Atlanta Falcons

Key matchups for the Saints against rival Falcons

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Saints play the Falcons on Monday night. Here are the key matchups that the Saints must win to have success.

The Saints are 0-2, and every day the injury report is looking more and more like a joke. Despite the record and the slew of injuries, there’s hope in the Saints camp.

On Monday night, the Falcons come to town. Atlanta dropped their first game to the Bucs but last week beat the Raiders to come to 1-1. It was tough to watch them beat Oakland after the Saints heartbreaking loss in Week 1. But that doesn’t give the Falcons any bragging rights. Those rights will go to the winner on Monday.

Many of the matchups look favorable for the Saints, but some of the most glaring mismatches are in Atlanta’s favor. Here’s my breakdown of the key matchups that the Saints must win, if they want any success on Monday.

Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Coby Fleener (82) catches the ball prior to the game against the Oakland Raiders at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Coby Fleener vs. the Falcons Linebackers

Coby Fleener has been an enigma. On the one hand, it’s clear why the Saints brought him in. He’s a great route runner, and he’s got elite speed. He’s fluid out of his breaks and looks every bit the receiving threat that he was touted to be.

But then the hands have been like a brick. Against the Giants, Fleener let a concerning amount of passes slip through his fingers, whether he failed to hang on through contact or just plain missed the ball.

But the Falcons have had trouble containing tight ends through two games. They don’t have the linebacker talent to match up with a player like Fleener.

So expect him to be heavily involved in the offense. The question is not whether Brees will look his way, or even whether Fleener can get open. The question is, can he catch the ball, hold on, and make a play. If he can’t, then the Saints may have struck out again in free agency. If he can though, that only makes this Saints offense that much more deadly.

Aug 20, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) looks up after being sacked by New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Nick Fairley (90) in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons Offensive Line vs. Saints Defensive Line

If the Saints want to have any success against the Falcons offense, it will start with the d-line. Cam Jordan put together one of his all-around performances last week and will have to do the same on Monday. He’ll be lining up against RT Ryan Schraeder for the most part, who has had trouble with Jordan in the past. Expect the Falcons to bring in chip blocks and double teams to help contain Jordan.

This should open up the field for Nick Fairley, Tyler Davison, and Paul Kruger. Kruger has yet to produce any pass rush through two games, and he faces a tough matchup against Jake Matthews. If Davison regularly lines up across Alex Mack, another tough matchup, then New Orleans has to hope Fairley wins his matchups against the Falcons guards. Fairley has had plenty of positives along with his fair share of negative moments. If the Saints want to challenge Matt Ryan, Fairley will need to bring it all together and have a complete game.

Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Andrus Peat (75) blocks Atlanta Falcons defensive end Vic Beasley (44) during the first half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Saints Offensive Line vs. Falcons Defensive Line

This should be one of the better matchups for the New Orleans Saints, at least in terms of the passing game. But with Armstead ruled out with an injury, the Saints line is suddenly looking much more vulnerable. If Zach Strief is in any way hobbled or has to come out of the game, the Saints will be desperately thin across the line. I expect Peat to get the start at left tackle, and Kelemente to step in at guard. It’s entirely possible that these roles are reversed too, if the Saints want to stop moving Peat around so much.

That said, Brees will need plenty of pocket space. The Falcons pass rush has been underwhelming to say the least. Second year player Vic Beasley and veteran Dwight Freeney have disappointed, and both are liabilities in the run game.

The run game is where this matchup is most important. If New Orleans can generate some push, and the Falcons are forced to play the offense, honestly it will open up the passing game. Dangerous.

Jan 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandon Coleman (16) stiff arms Atlanta Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant (21) after a catch in the fourth quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Saints won 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Saints Receivers vs. Falcons Cornerbacks

Desmond Trufant is a great cornerback and will likely draw the Cooks assignment. Cooks has struggled against Trufant in the past. That means, it will be on Willie Snead and Michael Thomas to contribute in the passing game. If Snead misses the game with his foot injury, I’d expect Tommylee Lewis to get in some snaps. Coleman should see action as well. For all his faults, Coleman’s size and rapport with Brees make him a viable option at receiver.

Expect Brees to test undfrafted free agent rookie nickel corner Brian Poole early and often. Poole has impressed so far, enough to earn the nickel cornerback spot. But as Saints fans know, an impressive UDFA is still an UDFA. If Snead is able to play, Poole will have his hands full in the slot.

Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (59) against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Saints Linebackers vs. Falcons Running Backs

Devonta Freeman rushed for over 1,000 yards last year and added another 500 in receptions. He’s explosive and elusive. And second year RB Tevin Coleman is emerging as a dangerous receiving threat out of the backfield. With the spotlight on the Saints’ secondary, the Saints won’t be able to fully commit to run support. Keeping Freeman and Coleman in check will be on the Saints linebackers.

If the Saints can suit up Dannell Ellerbe, it’ll be a huge boost. Ellerbe is an instinctive and explosive player who can really make a difference against this Atlanta team. If he’s not able to play, the Saints still have a talented player in Craig Robertson.

It seems entirely possible to me that the Saints will elect to play both players, taking James Laurinaitis off the field on third downs and passing situations. The tackling and reaction speed of Ellerbe and Robertson should allow the Saints to cheat towards the receivers in coverage.

Jan 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) fights for extra yardage after making a catch against New Orleans Saints cornerback Delvin Breaux (40) and defensive back Kyle Wilson (24) in the second quarter of their game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Saints Secondary vs. Julio Jones, Falcons Receiver Group

The matchup to watch will be the toughest test for New Orleans. The Saints have simply been crippled at cornerback. I don’t ever remember a unit—on any team—catching the bug this badly. It couldn’t come at a worse time, with the Saints facing two of the league’s top receivers in back to back weeks.

The Saints did their valiant best against Odell Beckham Jr. last week, limiting him to underneath catches and keeping the Giants offense out of the end zone. He still had eight receptions for 86 yards. You figure Sterling Moore will draw the Julio assignment again, where the vet has some experience. But it’s still an area of concern. De’Vante Harris and Ken Crawley, meanwhile will have their hands full with Justin Hardy and Mohamed Sanu.

Expect to see safeties, namely Vaccaro, Harper, and Vonn Bell, cover the slot on early downs. If the Saints are going to hold this talented receiver group, they’ll have to do it as a team.