Bitter rivals sq. off in Week 12 when the New Orleans Saints host the Atlanta Falcons. The Saints are 2-8 and coming off a bye after a 17-7 street win over the Carolina Panthers. Atlanta enters in at 3-7, losers of 5 straight and coming off an extra time residence loss to those self same Panthers. The Saints are gunning for his or her first back-to-back wins in over a calendar 12 months, which included a victory within the Superdome over the Falcons.
With a season-ending knee damage to Michael Penix, the Falcons flip again to veteran Kirk Cousins at quarterback. Cousins will lead an offense that ranks in the midst of the pack, sixteenth in complete yardage, however solely twenty seventh in factors scored. The Saints counter that with a protection that ranks eleventh general, however an erratic one which has had points towards the run and go at varied factors this 12 months.
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New Orleans has had restricted success when dealing with Cousins via his lengthy profession. Especially at this stage of his profession although, Cousins wants a top quality working recreation. This is seemingly Atlanta’s greatest wager to beat the Saints, and the place we focus at present’s evaluation of Sunday’s rivalry showdown.
Falcons Running Game
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119.9 yards per recreation (thirteenth)
Bijan Robinson has been essentially the most constant a part of the Falcons offense. Robinson has three 100-yard dashing video games and three extra of over 70 yards on the bottom. He has 783 dashing yards and 4 scores whereas averaging 5 yards per carry, including one other 506 yards and a couple of touchdowns on 47 receptions whereas accounting for 55 first downs. Robinson has enough energy as an inside runner however is an absolute gamebreaker in house. The Saints will likely be challenged to not let him get to the sting or the second degree.
Backing up Robinson is Tyler Allgeier. Much extra of an influence again, Allgeier has solely 77 dashing makes an attempt for 280 yards thus far. However, he leads the Falcons with 7 touchdowns and has confirmed that he can deal with the offensive load when referred to as upon. Allgeier’s means to be a reputable risk as a runner permits Atlanta to line Robinson out vast, rising his risk as a go catcher. The Falcons offensive line would not get a ton of credit score, however they’ve proven that they will get the required push off the road of scrimmage after they decide to the run.
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Saints Run Defense
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123.8 yards per recreation (twenty first)
New Orleans has proven slight enchancment towards the run from the earlier two seasons. However, they’ve nonetheless had some notable struggles on this space in a couple of video games. They are coming off holding a run-based Carolina offense to solely 73 yards on the bottom, the third time within the final 5 outings they’ve held an opponent underneath 90 dashing yards. In 5 video games this 12 months nevertheless, New Orleans was bullied for a minimum of 135 yards on the bottom with three of these outings being over 165 yards.
Defensive linemen Nathan Shepherd, Bryan Bresee, and Davon Godchaux have had their moments on the level of assault, however have not been constant sufficient. When they will tie up blockers and shut off lanes, it permits the linebackers a free movement to the ball. This is particularly key for Pete Werner, who is strong when coming downhill however can be a serious legal responsibility attempting to stick with or chase down a runner like Robinson.
Demario Davis stays one of many NFL’s greatest off-ball linebackers. Davis has 91 complete stops thus far, together with 5 for loss. He’s not solely the center and soul of the unit, but additionally it is eyes and the tip of the sword together with his elite instincts and anticipation. Cameron Jordan and Chase Young have achieved a greater job at containment on the sting in latest weeks, however Carl Granderson nonetheless will get caught out of place towards the run too usually.
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In the secondary, Alontae Taylor is the crew’s greatest run stopper. Safeties Jonas Sanker and Justin Reid are additionally enough in run help. These three, together with corners Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley, must be disciplined of their angles to the ball service and certain tacklers. Against Bijan Robinson, this is the distinction between a 4 or 5 yard pickup and a back-breaking large achieve. Demario Davis and the defensive position should first forestall Robinson from attending to that second degree too usually, or it will likely be an extended day for the Saints protection.
This article initially appeared on Saints Wire: Saints vs. Falcons preview: Bijan Robinson is biggest challenge yet