FLOWERY BRANCH — With control of the NFC South race at stake, the Falcons (5-3) face the New Orleans Saints (6-3) at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
Here is a look at how the Falcons’ defensive line matches up against the Saints’ offensive line:
Falcons’ starters: Right end John Abraham, right tackle Jonathan Babineaux, left tackle Corey Peters and left end Ray Edwards.
Falcons’ key reserves: Ends Kroy Biermann and Lawrence Sidbury, and tackles Peria Jerry and Vance Walker.
Saints’ starters: Left tackle Jermon Bushrod, left guard Carl Nicks, center Brian de la Puente, right guard Jahri Evans and right tackle Zach Strief.
Saints’ key reserves: Center Matt Tennant and tackles Pat McQuistan and Ray Willis.
Matchup to watch: Abraham vs. Bushrod.
The Falcons’ defensive line has played the run well, but has not consistently put pressure on quarterbacks. The Falcons’ run defense has given up 96.5 yards per game, which ranks seventh in the NFL.
Babineaux and Peters, who have battled knee injuries, are getting healthier and playing stronger. They will go up against the Saints’ talented guards Evans and Nicks. Some consider the Evans-Nicks guard tandem the best in the NFL.
The Falcons have just 15 sacks and are led by Abraham and Peters, who have three apiece. The Saints have given up 19 sacks this season, which is tied for 13th in the NFL.
The Saints’ line collapsed in their upset 31-21 loss to St. Louis on Oct. 30. They gave ups six sacks and had trouble running the ball.
The unit rebounded in a 27-16 win over Tampa Bay last week. They rushed for 7 yards per carry and didn’t give up a sack.
The Saints have had their issues along the line. Center Olin Kreutz, who was facing a demotion, left the team. Strief, a longtime backup, is trying to takeover for Jon Stinchcomb at right tackle. Strief returned to action from a sprained MCL last week against Tampa Bay.
“Their line is one of the better lines,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “It’s going to be imperative for us that we stop their run, and at the core each and every week, that’s one of our ‘musts’ is to stop the run.”
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