Atlanta @ New Orleans preview

Atlanta at New Orleans

Last Meeting ( Nov 29, 2012 ) New Orleans 13, Atlanta 23

If the New Orleans Saints want to prove 2012 was a fluke and they're still the class of the NFC South, they'll have a prime opportunity to make an argument Sunday, as they host the defending division champion Atlanta Falcons. The Saints have dominated the series in recent years, winning 11 of the past 14 meetings, but they missed the playoffs last year for the first time since 2008. With head coach Sean Payton returning after being suspended last season for his role in the team's bounty scandal, New Orleans hopes to regain its supremacy over the division.

Granted, the Saints handed the Falcons their first loss last year, a 31-27 defeat in Week 10 in New Orleans, and it did little to slow Atlanta on its way to the NFC Championship Game. The Falcons returned the favor in Week 13 in Atlanta, picking off Drew Brees five times in a 23-13 win. Atlanta upgraded its offense by signing running back Steven Jackson and also coaxed tight end Tony Gonzalez back for one more season.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, Fox. LINE: New Orleans -3. O/U: 54.

ABOUT FALCONS (2012: 13-3, first NFC South): Atlanta has some new faces - and question marks - along the offensive line but is otherwise loaded on that side of the ball. The bigger concerns are on defense, which is never good when facing Drew Brees and the Saints. Atlanta lost key players at every level of the defense but brought in defensive end Osi Umenyiora and cornerback Desmond Trufant to help plug two of the holes.

ABOUT SAINTS (2012: 7-9, tied for second NFC South): Even without Payton calling the plays, the Saints ranked second in the league in total offense a year ago, and they aren't likely to miss a beat on that side of the ball with Brees at the helm. The only area the offense stands to improve is in the turnover department, as the Saints had 24 giveaways last year. The defense was historically bad in 2012, but the addition of some new personnel, as well as new coordinator Rob Ryan, should help it improve somewhat, if not significantly.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Falcons QB Matt Ryan's 56 wins are the most by a quarterback in his first five seasons in NFL history.

2. Brees is 11-4 versus the Falcons and averages 300.3 yards and a 94.5 quarterback rating against them.

3. Jackson has rushed for 1,000 yards or more in eight straight seasons. The Falcons did not have a 1,000-yard rusher last year.

PREDICTION: Falcons 30, Saints 28