FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — On Sunday, the Falcons will face the New Orleans Saints for the 110th time, continuing a rivalry that dates back to 1967.
The 2024 Saints have garnered attention for their high-powered offense. Despite a 12-point performance in Week 3’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans ranks second in the NFL with 103 points scored this season, trailing only the Buffalo Bills, who have 113. No other team has surpassed 85 points through three games.
Atlanta’s defense has also had a strong start, allowing an average of 20.3 points per game, tied for 13th in the league. However, the Falcons have been on the field longer than most defenses, aside from the Indianapolis Colts. This suggests they need to improve at getting off the field faster.
Falcons safety Jessie Bates III emphasized the importance of stopping the run on first downs. “We’ve been in a lot of third-and-short situations,” Bates said. “If we can dominate on first downs, it will help make the opposing offense one-dimensional.”
However, limiting the Saints’ versatile offense is easier said than done. Although it’s early in the season, New Orleans presents a tough challenge. They’re highly efficient, ranking second in third-down conversions (nearly 53%), third in red-zone success rate, and 10th in time of possession. They also lead the NFL with three touchdowns over 50 yards and are tied with the Bills for seven touchdowns from 10+ yards out.
The Saints have been productive, scoring 3.32 points per drive, and 77.3% of their first downs lead to either another first down or a touchdown. Much of their success is due to key players like Alvin Kamara, who is enjoying a resurgent season. Kamara leads the league with 417 yards from scrimmage (285 rushing, 132 receiving) and is tied for the most touchdowns with five.
“He’s an outstanding player,” said Falcons head coach Raheem Morris. “We’ve drafted players specifically to try and stop him.”
Quarterback Derek Carr is also performing well in his 12th season, on track to set career highs in touchdown passes, yards per attempt, and yards per completion. His chemistry with wide receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed has been a key factor.
Olave leads the team with 12 receptions for 178 yards and a touchdown, while Shaheed has 169 yards on just seven catches, with an impressive 24.1-yard average. Though Shaheed has only seven receptions, he’s tied with Olave in targets (14) and has demonstrated a big-play ability that could make him a significant threat.
Shaheed’s explosive potential, along with the presence of Carr, Kamara, and Olave, makes the Saints’ offense particularly challenging to defend. The Falcons will need to stay alert to his game-changing abilities.
“Every time Shaheed is on the field, you have to be aware of where he is,” Bates said. “He can change the game in an instant.”
