The New Orleans Saints are heading into an emotional Monday Night Football matchup that will be a commemoration of the team’s 2006 return to the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina. The matchup will feature the Atlanta Falcons, who 20 years ago were the visiting time at the aptly named “Domecoming” matchup.
Ahead of the Saints’ first Monday Night Football game since 2024, here is a look at how both teams compare across some of the game’s major statistical categories through the first week.
Scoring Offense vs. Scoring Defense (Points Per Game)
Saints Offense – No.11 (27.0) | Falcons Defense – No. 15 (22.7)
Falcons Offense – No. 27 (17.0) | Saints Defense – No. T-No. 26 (27.7)
New Orleans holds the edge here despite the Falcons’ recent surge of scoring against the Green Bay Packers last week. However, Green Bay is currently fielding the No. 29 defense in the NFL.
The Saints’ scoring has mostly been concentrated to three quarters or periods throughout the first three games. In this big matchup, playing all 60 minutes to their potential will be necessary to maximize their impact.
Point Differential
Saints – minus-2 (T-No. 14) | Falcons – minus-17 (T-No. 22)
With a couple of 1-2 teams, the points margins are where one would expect. However, it’s clear the razor-thin margins the Saints are operating in which could have easily resulted in them being an undefeated or at least 2-1 team.
Passing Offense vs. Passing Defense (Yards Per Game)
Saints Offense – No. 3 (281.3) | Falcons Defense – No.29 (263.0)
Falcons Offense – No.29 (167.7) | Saints Defense – No. 16 (211.7)
The Saints currently have the NFL’s No. 2 player in passing yards and No. 2 player in receiving yards. Quarterback Tyler Shough and wide receiver Chris Olave have been stellar so far this year. They enter a favorable matchup with a Falcons’ defense that has been thrown against more than any defense in the league so far through the first three weeks of the season.
This should be a strong matchup for tight ends Juwan Johnson and Noah Fant as well.
Rushing Offense vs. Rushing Defense (Yards Per Game)
Saints Offense – T-No. 16 (101.3.0) | Falcons Defense – No. 1 (47.7)
Falcons Offense – No. 2 (173.0) | Saints Defense – No. 27 (128.7)
This is where the Falcons have their best advantage. A top-two rushing offense against a rushing defense that has struggled while showing promise on defense and a No. 1 rushing defense against a Saints’ rushing attack that has only just started to show meaningful signs of life.
Falcons rusher Bijan Robinson is ranked No. 2 in the NFL in rushing yards and will be facing an advantageous matchup in New Orleans, though the Saints have fared well in recent weeks against top backs.
Turnover Differential
Saints – minus-4 (No. 27) | Falcons – minus-6 (No. 32)
Neither team has impressed in taking the football away but have often committed detrimental takeaways on offense. With quarterback Michael Penix Jr. back in control of the Atlanta offense, the Falcons are hoping he can be the gamechanger in this category they desperately needed.
Third Down Conversion Rate
Saints Offense – 53.2% (No. 4) | Falcons Defense – 35.7% (T-No. 8)
Falcons Offense – 34.3% (No. 25) | Saints Defense – 47.1% (T-No. 25)
The Saints have been outstanding when it comes to extending drives and forcing offenses off of the field on third downs. The throne in the defense’s side have been third down penalties, which were particularly costly against the Las Vegas Raiders last week.
New Orleans’ 60% third-down conversion rate on offense was the best in the era of Head Coach Kellen Moore and continues a trend of success for this season.
Pressure Rate Allowed vs. Generated
Saints Offense – 34.2% (No. 12) | Falcons Defense – 44.2% (No. 1)
Falcons Offense – 24.4% (No. 1) | Saints Defense – 31.3% (No. 29)
The Falcons have done a great job protecting their quarterback and getting after other passers. Both metrics may end up being the most important factors of this game. Shough is looking to bounce back from a fourth quarter to forget against Las Vegas and the Falcons defense won’t make it easy on him.
Saints edge rusher Chase Young has been outstanding to start the year despite facing very talented NFL left tackles in each of his three games. The issue for the Saints’ pass rush so far is that the pass rush hasn’t had a reliable second or third option on the defensive line. Instead, former Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss will have to be the one to bring the heat opposite and alongside Young.
