Updates

Thursday, December 7, 2017 | 8:25 PM ET | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Referee: Clete Blakeman

Week 14 kicks off on Thursday night (8:25 PM ET, NBC/NFLN/Amazon) in a showdown between division rivals as the Atlanta Falcons welcome the New Orleans Saints to Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Falcons (7-5) look to gain ground on the NFC South-leading Saints (9-3). The teams meet for the 97th time (including the postseason), with Atlanta holding a 51-45 series advantage. In their last meeting in Week 17 of 2016, the Falcons defeated the Saints 38-32 behind Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan’s 331 passing yards and four touchdowns.

The Saints enter Week 14 following a 31-21 win over Carolina last week. New Orleans running backs Mark Ingram (122 scrimmage yards, one touchdown) and rookie Alvin Kamara (126 scrimmage yards, two touchdowns) combined for more than 200 scrimmage yards for the fifth consecutive game and wide receiver Michael Thomas had a touchdown reception in the victory. Kamara, who ranks fourth in the NFL with 1,220 scrimmage yards, became the third rookie in NFL history with at least 600 rushing yards (606) and 600 receiving yards (614), joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Charley Taylor (1964) and Billy Sims (1980). Quarterback Drew Brees has 6,127 career completions and surpassed Peyton Manning (6,125) for the second-most completions in NFL history. Only Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre (6,300) has more career completions.

Atlanta looks to rebound following a 14-9 loss to Minnesota in Week 13. Falcons safety Ricardo Allen led the team with a career-high 10 tackles and defensive end Takkarist McKinley, who ties for the NFC rookie lead with five sacks, recorded a sack in his third consecutive game. Atlanta wide receiver Julio Jones ranks third in the NFL with 1,063 receiving yards and is averaging 104.6 yards per game over his past five games. Quarterback Matt Ryan reached 3,000 passing yards (3,057) for the eighth consecutive season. In his past six games against New Orleans, Ryan has 1,970 passing yards (328.3 per game) with 14 touchdowns and one interception for a 115.4 passer rating.

LEADER: Falcons lead all-time series, 50-45
LAST GAME: 1/1/17: Saints 32 at Falcons 38
STREAKS: Falcons have won past 2
LAST GAME AT SITE: 1/1/17

ON THE AIRWAVES

TV: NBC/NFLN/Amazon Prime (8:25 PM ET): Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Heather Cox (Field reporter)
NATIONAL RADIO: Westwood One: Ian Eagle, Tony Boselli | SIRIUS: 88 (WW1), 81 (NO), 83 (Atl) | XM: 88 (WW1), 81 (NO), 83 (Atl)

SAINTS NOTES

• QB Drew Brees has 6,127 career completions & surpassed Peyton Manning (6,125) for 2nd most all time. Aims for 7th in row vs. Atl. with 300+ pass yards. Has 1,361 yards (340.3 per game) & 7 TDs for 98.1 rating in past 4 vs. Atl. Has 8 TDs vs. 2 INTs for 102.7 rating in past 6 on road.
• RB Mark Ingram leads NFL with 9 rush TDs. In past 4, has 444 scrimmage yards (111 per game) & 5 rush TDs. Has 7 TDs (6 rush, 1 rec.) in past 5 vs. Atl. Aims for 3rd in row vs. Atl. with 100+ scrimmage yards & TD. Rookie RB Alvin Kamara is 3rd rookie in NFL history with 600+ rush yards (606) & 600+ rec. yards (614). Ranks 4th in NFL with 1,220 scrimmage yards. Has 529 scrimmage yards (132.3 per game) & 4 TDs (2 rush, 2 rec.) in past 4 on road. Kamara & Ingram aim for 6th in row with 200+ combined scrimmage yards.
• WR Michael Thomas had 10 receptions for career high 156 yards & TD in last game vs. Atl. Aims for 3rd in row vs. Atl. with rec. TD. In past 2 on road vs. division, has 17 catches for 243 yards (121.5 per game) & 2 TDs. WR Ted Ginn, Jr. has TD in 2 of past 3 vs. NFC South.
• DE Cameron Jordan is 1 of 3 in NFL with 10+ sacks (10) & 50+ tackles (52). Has 5 sacks & 2 FFs in past 6 on road. Has 8 sacks, FF & FR in his past 9 vs. Atl. S Kenny Vaccaro had sack in Week 13. Has 2 INTs in his past 4 on road. S Vonn Bell is only NFL safety with 60+ tackles (61) & 3+ sacks (3.5). Has 26 tackles, 2 sacks & FF in his past 3. DT Sheldon Rankins has sack, FF & INT in past 3 on road.

FALCONS NOTES

• QB Matt Ryan has 1,970 pass yards (328.3 per game) & 14 TDs vs. 1 INT for 115.4 rating in past 6 vs. NO. Aims for 7th in row vs. NO with 100+ rating. In past 7 at home vs. division, has 2,522 pass yards (360.3 per game), 16 TDs & 3 INTs for 120.7 rating.
• RB Devonta Freeman has 718 scrimmage yards (143.6 per game) & 6 TDs (3 rush, 3 rec.) in past 5 vs. NO. Aims for 3rd in row vs. NO with 100+ scrimmage yards & TD. In past 2 on Thursday, has 261 scrimmage yards (130.5 per game) & 2 TDs (1 rush, 1 rec.). RB Tevin Coleman has 5 TDs (4 rush, 1 rec.) in past 5. Has 4 TDs (3 rush, 1 rec.) in past 2 vs. NO.
• WR Julio Jones leads NFC with 1,063 rec. yards. Has 361 rec. yards (120.3 per game) & TD in past 3 at home vs. NO. Aims for 5th in row at home vs. NFC South with TD catch. In past 3 on Thursday, has 23 catches for 365 yards (121.7 per game) & 3 TDs. WR Mohamed Sanu had rec. TD in last game vs. NO. Has 2 TDs in his past 3 vs. division.
• LB Vic Beasley, Jr. had sack in last game vs. NO. LB Deion Jones has 15 tackles, 5 PD & 90-yard INT-TD in 2 career games vs. NO. Has 36 tackles (9 per game) in past 4 vs. division. S Keanu Neal had FF in last meeting. Jones (96) & Neal (91) are 1 of 3 pairs of teammates in NFL with 90+ tackles each. Rookie DE Takkarist McKinley aims for 4th in row with sack. Ties for 1st among NFC rookies with 5 sacks. CB Robert Alford ties for NFC lead with 15 PD.