ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints have similar goals of trying to complete lost seasons on high notes that offer hope the momentum can carry over into next fall.
The bad news for the NFC South Division rivals is that even extending a winning streak in Sunday’s finale at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium would come far too late to make the NFL’s 2025 campaign a success where they’re concerned.
The Saints (6-10) have won four straight games with rookie Tyler Shough starting behind center. His strong play may already have convinced management there is no need to devote a high draft pick on another quarterback.
The Falcons (7-9) have a season-best three-game winning streak and will try to complete their first home-and-home sweep of New Orleans since the 2016 season.
Atlanta will try to build on Monday night’s 27-24 upset of the Los Angeles Rams, one of three playoff-bound teams from the highly competitive NFC West. It was by far the most impressive showing of the late-season upswing that also included road wins over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have won the NFC South the past four seasons, and the NFC West’s last-place Arizona Cardinals.