Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints preview: Keys to the game and who will win

Atlanta Falcons (5-0) at New Orleans Saints (1-4)

Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans - TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson

*Keys to the game: WR Julio Jones (hamstring) might not have his typical acceleration and that means QB Matt Ryan must be more accurate than he was last week, when a passer rating under 50 included a fumble and two picks at Washington. Jones and RB Devonta Freeman have combined to produce 58.5 percent of the Falcons' total offense and Freeman would be asked to pick up the slack if Jones isn't healthy. New Orleans has allowed the most yards in the NFL this season, 2,045.

Saints QB Drew Brees said his shoulder is 100 percent, but with 57 passes thrown to running backs, it's not the same offense the Falcons are accustomed to seeing. Without Jimmy Graham, Brees is still searching for a go-to guy. He developed a strong rapport with WR Willie Snead, who was the Saints' leading receiver over the past six quarters. The Falcons have not been tested by an elite quarterback or offense this season (Bradford, Weeden, Mallett and Cousins) and defensive coordinator Richard Smith expects the Falcons to get Brees' best. He's concerned about pump-fakes and other subtleties this defense has not yet encountered.

*Matchup to watch - Saints MLB Stephone Anthony vs. Freeman: Freeman has amassed 193, 149 and 197 total yards in his first three starts in the NFL. The Falcons are strongest between the tackles and on the stretch play. But Freeman is catching the ball well out of the backfield, too. Anthony represents one of a few bright spots for the Saints with 32 tackles. He was selected 31st overall out of Clemson and rarely leaves the field.

*Player spotlight - Falcons OLB O'Brien Schofield: Coach Dan Quinn praised Schofield as a key last week against the Redskins, who were averaging 140 rushing yards per game before the Falcons stuffed Washington, allowing only two yards per carry. Schofield has the versatility to line up in three spots in the front seven. "He's comfortable over the tight end, or tackle or standing up," Quinn said. "He's such a versatile linebacker and as a defensive end, he can stand up and we can move him around in different spots."

*Fast facts: The Falcons are the first 5-0 team in NFL history to have trailed in the fourth quarter of four of those games. ... Atlanta swept last season, but the Saints were 13-3 under Sean Payton in the series before 2014.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

Beating Drew Brees is never a layup in New Orleans. Yet, Brees can do nothing to down Matt Ryan and the Falcons' formidable ground game, and faced with getting a stop late in the game, the Saints show their true colors.

*Our pick: Falcons 24-20