NW Atlanta News

The Atlanta Falcons are preparing for a significant matchup against their long-time rivals, the New Orleans Saints, in Week 10. The game will take place in New Orleans and promises to be an intense contest given the history between these two teams.

In terms of player availability, the Falcons have received some positive news. Inside linebacker Troy Andersen is set to return after missing over a month due to a knee injury sustained during the first meeting with the Saints in Week 4. Grady Jarrett, who left last week's game against the Cowboys with an Achilles strain, has been cleared to play. However, wide receiver Drake London remains questionable due to a hip injury and his status will be confirmed closer to kickoff.

The Saints are undergoing changes following a challenging period marked by seven consecutive losses in 2024. This led to the dismissal of head coach Dennis Allen, with Darren Rizzi stepping in as interim head coach. Despite their struggles, Kelly Price noted on "Rise Up Tonight" that "the story of this game is not as much about the Saints' response... but the Falcons' response."

Chris Olave will not be playing for the Saints due to a concussion suffered last week. He was one of Derek Carr's key targets and had performed well against Atlanta earlier this season. However, other offensive players like Rasheed Shaheed and Alvin Kamara remain available for New Orleans.

The Falcons' defense showed improvement last week against Dallas by sacking Dak Prescott three times and achieving a season-high pressure rate. They aim to replicate this performance against Derek Carr, who managed well under pressure in their previous encounter.

Offensively, Atlanta appears more cohesive than during their initial meeting with New Orleans when they won without scoring an offensive touchdown. Quarterback Kirk Cousins has been effective recently, supported by running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier.

Troy Andersen is highlighted as a potential key player for this game due to his past performance against the Saints and his fresh return from injury. His ability to contain Alvin Kamara could be crucial for Atlanta's defense.

Overall, this game serves as an opportunity for both teams: for Atlanta to continue its progress and for New Orleans players potentially fighting for future contracts amid organizational changes.