The battle between Marshon Lattimore and Julio Jones was must-see T.V. two weeks ago when the Saints cornerback and Falcons wide receiver squared off in both teams’ initial meeting in 2017.

Lattimore had a good showing, getting an interception when covering Jones, but admitted he wasn’t on top of his game, allowing three catches for 65 yards, including a 38-yarder on a slant route, the longest play he’s surrendered this season.

“I gotta do my job,” Lattimore said. “I’m trying to go out there and beat him. That’s my mentality: to win. I mean, it’s Julio, but he strap up just like I do, he do everything like I do, he’s a man just like I’m a man. So I just gotta go out there and try to beat him up.”

Both players will meet again on the field Christmas Eve in a much more important game. Two weeks ago, a victory put Atlanta back into the postseason picture. This week, a Falcons win would give them a sweep over the division-leading Saints and in position to win the division if they defeat Carolina on New Year’s Eve.

But beating Julio Jones is never an easy proposition.

As usual, Jones is among the elite of his position, ranking third in the NFL with 1,215 receiving yards, but has scored just three times. He made NFL history by becoming the first player to have more than 250 receiving yards in three career games, against Tampa in November, but has caught just 10 passes for 176 yards in his last three games.

His relative neglect in the third quarter and in the red zone has hampered the Falcons’ passing game somewhat, from finishing as the NFL’s best scoring unit overall last season (33.8, 1st in NFL) to just above average (22.7 PPG, 15th in NFL) this season.

“He’s a great receiver, one of the best,” Lattimore said. “Last time, I was coming off of two and a half weeks off, and my ankle hurt, but that comes with the game. I’m not going to use that as an excuse. Now I just have to pick it up.”

On the season, Lattimore has allowed 26 receptions against 50 targets for 305 yards in the air, allowing 0.86 yards per coverage snap, a QB rating of just 37.5 when targeted, has intercepted four passes, and has not surrendered a touchdown.

“I just know I have to get the job done,” Lattimore said. “I’ve got to take him out.”