Can The Saints Pull Off An Upset Against The Falcons

It has been a grueling season for the New Orleans Saints, but a spark finally ignited during their last game. Rookie Tyler Shough stepped onto the field and looked like a seasoned pro against the Carolina Panthers, effectively hitting the reset button on the team's energy. Now the question is whether that flash of brilliance was a fluke...or if there is enough magic left in the tank to spoil things for a bitter rival.

The Saints are technically still alive for the playoff...barely. But to keep that faint heartbeat going, they have to take down a beat-up Atlanta team this weekend that might be dealing with more than just a few bruised egos.

Will The Falcons Be Sleeping On The Job?

One of the biggest storylines heading into this weekend isn't just about x's and o's...it is about the clock, more specifically time zone changes. The Falcons are dealing with a brutal combination of significant injuries and the lingering effects of international travel that could leave them sluggish on the field.

The Falcons are on a 5-game skid, where their last three weeks included a trip to New England, then a trip to Berlin (to have Jonathan Taylor run all over them), and last week a brutal loss to the Carolina Panthers at home. In their last two games, they've needed overtime to settle the final score. This Falcons team has to be tired.

Not only are the Falcons tired, they're hurt. Starting quarterback Michael Penix, Jr has been ruled out for the rest of the season. Their top wide receiver, Drake London, is probably sitting with a PCL strain. They also placed tackle Tyrone Wheatley, Jr on Injured Reserve this week.

Can Tyler Shough Keep The Magic Going?

There's still buzz about what Tyler Shough did against the Panthers, because it was easily the best quarterback play we have seen in New Orleans all year. He looked confident in the pocket, and finally gave the fans in the Louisiana something to cheer about.

Now the question is whether he can do it against a real defense like Atlanta. If Shough can replicate even half of that production, this game goes from a guaranteed loss, to a very winnable fight for the Black and Gold. But he's going to need to lock in, because the Falcons defense is their best asset.

What Are The Experts Predicting In The Saints Versus Falcons?

The oddsmakers seem to think this is going to be a tighter contest than the records would suggest. While the Falcons are favored, the line has been moving a bit as news of their injuries and travel fatigue starts to spread.

Most predictions have the Falcons winning close, but there is a growing sense that an upset is brewing in New Orleans. If the Saints can control the clock and exploit that fatigue...we might just be talking about a winning streak on Monday morning.