FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — It's difficult to consider Sunday's game between the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints a simple rematch.
Yes, the two NFC South rivals already met in Week 4, when the Falcons earned a 26-24 victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. But the Saints look like a very different team entering the Week 10 contest inside Caesars Superdome.
"It is a lot different," Falcons safety Jessie Bates III said. "It's a whole different personnel."
For starters, the Saints have a new head coach. Dennis Allen was fired on Monday, following his team's seventh-straight loss. Darren Rizzi was named interim. That change has the Falcons' attention.
There's also the Saints' roster, which has undergone quite the shakeup in the past four weeks. Here's a quick look at how the Falcons' next opponent has changed during that time:
- Week 10: Cornerback Marshon Lattimore was traded to the Washington Commanders.
- Week 9: Wide receiver Chris Olave sustained a concussion and remains in protocol. Quarterback Derek Carr returned after missing three games due to an oblique injury.
- Week 8: Tight end Taysom Hill returned after missing three games due to a fractured rib. Cornerback Paulson Adebo was placed on injured reserve after undergoing femur surgery.
- Week 7: Wide receiver Rashid Shaheed was placed on injured reserve after undergoing knee surgery.
Those are just some of the more recent movements. The list doesn't note that Hill was injured in Week 4 against the Falcons, exiting after he scored two touchdowns in the first half. Nor does it mention Saints linebacker Demario Davis was inactive for the Falcons' game, marking the first time an injury held him out in 13 years.
Suffice to say, a lot has happened between Weeks 4 and 10.
"They obviously had injuries — a lot of injuries — on their team since when we played them the first time to now," Falcons running back Bijan Robinson said. "I know that's part of the NFL. I don't wish injuries upon nobody. But I know that can hurt a team a little bit or shake a team up a little bit."
The Saints' performance has suffered as a result.
Before the Saints came to Atlanta, they were 2-1, averaging 34.3 points per game. After losing to the Falcons, the Saints went 0-5 in their next five games and averaged 14.2 points.
That leaves the Saints with a 2-7 record on top of a seven-game losing streak.
"Obviously they were coming off the hot two-game start of the season, absolutely scoring a bunch of points and being really explosive," Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. "Things (then) started to fall apart for them a little bit."
Here is a look at how things have gone for the Saints.
| SAINTS | Weeks 1-3 | Week 4 @ ATL | Weeks 5-9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 34.3 | 24 | 14.2 |
| Yards per game | 343.3 | 366 | 317.4 |
| Yards per play | 6.0 | 5.2 | 4.9 |
| Rush yards per game | 153.0 | 131 | 107.6 |
| Yards per rush | 4.4 | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Pass yards per game | 190.3 | 235 | 209.8 |
| Yards per pass attempt | 8.8 | 6.5 | 5.6 |
What's interesting, though, is that the Saints' offense is moving the ball fairly well. The issue has been breaking through into the end zone.
Take their most recent performance for example. The Saints' offense posted 427 total yards but scored just two touchdowns. They ultimately lost to the Carolina Panthers, 23-22.
Nonetheless, this is a fresh Falcons-Saints game. Regardless of what has happened to New Orleans in the lead-up to their matchup, Atlanta has attempted to remain focused on itself throughout the week of preparation. After all, the Falcons are 6-3 and their 2024 goal in sight.
"The main thing is: 'Outrun the South,'" Bates said. "New Orleans is still in the way of that."
