Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
It hasn’t been the season that the organization and fans expected. Some costly injuries, underperforming offense and inconsistent defensive play have led the team into a downward spiral as the final weeks of the 2025 NFL season approach. While that could be confusing for the New Orleans Saints, that’s actually been the story of the Atlanta Falcons’ year thus far.
While the Saints are building momentum after a rough start to the year, the Falcons are on a losing streak after having what was noted as one of the best offseasons across the league. In order to better understand what’s happened in Atlanta and what challenges the team is looking to overcome in New Orleans in Week 12, here are five things you must know about the NFC South rivals.
1. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is done for the season, and veteran Kirk Cousins will take his place.
The Falcons will be going back to their veteran starter from last season with Penix’s knee injury sidelining him. Atlanta acquired both quarterbacks in the same offseason just a year ago, and as it was turning the operation over to its young passer, the team is now forced to double back. Cousins has started one game already this season, a 34-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins that had an eerily similar situation to what Atlanta must navigate this week.
2. Wide receiver Drake London is expected to miss some time.
London is also managing a knee injury and could miss multiple weeks. He did not participate in the Falcons’ first practice of the week and will be a name to watch headed to the game. Much like in the loss against the Dolphins earlier this season, the Falcons may be without Cousins and London on the offensive side of the ball.
3. Atlanta does not own its first round pick in 2026.
There will be no motivation for the Falcons to lose out this year, despite their current five-game skid. Atlanta traded its first round pick in 2026 as a part of the package sent to the Los Angeles Rams in order to select pass rusher James Pearce Jr. in the 2025 draft. If the Saints tie on a second-consecutive win, it won’t be because the Falcons are posturing for better draft position.
4. The Falcons could be getting a key defensive player back against the Saints.
While their offense suffers, the Falcons’ defense could be getting a boost. Linebacker Divine Deablo is nearing his return to the field. As an athletic second-level player, he could make things challenging for Saints’ rookie quarterback Tyler Shough.
5. 15 Falcons defenders have been in on sacks.
For all of the concerns centering around the Falcons this season, the pass rush has not been one of them. Atlanta has compiled the least amount of combined sacks across the NFL over the previous 20 seasons. However, the team ranks No. 2 in the NFL in that category in 2025. A large reason for that success has been the sheer number of players that have made it to opposing quarterbacks rather than one player breaking out as a sack artist. The Saints’ protection unit will face an intriguing test this weekend.
