With a New Orleans Saints Week 9 game scheduled against the Atlanta Falcons, one of the nastiest rivalries in the NFL will roar to life. Here are some Saints-Falcons predictions for New Orleans.

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New Orleans Saints Week 9 Predictions

4. New Orleans Saints QB Trevor Siemian will throw one interception

The wild nature of Week 8 in the NFL — when all hell broke loose in several games — was epitomized by the reality that Saints backup quarterback Trevor Siemian outplayed Tom Brady of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was Brady who played like a career backup, while Siemian looked like the capable and steady game-manager who relied on his strong defense to win the game. Siemian got out of the way and allowed Brady to implode, enabling New Orleans to continue its regular-season mastery of Brady.

Should we expect a flawless game from Siemian against the Falcons in Week 9? Probably not. Siemian has not locked down a long-term starting position in the NFL for a reason. In all candor, as long as he isn't terrible, the Saints should still like their chances. However, Siemian will throw an interception midway through the game to prevent New Orleans from running away with a blowout victory.

3. Saints will score 13 points in the first half

This game is not going to be pretty — more on this in a bit — so 13 points in one half seems like a reasonable-enough prediction to make for the Saints in Week 9. Keep in mind that if the Saints score 13 points in each half, meaning 26 for a full game, the Falcons will have to find at least 27 points against a formidable New Orleans defense. Therefore, scoring 13 points in a half is not as alarming as it might first seem. This game will feature tough sledding for the offenses, however.

2. Saints will get three takeaways from Falcons' offense

The Saints have already needed to rely on their defense this season. They will have to do that now more than ever with Jameis Winston out. This is why New Orleans is still very likely to make the playoffs: Even when the offense is limited by injuries or has an off day (or both), the defense is still there to keep the team together and prevent games from spiraling out of control.

The Saints' defensive line against the Falcons' offensive front is a great matchup for New Orleans in Week 9. At least one strip-sack of Matt Ryan seems likely, plus a pressure-induced interception and a fumble on a hard hit. One doesn't have to be too daring or imaginative to see a game in which the New Orleans defense will make plays against an erratic Falcon offense which won't have Calvin Ridley on the field on Sunday afternoon.

1. New Orleans Saints will beat the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9

While it won't be aesthetically pleasing — get ready for some bad football on Sunday, chock-full of game-changing mistakes and slip-ups — the Saints have the hammer on defense against a suspect offensive line for the Falcons. Several sacks and forced turnovers will enable New Orleans to win again with Trevor Siemian in the saddle at quarterback.

The Saints showed in their win over the Buccaneers that roster limitations and physical diminishments won't get in their way — not too much, at any rate. New Orleans has played some ugly games (Monday Night Football against the Seahawks earlier this year), but has won most of them. That will continue against Atlanta.

Saints 26, Falcons 16, in Week 9.