The New Orleans Saints are travelling to play the Atlanta Falcons on Thanksgiving night, headlining the NFL’s slate of prime time games. After a devastating 26-9 loss to the Falcons back in Week 10, the Saints are looking for revenge against their NFC South rival on Thanksgiving. A Saints victory would clinch the team’s third consecutive NFC South division title and mathematically eliminate the Falcons from playoff contention.
There will be several key matchups to watch this Thanksgiving; we’ve highlighted four of them. If New Orleans can exploit and win these one-on-one battles, the Saints should be the team eating turkey legs at the end.
Falcons WR Julio Jones vs. Saints CB Marshon Lattimore
Let’s start this with a caveat, by noting that this matchup only occurs if both players are healthy enough to go on Thanksgiving. Lattimore has missed his last two games with a hamstring injury, and Jones will be a game-time decision with a shoulder issue.
Fortunately for the Saints, Lattimore has been lockdown in coverage this season — when healthy. The star cornerback held Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans to zero receptions and as many yards back in Week 5., and matched up well against Jones in Week 9 when Atlanta visited the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. During that matchup, Jones was held to three receptions and 79 yards. If Lattimore’s hamstring holds up, then Jones should have a tough time being a producing for the Falcons receiving corps on Thursday.
Falcons WR Russell Gage vs. Saints CB P.J. Williams
If both Jones and Lattimore end up being unavailable on Thanksgiving, then each team will have to lean hard on their backups. Williams has started in Lattimore’s place the last two games, and the secondary’s defense has been noticeably inconsistent. Carolina Panthers second-string quarterback Kyle Allen threw three touchdowns against the Saints just one week after throwing four interceptions (to the Falcons, of course).
However, Williams did a great job in Week 11 against the Buccaneers, especially considering he had to go up against Evans and the prolific Chris Godwin. The Falcons’ Gage is not in the same tier of receiver as Jones, Evans or Godwin, but Williams will still have his work cut out for him if the two have to lineup against each other on Thursday.
Falcons WR Calvin Ridley vs. Saints CB Eli Apple
This may be the matchup of the evening. Even if Jones and Lattimore get the start, it remains to be seen how much work either will get coming off of injuries. The most-likely scenario is that Ridley gets a larger share of Atlanta’s targets, with Apple tasked with guarding him.
Apple has made huge improvements in his game under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen this year, experiencing a renaissance in his game with sticky coverage and largely penalty-free play. That being said, Ridley has averaged over 63 yards receiving per game this year, and has added six touchdown catches. The ability for Ridley to be dynamic is absolutely there, but Apple has the talent to shutdown that outlet for Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.
Falcons LB Deion Jones vs. Saints TE Jared Cook
New Orleans tight end Jared Cook has started to really define his role within the offense the last few weeks. After returning from injury, Cook has averaged over 68 yards receiving over the last three games, and has twice found the end zone. His role in the offense seems to expanding every week as quarterback Drew Brees is gaining more trust in his new tight end.
On the flip side of the matchup, Falcons linebacker Deion Jones has recorded 53 tackles in 2019. The Pro Bowl linebacker has been one of the lone bright spots in the NFC South’s basement, often matching up with tight ends in pass coverage. Cook will have to work hard in order to make a big impact in a game where Jones is expected to run with the new tight end.
