FLOWERY BRANCH -- Here are three matchups to watch when the Falcons (3-4) face the Saints (5-2) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Caesars Superdome:
Saints S Malcolm Jenkins vs. Falcons TE Kyle Pitts: Jenkins, a three-time Pro Bowler, who is in his 13th season. He has 44 tackles and an interception. Pitts was held to two catches for 13 yards by Carolina’s Stephon Gilmore on Sunday. “You got to work every day at it if you want to be a good pro,” Falcons coach Arthur Smith said. “Whether they put Gilmore on him, put (Marshon) Lattimore on him, they put Malcom Jenkins. There’s a lot of good players in this league. You’ve got to be ready week to week, so it’s hard. It’s hard to sustain success in this league.”
Saints DE Cam Jordan vs. Falcons RT Kaleb McGary: Jordan, the six-time Pro Bowler, terrorized the Falcons in the first meeting last season. In the 24-9 Saints victory, he had four tackles, three sacks, three tackles for losses and three quarterback hits. In the second meeting, he had only two tackles and one quarterback hit. McGary is starting to smooth out some of the rough edges to his game, but still needs to be more consistent.
Saints RB Alvin Kamara vs. Falcons LB Deion Jones: This always is a fun matchup, as the Saints like to get Kamara the ball in space. He’s the leading rusher (133 carries for 480 yards and two touchdowns) and receiver (28 catches for 256 yards and four touchdowns). Jones is free to roam, as he normally has a defensive tackle playing in front of him. Jones has 72 tackles and seven tackles for losses.
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Falcons’ 2021 schedule features trip to London, January trip to Buffalo
Atlanta Falcons Schedule
Bye Week
Next Four Games
Falcons at Saints, 1 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 7
Falcons at Cowboys, 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 14
Patriots at Falcons, 8:20 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18
Falcons at Jacksonville, 1 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 28
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