Today the Atlanta Falcons visit the Superdome to take on their most fierce rivals, the New Orleans Saints.
To learn more about the enemy, we spoke with K.D. Drummond, managing editor of both Cowboys Wire and Saints Wire.

Tim Weaver: The Saints got really banged up in the last meeting with the Falcons. How are those guys doing and what’s the team’s health like in general?

K.D. Drummond: The Saints have actually been on a horrible injury run for about a month. The biggest one of course is expected offensive ROY Alvin Kamara. He returned last week from his concussion. However A.J. Klein and Kenny Vaccaro have been both been IR’d and Trey Hendrickson is going to miss another week.
Tedd Ginn suffered a rib injury against Atlanta and should return to pose a deep threat. Guard Senio Kelemente, who was subbing for Andrus Peat is returning, as is the starter who has missed a couple games. Also, Larry Warford, the opposite guard, suffered a concussion against the Jets last week but he should play as well.

TW: Can you shed some light on how the Saints turned their defense around so fast? Was it just a matter of upgrading the personnel, or did they change something strategic?

KD: Credit goes to two places, Dennis Allen and Marshon Lattimore.
Allen took over as DC for Rob Ryan and moved New Orleans back to a 4-3. Those transitions normally take a couple seasons and 2.5 years later here we are. Of course that was busted by grabbing the expected defensive rookie of the year in Lattimore. He has been lockdown since Day One and currently has the second-best passer rating against in the entire league.
They also found a pass rush opposite the criminally underrated Cam Jordan in Alex Okafor, though he too is now on IR.

TW: Can both Alvin Kamara and Marshon Lattimore win rookie of the year?

KD: Yes, there’s more than a chance, both should be considered front-runners. Lattimore’s impact on the Saints turnaround on defense has been incredible. His only true competition has been Bills’ corner Tre’Davious White. White has also been incredible, but for once the Saints are the bigger market team than someone. That rarely happens but Lattimore’s been more prominent. However, White’s push after that ugly Rob Gronkowski hit may pass him at the last minute. This is a down-to-the-last-game type of race.
Kamara has just been ridiculous in his big plays and long surpassed Kareem Hunt as the front runner. He blends breakaway speed with sick moves and a toughness after contact most are surprised to see after initially looking him up and down. He’s won six rookie of the week awards. Lattimore just picked up his third.

TW: How do the Saints stack up against the other NFC playoff contenders? Is there a team they won’t want to see? A team they do?

KD: One would have to say the Minnesota defense would be the scariest thing for the Saints to see. They are able to perform against the pass and the run. Their pass defense is especially concerning because despite gaudy stats, Drew Brees has shown a modicum of regression this season and has thrown some WTF passes on more than one occasion. I’m sure you can remember one.
As for a team they’d like to see, the NFC is stacked so there are no easy outs. I’m sure they’d like a matchup with Carolina though, despite the familiarity. They are built to beat that team and have dominated them twice.

TW: The Falcons are five-point underdogs right now. What’s the most important thing they can do to help move towards an upset?

KD: I don’t like the spread at all, to be honest. The Falcons are 8-2 against the NFC this season. No team with their chance at the NFC playoffs on the line should be a dog by that much.
The Saints are ridiculously banged up and it’s a division game. I worry about the loss of the second and third best pass rushers to the Saints and even though the Falcons offense isn’t what it was in 2016, the weapons are all still there and every level of the New Orleans defense is missing at least one starter.
Atlanta’s key to victory is going full-tilt in the passing game, especially utilizing the backs.
Reference: http://thefalconswire.usatoday.com/2017/12/24/5-questions-with-the-enemy-what-to-expect-from-the-saints/