Many good things have contributed to the amazing start to the season for the Braves. One of the biggest factors is how well many of the depth position player signings and acquisitions have worked out for Atlanta, such as Dominic Smith and Jorge Mateo. But the best of all was the trade for Mauricio Dubon, whose versatility has been extremely valuable for the Braves. Alex Anthopoulos has always made good moves on the margins, and this year is no different.
Atlanta, GA
How to watch New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons: Live stream, TV channel, start time for Sunday’s NFL game
Who’s Playing
Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints
Current Records: Atlanta 7-9, New Orleans 8-8
How To Watch
- When: Sunday, January 7, 2024 at 1 p.m. ET
- Where: Caesars Superdome — New Orleans, Louisiana
- TV: CBS
- Follow: CBS Sports App
- Online streaming: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
What to Know
The Atlanta Falcons will head out on the road to face off against the New Orleans Saints at 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday at Caesars Superdome. The Falcons might want some stickum for this game since the team gave up four turnovers on Sunday.
Atlanta gave up the first points and the most points. Things couldn’t have gone much worse for them as they lost 37-17 to the Bears.
Nobody from Atlanta had a standout game, but they got scores from Tyler Allgeier and Taylor Heinicke.
Meanwhile, the Saints earned a 23-13 victory over the Buccaneers on Sunday. New Orleans pushed the score to 20-0 by the end of the third, a deficit Tampa Bay cut but never quite recovered from.
Juwan Johnson and Derek Carr were among the main playmakers for the Saints as the former picked up 90 receiving yards and a touchdown and the latter threw for 197 yards and two touchdowns while completing 75% of his passes.
The Saints have used their receiving core heavily this season, as 63.8% of their passes have been to wide receivers this season. The team tried something a little different on Sunday though, as only 38.7% of the QB’s passes went to receivers. Given they posted a dismal 4.4 yards per play the Saints probably won’t be trying that again any time soon.
Atlanta has traveled a rocky road recently, as they’ve lost three of their last four matchups, which put a noticeable dent in their 7-9 record this season. As for New Orleans, their victory ended a three-game drought on the road and puts them at 8-8.
The Falcons are hoping to beat the odds on Sunday, as the experts think they’re headed for a loss. Neither team has fared well against the spread this season; they is 5-11, while the Saints is 5-10-1.
Odds
New Orleans is a 3-point favorite against Atlanta, according to the latest NFL odds.
The over/under is set at 42.5 points.
See NFL picks for every single game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get picks now.
Series History
New Orleans has won 7 out of their last 10 games against Atlanta.
- Nov 26, 2023 – Atlanta 24 vs. New Orleans 15
- Dec 18, 2022 – New Orleans 21 vs. Atlanta 18
- Sep 11, 2022 – New Orleans 27 vs. Atlanta 26
- Jan 09, 2022 – New Orleans 30 vs. Atlanta 20
- Nov 07, 2021 – Atlanta 27 vs. New Orleans 25
- Dec 06, 2020 – New Orleans 21 vs. Atlanta 16
- Nov 22, 2020 – New Orleans 24 vs. Atlanta 9
- Nov 28, 2019 – New Orleans 26 vs. Atlanta 18
- Nov 10, 2019 – Atlanta 26 vs. New Orleans 9
- Nov 22, 2018 – New Orleans 31 vs. Atlanta 17
Atlanta, GA
Falcons sign Drake London to four-year extension
One of the most inevitable moves of the summer is complete. The Atlanta Falcons have given Drake London a lucrative four year deal worth up to $150 million, locking up their top receiver for the foreseeable future.
It’s a deserved extension for a physical, sure-handed talent who has been consistently excellent in Atlanta despite a constantly rotating cast of quarterbacks. London, who has averaged 1,086 yards over four NFL seasons and has 22 touchdowns over that span, has also emerged as one of the locker room’s most vocal and accountable players.
The 2022 first round pick came into the NFL catching passes from Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder and flourished immediately, with 806 yards and four touchdowns in year one and 905 yards and two touchdowns in year two. When the coaching staff turned over and Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. entered the picture, London exploded for 100 catches, 1,271 yards, and nine touchdowns in 2024, following that up with 919 yards and seven touchdowns in just 12 games a year ago. Through just four seasons, London is already 10th in team history in receiving yards, eighth in receptions, and 13th in touchdowns, and mixes that with solid blocking. He’s been the ideal receiver for the last two iterations of this Falcons offense, and I have no doubt that will continue here.
The contract’s guaranteed money would be tops in the NFL if the $100 million figure is accurate, but by overall money it’s just the third most lucrative contract in the league, and will likely be hovering near the bottom of the top ten in a couple of seasons. The Falcons were never going to risk losing their top receiving option, and if all goes well, London will continue to thrive in Atlanta and set his sights on surpassing some franchise legends in the years to come. I’m glad the deal is done, and we’ll see the exact terms soon enough.
How do you feel about this extension?
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Braves News: Mauricio Dubon, Hurston Waldrep, Week Ahead, More
Andrelton Simmons plies his trade in Mexico
The Athletic caught up with former Braves shortstop – and one of the most gifted defenders at the position in the history of the game – Andrelton Simmons who, at 36, returned to organized baseball in Mexico last season.
Link below.
In a fun “Where are they now” segment, here is an update on Andrelton Simmons.
Atlanta, GA
Woman fatally stabbed on MARTA train near Oakland City Station; riders question transit safety as World Cup nears
A man accused of fatally stabbing a woman aboard a MARTA train is now in custody, as the violent attack raises new concerns about safety across Atlanta’s transit system.
According to police, 52-year-old Margaret Swan was riding a MARTA train near the Oakland City Station on May 30 when she was stabbed to death.
Investigators say officers quickly arrested the suspect, identified as John Elijah Matthews, at the station shortly after the attack.
Swan’s ex-husband, Jerry Swan, said he was devastated when his daughter called to tell him what happened.
“I was happy they caught him, but in my mind the thought was why did he do that to such a nice person,” he said.
Jerry Swan described Margaret as a devoted grandmother who loved spending time with her family.
“She was on her way to keep one of her grandbabies when it happened,” he said.
The deadly stabbing has also left some MARTA riders uneasy about safety on the transit system.
Nahsar Alexander, who says he rides MARTA every day, told CBS News Atlanta the attack is alarming.
“That was an innocent lady,” Alexander said. “If she didn’t do anything, what’s stopping someone from hurting me?”
MARTA officials say nearly 300 officers are assigned throughout the transit system to help keep riders safe. Additional officers were visible Monday at stations, including patrols on motorcycles.
The agency says security measures are also expected to increase ahead of the FIFA World Cup, when Atlanta is expected to see a major influx of visitors.
MARTA says its current security resources include more than 12,000 cameras across rail stations, buses and railcars, along with a Real Time Crime Center monitored during operating hours. Officials also say undercover officers regularly patrol stations, buses and trains.
Ahead of the World Cup, MARTA plans to activate its Emergency Operations Center during matches and fan events, deploy its Mobile Command Vehicle at key locations and partner with outsidxe law enforcement agencies for additional support.
Officials say additional train patrols and crowd control teams will also be used throughout the system.
Some riders say the increased police presence is reassuring, but concerns remain.
“Yes, but even with more police officers crime is still going to happen,” Alexander said.
Matthews is facing a murder charge.
MARTA says all staff not directly involved in operations or policing will also serve as Transit Ambassadors during the World Cup to assist riders and monitor activity across the system.
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