SO MUCH TO GAIN
Victory today would be big for Falcons or Saints
NEW ORLEANS — For New Orleans Saints rookie sensation Alvin Kamara, today’s rematch with rival Atlanta is all about unfinished business.
Kamara, a Georgia native whose collegiate days included time at both Alabama and Tennessee, has 1,336 yards from scrimmage and a team-leading 12 touchdowns as both a runner and receiver. But he played little in the first meeting with the Falcons this season.
He was knocked out of the Dec. 7 matchup in Atlanta with a concussion during the Saints’ first offensive series and watched the rest of the game, which the Saints lost 20-17, on a television in the locker room.
“It was annoying, really. That’s all I can say. Of course I wanted to play, but we’ve got another one,” said Kamara, who was selected to the Pro Bowl this past week, as was fellow Saints running back Mark Ingram. “We can get some payback. So I think that’s what we’re kind of looking at.”
If the Saints (10-4) do indeed get payback, they’ll clinch their first playoff berth since 2013 and also could win the NFC South if Carolina (10-4) loses to Tampa Bay (4-10). If Atlanta (9-5) wins, it will have swept the season series with New Orleans for a second straight year and could move into a first-place tie with the Panthers. The Falcons host Carolina in the regular-season finale next Sunday.
The versatile Kamara is one of three Saints players — along with Ingram and receiver Michael Thomas — who have gained more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage this season. Kamara will try to give the Saints a little more ammunition this time against the Falcons, who have won five of their past six games and have a dynamic running back tandem as well with Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman.
Freeman has 174 rushes for 806 yards and seven touchdowns, plus 25 catches for 212 yards, and Coleman has 139 carries for 593 yards and five touchdowns, plus 21 catches for 245 yards and two touchdowns.
“If you like running back play, this is the game,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “There’s four good ones that all are unique catchers, runners, (have) toughness, can make guys miss — all the ingredients that you’re looking for.”
Both teams have veteran quarterbacks who are worthy of the elite label when at their best. The Saints’ Drew Brees has completed 71.8 percent of his passes this season for 3,850 yards with 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The Falcons’ Matt Ryan has completed 65.2 percent for 3,490 yards with 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Each team also has a 1,000-yard receiver — last week, Thomas joined Atlanta’s Julio Jones above that benchmark — and is ranked 11th or better in total defense.
But beyond the talent level and the high stakes in the push for the playoffs, one of the biggest draws of this game is the eagerness each team has to beat the other. Atlanta leads the series 52-45 between these regional rivals since both teams were founded in the 1960s, and they share common ground in enduring many frustrating seasons before finally finding success.
Their first meeting this season was highly competitive, with New Orleans threatening to take a late lead until Falcons linebacker Deion Jones made a leaping interception of a Brees pass to the end zone.
Saints coach Sean Payton was so wound up, he was flagged — and later fined — for running onto the field to yell at an official a few plays later. The penalty allowed Atlanta to run out the clock and secure the victory.
“We definitely feel the pent-up energy when it comes to an Atlanta week and especially after the way we lost the last game (against the Falcons),” Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan said. “Clearly, we know we have a chance at redemption.”
Payton’s frustration didn’t end that night. He made a point of calling out officials for inconsistent enforcement later, too, going so far as saying it’s a problem the NFL’s leadership needs to address.
Quinn said he did not believe Payton was trying to preemptively influence officials in this week’s rematch. But Quinn also said he didn’t recall anything unusual about the officiating during the teams’ first meeting and added that he generally sees no point in complaining about it after the fact.
“That’s his prerogative and his opinion. I don’t share it,” Quinn said when asked about Payton’s criticism of officials. “Every game is different. The plays are different. The crews are different.”
Quinn is more focused on winning the turnover battle. Atlanta’s most recent win against New Orleans came despite Ryan throwing three interceptions and the Falcons’ defense creating just one takeaway. The Saints have picked off five passes in their past two games and have 16 this season, tied for fourth-most in the NFL.
Quinn said penalties have nullified six Atlanta interceptions this season. While Deion Jones had a crucial interception against the Saints, the Falcons have only four all season, tied with Oakland for fewest.
“We know that’s going to be a factor in this game,” Quinn said. “Who takes care of it better, who goes after it better and who has more explosive plays.”