3 Reasons to believe the Falcons will upset the Saints in week one

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Aug 27, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) shown on the bench during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Kyle Pitts, Cordarrelle Patterson, and Drake London

Last year in Atlanta’s win over the Saints it was Patterson who made the game-winning catch for the Falcons in the final minutes of the game. This season Atlanta is going to be far better at the skill positions and New Orleans doesn’t have the roster to slow them down. While the defensive line has a decided advantage Mariota demonstrated this preseason he is more than capable of getting out of a pocket that is breaking down and making a play.

For the Saints to have consistent success on defense in this game they are going to have to get to Mariota quickly and often. If they allow him to slip out of the pocket and evade the pressure they aren’t going to be able to slow down Atlanta’s weapons.

They lack the size in the secondary to match up with Pitts or London and slow them down. This isn’t Matt Ryan in the pocket who is helplessly left to stand there as the offensive line directs Cam Jordan into the backfield for yet another sack.

Mariota isn’t the passer Ryan is but he has shown more of a willingness to take risks and make plays outside the pocket. This is a new-look Atlanta offense and if Mariota can stay upright long enough to get through his reads the Atlanta offense isn’t going to have any trouble scoring in this game.

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