobility. Now Cousins will face a strong Saints pass rush that has sacked quarterbacks 11 times in three games. New Orleansā 11 sacks have come against Bryce Young, Dak Prescott, and Jalen Hurts, all quarterbacks significantly more athletic and better at escaping the pocket than Cousins. The Falcons’ offense will likely look to utilize quick passes to try and counter, but with a banged-up offensive line for Atlanta, the New Orleans pass rush should have another productive day.
This play from #Chiefs DT Mike Pennel isn’t getting the credit it deserves. It was the epitome of playing through the whistle. He got knocked on his ass and still managed to get the sack on Kirk Cousins to force a punt. pic.twitter.com/pxaydoVH2j
ā Charles Goldman (@goldmctNFL) September 24, 2024
Saints OLine vs. Falcons DLine
After losing center Erik McCoy early in the week three matchup, the Saints’ offensive line got dominated by a strong Eagles pass rush. New Orleans will face another strong unit on Sunday against the Falcons. The offensive line was solid in the first two weeks of the season, even limiting a Dallas Cowboys pass rush that earned six sacks a week before to just one sack, but the loss of their most valuable piece in their Pro Bowl center presents multiple problems including pre-snap protection. McCoy has recently taken up the role of assigning pass protection pre-snap. With McCoy absent, Carr will likely take up the larger role again.
The Saints struggled to run the ball against Philidelphia earning just 89 yards on the ground averaging 3.1 yards a carry. Klint Kubiakās system needs a consistent ground attack to be as effective as possible. The Falcons are allowing 150 rushing yards per game to opponents, presenting a prime bounce-back opportunity for the Saints’ rushing attack.
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