The Atlanta Falcons shocked the NFL just a couple of weeks ago when they dominated the New Orleans Saints on both sides of the ball and came away with a victory at the Mercedes-Bez Superdome. The two teams face off again on Thanksgiving in Atlanta, and this time the result is going to be different.
The Saints are the better team and they are going to pick up their 10th win of the season, let's breakdown four reasons why that will be the case.
4. Coaching advantage
The Saints have Sean Payton on their sideline calling the game, which is an advantage. The Falcons have Dan Quinn on the sideline calling the game (for now) and that is a big disadvantage. It's clear at this point the Falcons either don't have a lot of interest playing for him, or his message isn't sticking with them.
Either way, if the score is close late in the game, Payton is going to know what are the right buttons to push while Quinn would probably cost the Falcons the game.
3. Michael Thomas
There is more on the Falcons defense later, but Michael Thomas is a mismatch for almost any defender in the league. It doesn't matter what teams do to take him away, he finds a way to have success.
On the season he has caught 104 passes for 1,242 yards and six touchdowns. He caught 10 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers, and there is no reason he can't go over those numbers against the Falcons.
2. Falcons lack a rushing attack
The Falcons are a one-dimensional offensive attack at this point. Ito Smith is on IR and Devonta Freeman although he is questionable probably won't go in this game. Without those two guys, the Falcons have all kinds of issues moving the ball on the ground.
It was supposed to be Brian Hill that took over the starting job but he has done nothing to help the team. Against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he carried the ball times for 14 yards. Calvin Ridley was the team's second-leading rusher against the Buccaneers and he only had 15 yards.
The Saints' defense is going to be able to key in on the Falcons' passing game because the rushing attack won't hurt them.
1. Falcons lack pass defense
The Falcons were effective in pass coverage during their last matchup against the Saints as they managed to keep Drew Brees out of the end zone. He did throw for 287 yards and some of that came in garbage time.
The good news for the Saints is that the Falcons' pass defense is back to being terrible. In Atlanta's last game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they allowed Jameis Winston to throw for 313 yards and three touchdowns. They did pick off two passes, but that is expected with Winston under center.
Brees should have no issues moving the ball up and down the field and the Falcons will have no answers. If you are a fan of the Saints or Brees, be sure to tune in because this is going to be a special game for the visiting team.
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