TheOak

ATLANTA, Georgia -- Talk about role reversal.

When Atlanta hosted New Orleans a year ago, the Falcons were cruising toward a division title and locking up home-field advantage in the playoffs, while the Saints just wanted to get to the end of a disappointing season.

The longtime rivals have traded places for Thursday's prime-time game.
antone-smith-vs-bucs.jpgAntone Smith and the Atlanta Falcons went 13-3 last season, but are just 2-8 this year. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)

With coach Sean Payton back on the sideline and Drew Brees as good as ever, New Orleans (8-2) leads the NFC South and hopes to chase down Seattle for the best record in the conference.

The Falcons, on the other hand, are trying to figure out how a team that started the season with Super Bowl aspirations is now in the running for the top pick in next year's draft. Mired in a four-game losing streak and coming off a humiliating loss to lowly Tampa Bay, Atlanta (2-8) is all but assured its first losing season since 2007.

NEW-LOOK FALCONS: With an eye on next season, the Falcons have started shaking things up. Last week, Peter Konz moved to guard and Joe Hawley took over at center on the embattled offensive line, which will have its hands full against the aggressive Saints. Coach Mike Smith plans to continue giving the backups more snaps, with running back Antone Smith the most likely candidate for an increased role. He rushed for 88 yards on just two carries against the Bucs, including a 50-yard TD.


Read More:
NFL: Saints meet Falcons in Thursday night game, with teams headed in opposite directions | gulflive.com

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