The NFL’s Week 13 schedule begins tonight with the New Orleans Saints visiting the Atlanta Falcons in a game that both teams need to win for various reasons.
The 5-6 Saints can’t really afford another loss if they’re going to have a realistic shot at reaching the NFC Playoffs. They’ve done a remarkable job in clawing their way back into the NFC Wildcard race after starting the season 0-4, but with last week’s 31-21 loss to the San Fransisco 49ers there’s no more wiggle room for them. Every game from here on out is a playoff game and needs to be approached that way.
The Falcons come into this game with a commanding lead in the NFC South and sitting in the driver’s seat in the race for home field advantage in the NFC. Their only loss this season came less than three weeks ago in New Orleans against the Saints. They have lost four straight to their biggest rivals and have a chance to snap that streak and deliver a knockout blow at the same time, but can they do it?
I’m expecting this game to go down to the wire and become a high-scoring shootout. Falcons QB Matt Ryan and Saints QB Drew Brees combined to throw for over 700 yards and six TD’s. This will be a very entertaining game to watch,
My Pick: Falcons 34-27
