New Orleans Saints: What needs to happen in Week 15 to regain No. 1

What needs to happen Sunday for New Orleans Saints to regain No. 1 seed?

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 08: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints celebrates a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter in the game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on December 08, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Falcons beat San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers looked scary good on offense when they beat the New Orleans Saints last week. Scoring over 30 points for the sixth time this season, the 49ers offense looked like one of the best in the NFL.

Even though the Saints were evenly matched up with them, it’s a long shot that the 4-9 Atlanta Falcons beat the 11-2 Niners.

Another 1,000-yd season for Julio Jones.

It's his sixth straight season reaching 1,000 receiving yards, tying Roddy White for the longest streak in @AtlantaFalcons history. pic.twitter.com/eEaYYNURDC
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 8, 2019

The Atlanta Falcons can pull a reasonable upset, however. One of the two games the Saints played against them this year, the Falcons came out on top 26-9. They would need another performance on offense and defense just like that game to be in the position to pull an upset in this game. But, alas, it is possible.

Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Devonte Freeman, and their company would all need to outperform their recent ventures.

The only thing not in favor of the Saints is that the Falcons are not playing for anything. They are already knocked out of the playoffs so they do not need to win. Therefore, all of their players need to stay healthy during practice this week to have a chance.

Right now, the ESPN Power Index has the 49ers with an 81.9% chance to win and the Falcons with a 17.9% chance.