Saints Finish Season at 7-9

In his favor, Jones will be going against the New Orleans’ defense.

It’s a wonder how a great season by Brees couldn’t push the Saints above.500…. Sean Payton traded away his top two receivers in 2014 (Jimmy Graham and Kenny Stills) and a starting guard (Ben Grubbs) and the train just kept on rolling.

The problem for the Saints is not offensively or finding a replacement for still one of the elite players in the game in quarterback Drew Brees. Brees found the notion outlandish. “We’re out of the playoffs, but we’ve been blessed with talent, God-given ability, and we’ve got to go out here and put it all together”.

Saints head coach Sean Payton knew the question was coming, and he was ready.

Don’t you think Brees had a little something to do with their success? Jones burned the Panthers exceptional pass defense, including Josh Norman, for 178 yards and a fantastic touchdown.

Atlanta (8-8) couldn’t take advantage, stymied by a New Orleans defense that came up with timely stops over and over again. Is there room for Tim Hightower? The other two seasons were in 2006 and 2009. He is minus a proven threat in the backfield, but should enjoy time in the pocket with Atlanta entering with a league-low 19 sacks on the season. His number of catches and yards receiving rank just fourth on the team. The New Orleans defense has been a sieve allowing 30.6 points and 413.4 yards per game with eight interceptions, 30 sacks, and 17 fumble recoveries. New Orleans has allowed 459 points, 28 shy of the franchise record for the most in a season set by 1980’s 1-15 team.

But while that is a legit concern, the Falcons should be plenty motivated to not only beat their biggest rivals today, but also avenge a mid-October loss in New Orleans earlier this year and finish the season on a high note. He completed 23 of 30 passes (season-high 76.7 percent) for 306 yards with season-best 119.6 passer rating in win over Carolina.

The loss denied the Falcons (8-8) their chance to give first-year coach Dan Quinn a winning record. “It’s honestly one of the things that I admire of him most, his toughness, but it’s really the competitor that’s in him”.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) runs as Carolina Panthers cornerback Charles Tillman (31) defends during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Atlanta.

Chuck Muncie ran for 22 times for 161 yards and scored one touchdown plus threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Wes Chandler. He had 93 yards on six catches in Week 5.

Though the Saints and Falcons have both been eliminated from postseason contention, today’s season finale bears importance for both, particularly for Falcons running back Devonta Freeman, left, who can reach 1,000 rushing yards for the season with 20 today.