The Atlanta Falcons are stressing focus heading into a matchup with the New Orleans Saints. As their NFC South rival continues to trash talk leading into the Sunday showdown, the Falcons stress that they are mentally preparing for a tough matchup, but are ready to win. They are also preparing to be without several stars this week as the injury list continues to be long in Atlanta. The biggest question remaining is whether or not Julio Jones will be available for the game.
Jones has not been seen since his record-breaking performance against the Green Bay Packers in Week 14. The wide receiver has not been at practice in the past two weeks and was ruled out against the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday. According to head coach Mike Smith, Jones will be a game-time decision against the Saints, noting the wide receiver's status is unknown until team warmup time. Roddy White told the media that the offense is prepared to play with or without the star receiver.
You just have to go out there and play football," White said, via the team website. "Julio is a big part of our offense, and the things that he does really help us out, but being at the wide receiver position, we just have to go out and execute and play at a high level. I'm ready to go."
White stresses that he will be healthy for the game despite missing practice for knee issues. Harry Douglas is also expected to be on the field despite being limited with foot injuries that have plagued him all season. Both wide receivers will be relied on heavily if Jones is out another week. Douglas says the team is fired up after hearing the trash talk from the Saints, but is remaining quiet until game day.
"It is what it is because you play the game on the field," Douglas said, via ESPN.com. "I've never seen anybody play the game talking. All we've got to do is play the type of football we have to play, and the rest will take care of itself. [Keenan] Lewis is a great player. He's a competitor. But it boils down to New Orleans vs. Atlanta. We don't like them, and they don't like us. You leave it all out there on Sunday. That's when I'm going to play the game: on Sunday. I can't play the game on Wednesday."
Matt Ryan and Steven Jackson both took the same stance in the Saints' "funeral" talk. The game on Sunday will likely play the biggest role in determining the outcome of the NFC South. The Saints took control after beating the Bears, but the Falcons hold the tiebreaker.
