ATLANTA (Interstat) — The Atlanta Falcons (7-9) and New Orleans Saints (6-10) will close their seasons Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in a matchup with potential NFC South draft order implications, though both teams enter on winning streaks.

The game, scheduled for 1 p.m. EST on Jan. 4, 2026, will feature two quarterbacks leading resurgent late-season efforts. New Orleans has won four straight, fueled by the breakout play of quarterback Tyler Shough. In last week’s 34-26 win at Tennessee, Shough was 22 of 27 for 333 yards and two touchdowns, adding six yards on four rushes. Over the four-game streak, he has thrown for 1,057 yards and six touchdowns while adding 101 rushing yards.

Atlanta counters with veteran Kirk Cousins, who has guided the Falcons to three consecutive victories. In a 27-24 Monday afternoon win over the Los Angeles Rams, Cousins managed the game efficiently, going 13 for 20 for 126 yards and a touchdown, while running back Bijan Robinson exploded for 195 rushing yards and two total touchdowns.

The Falcons won the previous meeting this season, 24-10 in New Orleans on Nov. 23. However, a scheduled Week 18 rematch on Jan. 3, 2026, was postponed, setting up this finale.

Despite New Orleans’ momentum, Interstat’s game simulator projects an Atlanta victory, 31-24. Betting markets, however, list the Saints as a 3.5-point favorite. The over/under is set at 43.5 points.

New Orleans’ running game, featuring Audric Estime and Evan Hull, will test an Atlanta defense that allowed 195 yards to Robinson last week but has been inconsistent. The Falcons’ recent success has hinged on offensive balance and limiting turnovers, with Cousins throwing three touchdowns in a 29-28 win at Tampa Bay on Dec. 11.

Both teams are eliminated from playoff contention, positioning this as an evaluation game for 2026. A Saints win would create a tie in final record at 7-10, with the head-to-head sweep likely granting Atlanta the higher draft position due to strength-of-schedule tiebreakers.