The New Orleans Saints will host their longtime rivals, the Atlanta Falcons, this Sunday in a crucial divisional contest.
With a victory, New Orleans (6-8) can clinch the NFC South outright on Sunday, but it will also need the Carolina Panthers to lose to the Cleveland Browns. The Saints can also secure the divisional title, and with it a playoff spot, with wins in each of their last two games.
In order to do that, however, coach Sean Payton’s club must first reclaim its once-celebrated home-field advantage. New Orleans has lost four in a row in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome , but if there’s an opponent that can bring out the Saints’ best efforts, it’s the Falcons.
New Orleans has reeled off three straight home wins over Atlanta, although the Saints fell to the homestanding Falcons in this year’s season opener back in September.
Payton’s squad comes in riding high after a convincing victory in Week 15. The Saints handily defeated the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football, 31-15, to retake sole possession of the divisional lead.
Atlanta, meanwhile, came up short at home to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 27-20. Coach Mike Smith’s club is a mess defensively, but the Falcons boast a prolific passing attack, and the Saints will likely need a lot of points in order to come out on top in this one.
Continue reading for a full preview of this key NFC South showdown, which kicks off Sunday at 1 p.m. ET/noon CT.
from Bleacher Report http://ift.tt/1CjUl9Q
via IFTTT December 20, 2014 at 10:16AM
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