Falcons vs Saints MNF Preview: Can Atlanta Carry Momentum Into New Orleans?

By Simon Carroll

The NFL’s Week 4 action comes to a close in the Caesars Superdome on Monday night, with the Atlanta Falcons travelling to New Orleans for an NFC South showdown that already carries plenty of weight. Both teams enter at 1-2, but they arrive at this rivalry game from very different places after their respective Week 3 outings.

For Atlanta, last Thursday’s trip to Green Bay represented exactly the sort of performance the Falcons needed after a miserable opening fortnight. Michael Penix Jr. returned to the starting lineup and immediately provided a spark, while Bijan Robinson exploded for 194 rushing yards and two touchdowns as Atlanta powered its way to a 35-14 victory over the Packers. The Falcons ran for 242 yards in total, turning what had been a struggling offense into the driving force behind one of Week 3’s biggest results.

New Orleans, meanwhile, suffered a frustrating 35-27 home defeat against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Saints have shown plenty of attacking promise through the opening three games, with quarterback Tyler Shough throwing for 917 yards and eight touchdowns, while Chris Olave has emerged as one of the most productive receivers in the league. Yet turnovers and pressure have undermined that production, with New Orleans having already surrendered 10 sacks this season.

That sets up an intriguing divisional battle. Atlanta’s defense has been particularly strong against the run, allowing just 143 rushing yards through three games at an NFL-best 2.8 yards per carry, while the Saints have demonstrated considerably more firepower through the air.

Penix and Robinson: Atlanta’s New-Look Offense

The biggest storyline coming out of Week 3 was undoubtedly the return of Michael Penix Jr. After missing the opening two games, Penix stepped back under center against Green Bay and looked immediately comfortable, completing 72% of his passes for 256 yards and a touchdown. More importantly for Atlanta, his presence appeared to unlock the rest of the offense.

The Falcons did not need Penix to throw the football 40 times, because Bijan Robinson was doing considerable damage on the ground. His 194-yard performance was one of the standout individual displays of the week, and his ability to consistently create explosive plays gives Atlanta an entirely different dimension when Penix is operating the passing game.

That could be particularly significant against a Saints defense which has already surrendered 386 rushing yards at 4.7 yards per carry, according to Squawka’s Week 4 breakdown.

There are still questions surrounding Atlanta’s passing game, however. The Falcons have averaged just 17 points per game through three weeks, ranking 27th in the NFL, despite producing 340.7 yards per game. The disparity tells its own story: Atlanta can move the football, but finishing drives consistently has been a problem.

Penix’s return potentially changes that equation. Drake London has already accumulated 274 receiving yards, while Kyle Pitts and the rest of Atlanta’s receiving corps give the quarterback plenty of options when New Orleans inevitably looks to slow Robinson down.

Can Shough Exploit Atlanta Through the Air?

The Saints have arguably offered the more convincing passing attack through the opening three weeks. Shough has thrown for 917 yards and eight touchdowns, completing 68.9% of his passes, while Olave has caught 27 passes for 375 yards. Against a Falcons defense which has been exceptional against the run, New Orleans may have little choice but to put the game in Shough’s hands.

Olave could be the crucial matchup. He enters Monday night having already produced nine catches for 107 yards against the Raiders and has been one of the Saints’ most consistent offensive weapons. Atlanta will need to find a way of limiting his influence without giving Shough easy opportunities elsewhere.

There is a potential opening for the Falcons, though. Atlanta has recorded only five sacks this season, but New Orleans has allowed 10, creating an obvious pressure point for a defense that will want to make Shough uncomfortable.

The Saints will also have to account for the loss of running back Travis Etienne Jr., who is expected to miss time after suffering a hamstring injury against Las Vegas. Kendre Miller therefore faces an increased workload against a Falcons defense which has been extremely difficult to run against.

A Rivalry With Plenty Riding On It

This isn’t simply another early-season divisional game. Atlanta and New Orleans are both 1-2, with Carolina also sitting at 1-2 and Tampa Bay yet to record a victory. New Orleans begins NFC South play on Monday night, while also attempting to even the all-time regular-season series with Atlanta at 57-57.

The rivalry has been remarkably competitive over the years, and the recent history adds another layer. Atlanta swept the Saints last season, meaning New Orleans will have an opportunity to immediately reverse some of that momentum when the teams meet under the Superdome lights.

There is also the simple matter of what a victory does to the division picture. At 2-2, either team would emerge from Week 4 with its record levelled and a valuable divisional victory in the bank. With the NFC South still wide open, those head-to-head results could become increasingly important as the season progresses.

And with Monday Night Football providing the stage, neither side will lack motivation.

Boyle Sports: 25% Bet Builder Boost

If you’re looking to get involved with Monday night’s NFC South clash, Boyle Sports are offering a 25% Bet Builder Boost on Falcons vs Saints.

The promotion featured in the attached offer is available alongside the £30 in Free Bets when you join and bet £10 new-customer offer. The terms state that the 25% boost applies to qualifying Bet Builders, with a maximum stake of £20 and a maximum payout of £1,000. Singles, free bets, void and cashed-out bets are excluded, and the boost is paid after settlement.

So, whether you’re backing a particular game script or putting together a Bet Builder around some of the key players and markets, Monday night’s divisional clash gives you plenty to consider.

18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&Cs Apply  18+. UK/IRE, online only. Min odds 3/1. Max stake £/€20. One bet per match. Boost paid after settlement. Max payout £/€1,000. Singles only. Free, void & cashed-out bets excluded. Acc/payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.

Mock Draft

SIMON CARROLL

Lead Writer, Head of Content

PREVIOUSLY THE FOUNDER OF NFL DRAFT UK, SIMON HAS BEEN COVERING COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND THE NFL DRAFT SINCE 2009. BASED IN MANCHESTER, SIMON IS ALSO CO-CREATOR & WEEKLY GUEST OF THE COLLAPSING POCKET PODCAST, COVERS THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS FOR SB NATION and is A college football writer for dazn.

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