The Week 18 clash between the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints isn’t just about pride—its outcome shapes both teams’ trajectories for 2026 and beyond. With Tyler Shough igniting the Saints during a four-game win streak and Bijan Robinson coming off a monster performance, Raheem Morris and the Falcons coaching staff look to save their jobs amid front office uncertainty.

 

The battle for NFC South positioning will impact next season's schedule difficulty and future playoff hopes. Key matchups feature Saints edge rusher Chase Young facing off against Jake Matthews, while the deep-ball abilities of Shough will be tested by Falcons safeties Jessie Bates III and Xavier Watts. With Cam Jordan, Taysom Hill, and Demario Davis potentially making their final appearances in “hate week,” and both teams’ special teams units ranked near the league bottom, every phase could tip the scales.

 

0:23 — Hate Week Game Implications

9:48 — Matchups To Watch

20:12 — What Each Team Needs to do to Win

 

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