The Atlanta Falcons (5-0) have been one of the biggest stories of the 2015 NFL season, steamrolling over opponents during an undefeated start. They'll have their work cut out for them if they want to move to 6-0 on Monday night as they travel to face a New Orleans Saints team (1-4) who, while scuffling this year, has won 13 of the last 18 games between the two NFC South rivals. Who's got the edge? Here's our Thursday Night Football: Falcons vs. Saints Preview & Prediction.
Line: Falcons by 3.5
What's The Stakes?
The New Orleans Saints' playoff hopes are already on life support. A loss to the division-leading Falcons on Thursday will all but eliminate them from playoff contention, barring a miracle. For the Falcons, this is another chance for them to showcase their wares and establish themselves as a legit Super Bowl contender.
Key To The Game:
The health of Falcons WR Julio Jones (hamstring) and RB Devonta Freeman (toe) will be the big story on Thursday. Both are expected to play without rep limitations, but if either of them aggravate their ailments, the Falcons offense will lose some of its three-dimensional effectiveness. Without them contributing in normal fashion, the playing field will be leveled for the Saints to keep up in a shootout.
What They're Saying About Atlanta:
Julio Jones not on a "pitch count"
Devonta Freeman has his teammates' attention
What They're Saying About New Orleans
How the Saints can beat the Falcons
Breaux starting to increase his role
Prediction: Falcons 37, Saints 21
This Falcons team is too deep and too hot to slow down against a Saints defense which has forgotten to show up several times this year. Atlanta wins by more than two touchdowns in a game which won't even be that close.
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