Six Points: Saints vs. Falcons
While the New Orleans Saints (6-9) and the Atlanta Falcons (8-7) won't be playing in the postseason in 2015, both teams are looking to finish off the season on a high note. After the Falcons stunned the previously undefeated Carolina Panthers in Week 16, they're hoping to continue that momentum. For the Saints, it was a superb performance from Drew Brees, who is playing with a torn plantar fascia, as well as running back Tim Hightower, which helped lead them to a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Both teams are coming off victories, and this one could quickly turn into a battle of Drew Brees and Brandin Cooks vs. Matt Ryan and Julio Jones. Which team will end the 2015 NFL season on a winning streak, and which team calls it a year with a tally in the loss column?
Here are three keys to the game for both the Saints and the Falcons.
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1. Keep getting the ball to Hightower
It's been an incredible comeback story for Hightower, and now he has a juicy matchup against the Falcons to finish off the season. While Atlanta hasn't been bad from a rushing yardage perspective (1,362 yards to opposing running backs), they've allowed the second-most rushing touchdowns to the position with 15. To top it off, Atlanta has allowed the most receptions to opposing backs with 101 on the year, resulting in 778 yards and three receiving touchdowns. Expect Hightower to get plenty of touches this week.
2. Find the end zone first and grab an early lead
We saw in Week 16 what happens when New Orleans can grab an early lead. They were up 24-0 against the Jaguars, and it made life a good bit easier on everyone, including the defense. In four of New Orleans' six wins, they held the lead first in the game, and in five of the six wins they were the first team to score a touchdown. With Brees playing stellar football right now, except New Orleans to air it out early and look to build on the momentum from their Week 16 victory.
3. Keep Delvin Breaux on Julio Jones
Breaux has done a stellar job in 2015 shutting down elite wide receivers, and his most recent performance against the Jaguars was worth talking about. As Joel A. Erickson of The New Orleans Advocate reported, Breaux was targeted eight times by Blake Bortles, and gave up just two catches for four yards. He also had an interception, a pass deflection leading to another interception and four total pass breakups. Expect Jones to see a heavy dose of Breaux in the Week 17 matchup.
1. Get the passing game going early and often
The Saints have been woeful against opponents' passing games in 2015, allowing 27 touchdowns to opposing wide receivers, and an amazing 43 touchdowns to opposing quarterbacks. Basically, New Orleans has been picked apart in 2015 by quarterbacks. With Matt Ryan getting a bit of confidence back after a 70-yard touchdown to Julio Jones in Week 16, expect Atlanta to air it out right out of the gate in Week 17.
2. Send pressure in the face of Drew Brees
While the Falcons still rank last in the NFL in sacks (19), they managed to get two on Cam Newton in Week 16, and it was a game-saving strip-sack that held the lead for Atlanta with under two minutes left. If Atlanta can keep the intensity up with their pass rush, they have a good chance of grabbing their second win in a row. Expect Vic Beasley Jr. to play a big role this Sunday against the injured Brees, who likely won't be moving around too much in the pocket.
3. Utilize Devonta Freeman in the passing game
The Saints have allowed opposing running backs to catch 89 passes for 886 yards and six touchdowns. That equals out to the most receiving yards to the position in the NFL. We know that Freeman can catch passes, as he has 71 for 560 yards and two touchdowns on the year. While Ryan will be throwing often, expect Freeman to be one of the biggest benefactors in this Week 17 matchup.