Today’s the day. We are one game away from either ha

ving to see the Saints in the Super Bowl or getting a reprieve Youth Brian Poole Jersey , hopefully in the most crushing way imaginable for New Orleans. It’s fair to say I’m more nervous about this game than I typically am for non-Falcons games.There’s also the plucky, exciting Chiefs in the AFC going against the frankly exhausting Patriots, but that’s slightly less important for our prospects. Let’s take a look at both matchups ahead. Patriots @ ChiefsThe weather favors the Patriots, who despite their evident talent and brilliant coaching remain a team committed to winning ugly slugfests when the chance presents itself. With snow and freezing temperatures on tap in Kansas City, that high-powered passing attack probably won’t be quite as productive.To make matters worse, the Patriots have smartly transitioned to a team that can run the ball very effectively when they need to. If the snow’s flying and the ball is slippery and the passing games go away, wouldn’t you pick New England? So why am I still picking Kansas City, despite all that? They’re simply the more talented team, especially on offense, and they’re well-positioned to win a shootout if it comes to that. The Patriots have been extremely productive on offense and should have little trouble shredding the Chiefs on the ground, but Kansas City’s pass defense has quietly been solid and their ground game has been way better than you’d expect with Damien Williams toting the rock. Andy Reid has a history of bungling games against the Patriots, but this might be the most talented team he’s had, while the Patriots team he’s facing is still excellent but not quite the juggernaut it has been in years past. It’ll be close Stitched Grady Jarrett Jersey , but hopefully, Kansas City can win.Chiefs 38, Patriots 35 Rams @ SaintsWeather isn’t a factor in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, which leaves two teams to square off on their merits. The last time that happened, unfortunately, New Orleans won.Why should this time be any different? I never count out the Saints because they infuriatingly manage to win in all sorts of circumstances, but after the Eagles slopped around for most of the game and still managed to almost take them to the brink, the answer is plenty.Consider this:The Saints offense has been a shadow of itself for about a half season now. They put up 40 points six times in the first 10 weeks of the season and managed over 500 yards of offense three times in that span, absolutely strangling teams with that and a strong defense. In the seven games since, they’ve put up over 500 yards zero times and scored over 40 zero times. Heck, they’ve only cleared 30 twice, and they’ve suffered two of their worst offensive games in recent memory in that span.There is no one thing behind that, but Brees has been missing on more throws Youth Grady Jarrett Jersey , the Saints have a surprising lack of weapons in the passing game beyond Michael Thomas, and their offensive line is a big banged up. It’s relevant not because the Saints aren’t capable of a quality game on offense, but because they’re going to need to come out on the right end of a shootout or clamp down defensively or both to beat the Rams. Their defense has certainly remained game in recent weeks, but if the offense falters New Orleans could be in real trouble.The Saints absolutely shredded the Rams last time out, and obviously I’m concerned they’ll do so again. But their offense has not been the same for a long time now, and that’s not an accident.The Rams, meanwhile, have continued to dominate on that side of the ball. They put up 30 against a Cowboys defense that practically shut out the Saints earlier this year and minus a hiccup against the Bears in Week 14, they’ve rolled right along with 30 point games. The defense has been hit or miss in turn, but that has been the case all year. Crucially, there’s been no massive fall-off since the last time these two teams played, and the Rams did plenty against the Saints the first time out. They’re on the road in a very hostile environment, which gives me some pause Stitched Terrell McClain Jersey , but there’s no reason they shouldn’t put up 30-plus against a quality Saints defense.This game should come down to which defense can actually get stops, which would seem to favor New Orleans at home. But I genuinely don’t know if the Saints offense is up to the task of putting up 30 or 40-plus points on the board if that’s what it takes, and barring a total collapse from the Rams, that’s probably what it’s going to take. May Aaron Donald be endowed with heavenly powers and get six sacks. Prediction: Rams 42, Saints 35Use this as your open thread for today’s game, if you please. ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to terms with defensive tackle Grady Jarrett on a four-year extension before the NFL deadline for franchise-tagged players.The Falcons had until 4 p.m. ET Monday to finalize a multi-year deal with Jarrett, and general manager Thomas Dimitroff said in a statement that the Falcons made clear since last season ended that a new contract for Jarrett has been a priority.Terms were not disclosed. NFL.com reported the deal is worth $68 million and makes Garrett the third highest-paid defensive tackle behind Aaron Donald of the Rams and Philadelphia’s Fletcher Cox.Atlanta drafted Jarrett in the fifth round out of Clemson in 2015 and is coming off his best season yet. Jarrett had a career-high six sacks, three forced fumbles and 16 quarterback hits in 2018 along with eight tackles for loss. Jarrett has started 46 of his 61 games with 14 sacks, 31 tackles for loss, a recovered fumble and 40 quarterback hits.Jarrett tied an NFL record in the 2017 Super Bowl with three sacks in a loss to New England, matching Darnell Dockett, Kony Ealy and Reggie White.