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New Orleans Saints (8-2) at Atlanta Falcons (2-8)

Kickoff: 7:25 p.m., Thursday, Georgia Dome
Coaches: Saints' Sean Payton (70-36 career), Falcons' Mike Smith (58-32)
TV: NFL Network (WVUE-Fox 8 Local) -- Brad Nessler, Mike Mayock, Alex Flanagan
Radio: 870-AM, 105.3-FM and 830-AM (Spanish)

WHERE THEY RANK
Offense-passing-rushing Defense-pass-rush
Saints: 2-2-23 4-3-17
Falcons: 14-6-31 26-22-30

KEEP AN EYE ON

COREY WHITE
The starting cornerback position opposite Keenan Lewis is Corey White's to lose after Jabari Greer went down with a knee injury against the San Francisco 49ers. Greer's injury was so gruesome, White couldn't stand to look when he first saw it. "I walked over there and looked at his leg and I had to walk away," White said. "It looked that bad." White will have big shoes to fill with Greer now out for the season. Greer, who has been a full-time starter since 2009, was having a solid year before the injury. White's season has been full of ups and downs, from two personal fouls against the Bills to an interception against the 49ers that turned into a fumble and touchback.

White is a second-year player defensive coordinator Rob Ryan described as physical and smart. He's a player that gets better all the time, Ryan said.
"We've lost some great players along the way and we are so fortunate to have excellent players behind him and that is what this Corey White has been doing, begging for an opportunity," Ryan said. "He is going to be great when he gets in there."

With Lewis on the other side, the Falcons will no doubt test White.
"You always look forward to challenges, especially against a premier quarterback like Matt Ryan," White said. "It's going to allow you to try to make plays, and it's going to put the ball in the air a lot, so it can be fun."

BY THE NUMBERS

5 - Turnovers the Saints had in Atlanta last season
12 - Games the Saints have won against Atlanta since 2006, compared to three losses in that timespan
22 - Yards Pierre Thomas needs to pass Rueben Mayes for No. 4 all time on the Saints' rushing yards list
37 - Games in the series decided by double digits
38 - Passing yards Drew Brees needed to move ahead of Warren Moon for No. 5 on the all-time NFL list
135 - Points the Falcons have allowed during their four-game losing streak
192 - Atlanta running back Steven Jackson's rushing yards this season

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