NFL matchups: Week 16

The Falcons have won seven of the past nine and could use an upset here to keep themselves in good position in the NFC wild-card race. The Falcons are 6-4 in NFC games and a loss here certainly will sting.

Brees needs just a combined 305 yards passing in his last two games to break Dan Marino's single-season passing yardage mark (5,084 in 1984). Brees also has won his past six Monday night games and has a passer rating of 124.1 in those game.

The call: Saints 33-21

Last week: 6-9 (.400)

For the season: 143-65 (.688)

NFL rankings

1. Packers: 16-0 is gone, but the champs are still the league's best team.

2. Saints: QB Drew Brees is tearing it up, nearing 5,000 yards for the season.

3. Patriots: Now have the inside track for the top seed in the AFC playoffs.

4. 49ers: Bounced back from a bad loss to the Cards by taking down the Steelers.

5. Ravens: Got shelled by the Chargers last week to put a dent in hopes for the top seed.

6. Steelers: Loss to the Niners prevented them from taking the AFC North lead.

7. Falcons: They face the Saints this week in a battle for NFC playoff position.

8. Lions: Comeback kids must beat either Chargers or Packers to clinch wild card.

9. Broncos: Team Tebow must bounce back from loss to Patriots to win AFC West.

10. Texans: They're in the playoffs, but injuries have this team fading fast.

—Layton Shumway