Saints vs. Falcons 2016 Season Finale Match-Ups to Watch
By Bob Rose
Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Willie Snead (83) runs after a catch while defended by Atlanta Falcons cornerback Robert Alford (23) in the first quarter of their game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Saints “Young Guns” (Cooks, Thomas, and Snead) vs. Atlanta cornerbacks Robert Alford, Desmond Trufant and Jalen Collins
The Saints trio of wideouts Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead and Michael Thomas have become the key to the New Orleans aerial assault.
Yes, Drew Brees will still spread the ball around to 6-8 different receivers, like he always has, but the passing games productivity is quite obviously dependent on the abilities of these young men.
Rookie Thomas leads the Saints in receptions with 82 of them for 981 yards and 8 scores. Cooks is one of the best deep threats in the NFL, and has 1,154 yards and 8 touchdowns on his 75 catches.
Snead, who was injured for the first game between the 2 teams, is Brees’ most trusted target with 69 receptions and 813 yards. Atlanta’s pass defense is ranked only 24th, and gave up 376 yards to Brees & Co. in their last meeting.
The Falcons corners have been inconsistent and vulnerable all season long, and even more so since placing Desmond Trufant on injured reserve. Robert Alford and Jalen Collins only have a combined 3 interceptions between them.
New Orleans should be able to roll up some big passing numbers against this defense, providing that Brees has the chance to find his young weapons down the field.
Leading us to our next vital match up, which is….