The New Orleans Saints (2-7) have had quite the tumultuous week. Now, they look to turn the page as their biggest rival, the Atlanta Falcons (6-3), come to town.
After a puzzling loss to the Carolina Panthers last Sunday, Dennis Allen was fired as the team’s head coach. Special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi has been named the interim head coach and will act as such on Sunday for the first time.
It was reported on Saturday that the Saints were likely to put wide receiver Chris Olave on injured reserve. Olave has suffered multiple concussions this season.
Kickoff inside the Caesars Superdome is set for noon on Sunday, November 10th.
CHANGE AT THE TOP
Saints head coach Dennis Allen was fired after the loss to the Panthers on Sunday. His tenure saw moments of promise, but it never quite came together, and now the Saints are moving on. Special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi is well-liked in the locker room, and he will get his chance as interim coach.
It will be interesting to see how Rizzi does. He interviewed for the head coach role when it was given to DA. Therefore, it is likely that he will have a chance this time around if he does well in this role.
TEARING IT DOWN?
The Saints have long been against the idea of rebuilding. So much so in fact that they have pushed their salaries and financial guarantees down the road repeatedly in the form of restructuring contracts. However, they may finally have been caught up to.
They traded Marshon Lattimore to the Commanders this week. While general manager Mickey Loomis has not been willing to admit that the team will do a rebuild, it is hard to believe that this team can continue to operate in “win-now” mode without some sort of rebuilding process.
PLAYING THE SPOILER
There are plenty of Saints fans who are now simply rooting for the best possible draft pick. However, the Falcons may be an exception. This rivalry runs deep, and the opportunity to spoil the Atlanta division lead is still in play.
Additionally, teams often see a boost in play the first week after a new coach takes over. We will see if that is part of this matchup on Sunday.
SERIES RECORD: Falcons lead 56-55
Last 5 Meetings:
Sept. 2024: SAINTS 24 – FALCONS 26
Jan. 2024: SAINTS 48 – FALCONS 17
2023: SAINTS 15 – FALCONS 24
Dec. 2022: SAINTS 21 – FALCONS 18
Sept. 2022: SAINTS 27 – FALCONS 26
STAT LEADERS
Saints
Derek Carr: 108-159, 1,225 Yards, 9 TD, 4 INT
Alvin Kamara: 150 Carries, 660 Yards, 6 TD
Chris Olave: 44 Catches, 400 Yards, 1 TD
Bryan Bresee & Alontae Taylor: 4 Sacks
Demario Davis: 56 Tackles (30 Solo)
Blake Grupe: 16-of-17 Field Goals, Long of 57, 19-of-21 PAT
Falcons
Kirk Cousins: 204-295, 989 Yards, 17 TD, 7 INT
Bijan Robinson: 135 Carries, 632 Yards, 4 TD
Darnell Mooney: 41 Catches, 588 Yards, 5 TD
Kaden Elliss: 78 Tackles (45 Solo)
Grady Jarrett: 2.5 sacks
Younghoe Koo: 16-of-20 Field Goals, Long of 58, 21-of-21 PAT
INJURY REPORT:
Saints
Kool-Aid McKinstry, Hamstring, Out
Chris Olave, Concussion, Out
Lucas Patrick, Ankle, Out
Rico Payton, Back, Questionable
Cedrick Wilson Jr., Shoulder, Out
John Ridgeway, Oblique, Questionable
Jamaal Williams, Groun, Questionable
Will Harris, Hamstring, Questionable
Shane Lemieux, Knee, Questionable
Nephi Sewell, Knee, Questionable
Erick McCoy, Groin, Doubtful
Falcons
JD Bertrand, Concussion, Out
Drake London, Hip, Questionable
Drew Dalman, Ankle, Questionable
