It what figures to be an explosive Thursday Night Football affair, the undefeated Atlanta Falcons travel to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, where the New Orleans Saints will try to recreate some of the home-field magic they have lost over the past few seasons.

A positive thing to note is that Thursday Night Football games have had plenty of points scored in them every week. There hasn't been a point total lower than 40 in any TNF game this year and the total has been over 50 twice.

There are plenty of big names out on the field and a bunch to talk about, so lets get right to it.

Atlanta Falcons - Matchups Analysis

Julio Jones: It appears Julio Jones will be ready to go for the quick turnaround and plans to play at nearly 100%. Jones finally looked human last week in one of his tamer efforts of the season, but was rewarded by being in the right spot at the right time and falling on a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown. Obviously no one is advising anyone to sit Jones, but after a down performance last week, a quick turnaround and not being 100% healthy, perhaps this isn't Jones' finest hour.

Devonta Freeman: The Falcons' sophomore has been the most surprising running back of the fantasy season, scoring eight total touchdowns and being the most productive running back since Week 3. There is just no reason to think Freeman is going to slow down, even if Tevin Coleman is slowly eased back into the mix. The Falcons' offense has been stellar this season and I don't think it's reasonable to assume the Saints are going to slow them down on Thursday. The Saints are tied for 29th in the NFL giving up 28.6 points per game.

Matt Ryan: Like the other major performers, Matt Ryan should have a field day after two mediocre  performances in a row. With Jones not being totally right, Ryan did a lot of dump-offs and short passes last week, finishing 24-of-42 for 254 yards with two interceptions and a lost fumble. Ryan has to limit the turnovers to really cash in on Thursday, which has been an issue for him thus far.

Falcons D/ST: The Atlanta defense has scored three touchdowns in the past two games after going scoreless in the first three outings. With a Saints team that will cough up the ball rather easily, don't let the past successes of Drew Brees deter you. The Atlanta defense is a quality defense play this week and has six turnovers in the past two weeks.

New Orleans Saints - Matchups Analysis

Brandin Cooks: Garbage time points are still points, and Brandin Cooks was the beneficiary of a touchdown that didn't mean anything for the outcome of last week's defeat against the Philadelphia Eagles. But for managers who have Cooks on their roster, it was about time their patience paid off. The emergence of Willie Snead is something to monitor, as the two players are virtually even on the depth chart heading into TNF.

Drew Brees: Brees has been startable this season, but it seems as if his explosive days are over. The turnovers, like with Ryan, have been dragging down what would be above-average fantasy quarterback numbers. Brees has an interception in three of his four starts this season and has lost fumbles to go along with them. The defensive-minded Atlanta head coach, Dan Quinn, has the Falcons seventh in the NFL in takeaways per game (2.0). If I had to bet, Brees will have at least one and probably multiple turnovers.

Mark Ingram: The big New Orleans back has been the most consistent rusher for the Saints this season, but he finally had a single-digit fantasy point game last week as the Saints fell behind early. Ingram is a lock to have 15 touches a game and is used enough in the red zone where he has been one of the most reliable fantasy backs this season, which is saying a lot in a position that lacks any semblance of consistency. He hasn't rushed for over 100 yards yet this season, but he should be started in all formats without question.

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