Saints can take firm control of NFC South by beating Falcons

One of the NFL’s better rivalries has plenty riding on its latest installment.

Saints-Falcons on Thursday night also is one of the better midweek matchups on this year’s schedule.

New Orleans leads the NFC South at 9-3, one game in front of Carolina, which the Saints have swept, and two games in front of Atlanta, which gets two shots in three weeks at the Big Easy’s team. Considering that the Saints are 3-0 in the division, they truly are in charge of the NFC South.

“We have to turn the page fast to get to New Orleans,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “We’re right back into our division. It’s all there for us, we know that.”

New Orleans is a 1-point choice over Atlanta. The Falcons badly need this one, but they’ve struggled in their spanking new MercedesBenz Stadium.

Atlanta’s playoff chances take another hit. Another test Steelers will barely pass. After loss in Seattle, Philly phans getting antsy. Calm down. Vikings’ win here establishes them as NFC’s best. Sorry ... AFC West mess starts getting settled. Chargers do their part in AFC West. have fallen, even at home.