Sports

Live: Falcons finally in can't-lose situation vs. Saints

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 14: Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons walks on the field during warm ups prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Georgia Dome on December 14, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) Julio Jones will play against New Orleans despite a hip injury. (Scott Cunningham, Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 14: Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons walks on the field during warm ups prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Georgia Dome on December 14, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) Julio Jones will play against New Orleans despite a hip injury. (Scott Cunningham, Getty Images)
By Jeff Schultz
Dec 21, 2014

NEW ORLEANS – The Falcons have finally reached that point for a 5-9 football team that usually arrives long before 5-9 does: If they lose, they're done.

They face NFC South rival New Orleans (6-8), which leads Carolina (5-8-1) by a half-game and the Falcons by a game with two to go. The Falcons can win the division if they win their next two games against the Saints and Carolina (next week at the Georgia Dome). They're eliminated with a loss but can remain alive with a tie.

Wide receiver Julio Jones is active for the Falcons after missing last week's game against Pittsburgh and sitting out all week with a hip injury. But logic suggests he's not at full strength so it remains to be seen how effective he will be.

Falcons-Saints games tend to be unpredictable. The only unlikely thing today is a low-scoring game. These are the two worst defensive teams in the league. The Falcons rank 32nd (409.9 yards), the Saints 31st (390.1). In points allowed, the Falcons rank 28th (26.4), the Saints 29th (26.7).

A few other notables:

-- Right guard Jon Asamoah (back) is out with a back injury. Gabe Carimi will start.

-- The Falcons, who won the season opener over the Saints, haven’t swept a season series from New Orleans since 2005, the year the Saints’ home game was in San Antonio (because of Hurricane Katrina). The Falcons haven't swept a season series with a win in the Superdome since 2002.

-- The Saints strangely have lost four straight home games after winning 20 in a row.

A recent writer's dozen from the digital jukebox

-- MyAJC: Falcons still have playoff shot -- and that's not a negative
-- MyAJC: There goes Justin Upton, and maybe '15 season with him
-- AJC: Justin Upton is latest chapter of Braves' strip down
-- MyAJC: Ranking Atlanta's head coaches, from Budenholzer to...
-- AJC: After crushing Cavs, Hawks (18-7) have earned some attention
-- MyAJC: Expect Falcons' roster overhaul, regardless of finish
-- AJC: 5 thoughts on Falcons, starting with Arthur Blank's marketing problem
-- MyAJC: John Hart: 'It's not like I'm breaking up the '27 Yankees'
-- AJC: Falcons reality check: One great half won't get it done
-- AJC: What would it take for Falcons to keep Mike Smith
 -- MyAJC: Hawks go from off-cour embarrassment to on-court success
-- AJC: Playoff committee got teams right but changes are needed
-- AJC: Jimbo Fisher leaves Georgia off ballot; Bielema puts Tech 19th on his (huh?)
-- AJC: Playoff committee got teams right but changes are needed
-- MyAJC: SEC title: Mizzou can't compete with Alabama --nor can any team
-- AJC: Short takes: Sims leads way as Alabama rules SEC again
-- AJC: Weekend Predictions: Georgia Tech ends Florida State's run
-- AJC: New rankings make college football playoff look like set up
-- MyAJC: Rare situation: Eyes are off Bulldogs and on Jackets

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Jeff Schultz

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