The New Orleans Saints face off against the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday, and both teams are coming off of a bye week. This is a pivotal matchup as it will decide who is in first place at the end of the week. These teams are very familiar with each other, but this is their first game against each other in 2023.
Going into the game there are four matchups you need to watch, two from each side of the ball. These games will not only be the most entertaining matchups of the game, they’ll also be the most influential matchups in this game. Here are the four defining matchups to watch in the Saints versus Falcons in Week 12.
Taysom Hill vs. Atlanta Falcons
It’s just something about facing the Atlanta Falcons that bring the best out of Taysom Hill. The Falcons were the one team that made it look like Hill could be the Saints future starting quarterback.
Hill has played in 20% or more of the offensive snaps in seven games versus Atlanta. He has scored a touchdown in all but one of those games. He’s scored as a passer, rusher and receiver. If Taysom Hill isn’t a big part of the New Orleans game plan this week, serious questions need to be raised.
Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier vs. Saints front seven
Robinson and Allgeier are the definition of a shared backfield. Each running back has exactly 125 carries through the first 10 games. Robinson has lived up to the hype in many ways during his rookie season. He has already proven himself to be dynamic in the rushing and receiving game.
This will be the best running game the Saints have faced this year. New Orleans has done a decent job keeping most running backs in check. They struggled against Jonathan Taylor until the Colts decided to not run him in the second half. This is a Taylor-level threat. The Saints have to handle this matchup.
Drake London vs. Saints cornerbacks
Drake London might not command the attention of being shadowed by a number one corner, but with Marshon Lattimore out due to injury, the Saints definitely won’t shadow. Paulson Adebo is a physical corner who likes to play aggressively. London’s size will make that an interesting matchup. The Saints secondary has been the strength of the defense, and limiting London could equally limit the Falcons passing game.
Chris Olave vs. A.J. Terrell
Michael Thomas’ injury puts a real spotlight on this matchup. There will be even more pressure on Olave and Rashid Shaheed to produce. Olave does lineup in the slot often, so this matchup won’t be seen every snap. When it does happen, however, it’ll be entertaining football. Both Terrell and Olave are highly talented young players.
