The Atlanta Falcons (9-5), led by quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receiver Julio Jones, meet the New Orleans Saints (10-4), led by quarterback Drew Brees and running back Alvin Kamara, in an NFC South battle, possibly for first place, in NFL Week 16 on Sunday, December 24, 2017 (12/24/17) at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Here’s what you need to know:
Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome
When: Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017
Time: 1 p.m. Eastern
TV: Fox
Livestream: Fox Sports Go
Line: Saints -6
Falcons notes: FALCONS are 9-0 when scoring 20+ points in 2017. * QB MATT RYAN is 8-2 with 3,092 pass yards (309.2 per game), 23 TDs & 5 INTs for 114.2 rating in past 10 vs. NFC South. In his past 7 vs. NO, has 2,191 pass yards (313 per game), 15 TDs & 4 INTs for 108.4 rating. Since 2016, ranks 2nd in NFL in rating (105.7), 3rd in pass yards (8,434) & ties for 3rd in pass TDs (56). * RB DEVONTA FREEMAN had 194 scrimmage yards (126 rush, 68 rec.) & TD last week. Aims for 3rd in row with rush TD. In his past 6 vs. NO, has 809 scrimmage yards (134.8 per game) & 7 TDs (4 rush, 3 rec.). * WR JULIO JONES ranks 3rd in NFL with 1,215 rec. yards. Has 57 catches for 1,090 yards (136.3 per game) & 5 TDs in his past 8 vs. division. Is averaging 96.4 rec. yards per game in his past 7 vs. NO. WR MOHAMED SANU aims for 3rd in row vs. NO with TD catch. Has 3 TDs in his past 4 on road. * DE ADRIAN CLAYBORN has 7.5 sacks, 2 FFs & 2 FRs in his past 6. Had sack in last game vs. NO. DE TAKKARIST MC KINLEY leads NFC rookies with 6 sacks & ties for 1st among NFL rookies with 2 FFs. Had sack & FF in Week 15. Has 4 sacks & FF in his past 5. LB DEION JONES leads team & ranks 4th in NFC with 118 tackles. Has 30 tackles (10 per game) & INT in his past 3. In 3 career games vs. NO, has 28 tackles, 2 INTs, incl. 90-yard INT-TD & 7 PD. CB ROBERT ALFORD ties for 2nd in NFC with 16 PD. Is 1 of 2 in NFL with 60+ tackles (60) & 15+ PD (16). S KEANU NEAL had FF last week. Has 4 FFs in his past 5 vs. division.
Saints notes: SAINTS are only team in NFL with 3 players with 1,000+ scrimmage yards each: RB MARK INGRAM (1,420), rookie RB ALVIN KAMARA (1,336) & WR MICHAEL THOMAS (1,085). * QB DREW BREES ranks 3rd in NFL with 104 rating & 4th with 3,850 pass yards. Aims for 6th in row with 100+ rating. Has 10 games with 100+ rating this season, most in NFL. In his past 9 at home vs. Atl., has 2,866 pass yards (318.4 per game), 21 TDs & 10 INTs for 101.5 rating. * RB MARK INGRAM ranks 3rd in NFC with 1,045 rush yards, his 2nd consecutive 1,000+ yard season. Had 151 scrimmage yards (77 rec., 74 rush) & 2 rush TDs last week. RB ALVIN KAMARA leads NFL rookies with 12 TDs & ranks 2nd with 1,336 scrimmage yards. Is 1 of 4 rookies in NFL history (HOFers DOAK WALKER, CHARLEY TAYLOR & GALE SAYERS) with 5+ rush TDs (7) & 5+ rec. TDs (5). * WR MICHAEL THOMAS leads NFC with career-high 94 catches. Is 1 of 2 in NFL history (ODELL BECKHAM, JR.) with 90+ receptions in each of 1st 2 NFL seasons. Has 4 TDs in his past 5 vs. division. * DE CAMERON JORDAN leads team with 10 sacks, his 3rd career season with 10+ sacks. Has 10 tackles, 3.5 sacks, FF & FR in past 2 at home vs. Atl. Rookie CB MARSHON LATTIMORE aims for 3rd in row with INT. Ties for 1st among NFL rookies with 4 INTs & ties for 3rd with 13 PD. Had INT in last game vs. Atl. S KENNY VACCARO led team with 10 tackles in Week 15. In his past 5 at home, has 1.5 sacks, FR, INT & 4 PD. — NFL Communications