There are signs of life in the New Orleans passing game, and that’s got to be music to Chris Olave’s ears. He’s coming off his best stat line of the season, with five grabs for 104 yards against the Panthers in Week 10, including a 62-yard touchdown. I’m counting on more of the same from Olave here, especially after what we saw from the Atlanta defense last weekend when Bryce Young lit up the Falcons for 448 passing yards and three TDs.
This Week 12 long shot stays indoors and features a receiver who already has a solid connection with his new quarterback, Kirk Cousins. With Michael Penix out and Drake London sidelined by a PCL injury, the door opens for KhaDarel Hodge. In Week 8, with Cousins under center and London inactive, Hodge saw eight targets and ran a season-high 21 routes. Darnell Mooney has been a non-factor and is dealing with a collarbone issue that may be limiting him. It’s a speculative play, but Hodge has a real chance to be a top-two WR for Atlanta in a favorable matchup. This is a full-unit swing that could close around +500 if he’s confirmed as the WR2.
Things don't look good for the Falcons, who are on a five-game losing streak and just lost QB Michael Penix to a season-ending injury. That said, Kirk Cousins is one of the best backup QBs in the league, and Atlanta is facing New Orleans, which might be the worst team in the NFL. The Saints are 2-8 while ranking 30th in the league in DVOA. The Saints shouldn't be favored against anybody except the Titans, especially not a division rival that won't take this game lightly.
The Falcons have lost three consecutive one-possession games, so I like them figuring it out with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins having a full week to prepare for the 2-8 Saints. New Orleans QB Tyler Shough has only seen meaningful action in three games, and he was held in check by both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Rams before a solid showing in Week 10 against the Carolina Panthers. With the Falcons ranking 14th in defensive DVOA and blitzing at the second-highest rate in the NFL, I’m expecting Shough to struggle again Sunday.
Based on the game dynamics and the underlying traits of each team, this game is expected by the predictive model to see 135.7 total plays called: the highest number on the slate this week.. The air attacks of both teams (as it relates to both volume and effectiveness) figure to benefit from the calm "weather" conditions (read: no wind) inside this dome, while rush volume may fall-off.. Chris Olave has been a big part of his team's pass game near the goal line, posting a Red Zone Target Share of 26.7% this year, which ranks him in the 93rd percentile when it comes to wide receivers.. Chris Olave has totaled significantly more air yards this year (106.0 per game) than he did last year (57.0 per game).. Chris Olave's 67.6 WOPR (Weighted Opportunity Rating—an advanced stat that calculates high-value offensive involvement) has been significantly higher this season than it was last season at 45.5.
Based on the game dynamics and the underlying tendencies of each team, this contest is projected by the predictive model to have 135.6 total plays run: the most among all games this week.. This game will be played in a dome—which means zero wind, higher pass volume, higher TD potential, and increased passing efficiency.
Based on the game dynamics and the underlying tendencies of each team, this contest is projected by the predictive model to have 135.6 total plays run: the most among all games this week.. This game will be played in a dome—which means zero wind, higher pass volume, higher TD potential, and increased passing efficiency.. In regards to pocket protection (and the positive effect it has on all passing offense metrics), the offensive line of the Falcons ranks as the 10th-best in the NFL this year.. This year, the feeble New Orleans Saints defense has allowed a whopping 73.3% Adjusted Completion Rate to opposing teams: the 9th-biggest rate in football.
Accounting for their underlying tendencies and matchup dynamics, the predictive model expects the Saints to pass on 53.5% of their downs: the 3rd-lowest rate among all teams this week.. Opposing offenses have averaged 29.1 pass attempts per game versus the Atlanta Falcons defense this year: 4th-fewest in the NFL.
Based on the game dynamics and the underlying tendencies of each team, this contest is projected by the predictive model to have 135.6 total plays run: the most among all games this week.. This game will be played in a dome—which means zero wind, higher pass volume, higher TD potential, and increased passing efficiency.. This week, Darnell Mooney is predicted by the projection model to secure a spot in the 91st percentile when it comes to WRs with 8.7 targets.. The model projects Darnell Mooney to be much more involved in his offense's pass game in this week's contest (25.0% projected Target Share) than he has been this year (19.1% in games he has played).. Darnell Mooney has compiled significantly more air yards this year (84.0 per game) than he did last year (73.0 per game).
Based on the game dynamics and the underlying tendencies of each team, this contest is projected by the predictive model to have 135.6 total plays run: the most among all games this week.. This game will be played in a dome—which means zero wind, higher pass volume, higher TD potential, and increased passing efficiency.. Kyle Pitts's 90.8% Route Participation Rate this season reflects a substantial progression in his passing attack volume over last season's 75.7% mark.. In this week's contest, Kyle Pitts is projected by the projection model to land in the 98th percentile among tight ends with 8.4 targets.. Kyle Pitts has accrued far more air yards this season (43.0 per game) than he did last season (36.0 per game).
Based on the game dynamics and the underlying tendencies of each team, this contest is projected by the predictive model to have 135.6 total plays run: the most among all games this week.. This game will be played in a dome—which means zero wind, higher pass volume, higher TD potential, and increased passing efficiency.. In this week's game, Bijan Robinson is anticipated by the projection model to slot into the 99th percentile when it comes to running backs with 7.1 targets.. Bijan Robinson has totaled a monstrous 7.0 air yards per game this year: 95th percentile when it comes to RBs. (That might not seem like a lot, but most RBs have negative air yards given that they are usually targeted behind the line of scrimmage).. Bijan Robinson's 30.6 WOPR (Weighted Opportunity Rating—an advanced stat that weighs high-value offensive volume) has been significantly better this year than it was last year at 21.9.
Right now, the 2nd-most run-heavy team in the NFL (44.0% context-neutralized) according to our trusted projection set is the Falcons.. Based on the game dynamics and the underlying tendencies of each team, this contest is projected by the predictive model to have 135.6 total plays run: the most among all games this week.. When it comes to the defensive tackles' role in stopping the run, New Orleans's unit has been atrocious this year, grading out as the 6th-worst in the league. in the league.
The predictive model expects the New Orleans Saints to be the 5th-most run-heavy team among all teams this week with a 46.3% run rate, given their underlying play style and matchup dynamics.. Based on the game dynamics and the underlying traits of each team, this game is expected by the predictive model to see 135.6 total plays called: the highest number on the slate this week.. The projections expect Alvin Kamara to accrue 18.1 carries in this game, on average, placing him in the 92nd percentile when it comes to RBs.. Opposing offenses have rushed for the 6th-most adjusted yards in the league (137 per game) versus the Falcons defense this year.. The Atlanta Falcons defensive tackles rank as the 2nd-worst group of DTs in the NFL this year when it comes to run defense.
The predictive model expects the New Orleans Saints to be the 5th-most run-heavy team among all teams this week with a 46.3% run rate, given their underlying play style and matchup dynamics.. Based on the game dynamics and the underlying traits of each team, this game is expected by the predictive model to see 135.6 total plays called: the highest number on the slate this week.. Opposing offenses have rushed for the 6th-most adjusted yards in the league (137 per game) versus the Falcons defense this year.. The Atlanta Falcons defensive tackles rank as the 2nd-worst group of DTs in the NFL this year when it comes to run defense.