Falcons @ Saints

[Vin+ 3,121]

STATS LLC Associated Press

Sep 21, 2016

 

Ten years ago -- on Sept. 25, 2006 -- the Louisiana Superdome was the scene of an iconic moment in NFL history.

 

A year earlier, Hurricane Katrina unleashed its fury on one of America's great cities, peeling back the roof of the Superdome, which transformed a shelter of last resort into a palace of pain for thousands of residents who could not flee New Orleans before the storm overpowered poorly designed levees and inundated 200,000 homes.

 

When the New Orleans Saints returned to the refurbished Superdome for Week 3 of the 2006 NFL season, the stadium's dazzling rebirth and the Saints' 23-3 destruction of the Atlanta Falcons -- fueled by New Orleans' special teamer Steve Gleason's blocked punt for a touchdown in the opening minutes -- became a metaphor for the city's revival.

 

The stakes are not nearly as high for the Saints this time, but at 0-2, with losses to the Oakland Raiders and New York Giants coming by a combined total of four points, they could use some serious Superdome mojo against the 1-1 Falcons.

 

Saints coach Sean Payton, who was on the sidelines for Gleason's blocked point, which nearly blew the roof off the Superdome again, is trying to direct his thoughts to a team desperately in need of a win.

 

"It's the Atlanta Falcons, it's a division opponent and it's our first division game and we have not won," Payton said. "It is Monday Night Football, and that's the easy motivation in regards to the significance or importance to the game. A lot of these guys were not around, and, shoot, they may not have been playing football when that happened. It's more about finding a way to get our first win."

 

The Saints have three players on their current roster who participated in the 2006 rebirth game -- quarterback Drew Brees, guard Jahri Evans and tackle Zach Strief. The Falcons have only one -- defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux.

 

But Atlanta coach Dan Quinn realizes the Saints are desperate for a victory and will feed off the home crowd.

 

"They could just as easily be 2-0," Quinn said. "We know this a good team. In addition, it's a division game for us. We can't wait to get down there."

 

While the Falcons lead the overall series 48-45, Payton has owned Atlanta since taking over in 2006, winning 15 of 20.

 

The Saints struggled offensively last week in a 16-13 loss to the Giants. Their defense forced three turnovers against New York, but the critical play of the game turned out to be a blocked field goal that the Giants turned into a touchdown for a 10-point turnaround.

 

Payton was disappointed in his offense's lack of balance. Even though the game was close throughout, Brees threw 46 passes while the Saints ran the ball just 13 times for 3.2 yards a carry.

 

"I feel like the offensive line has been doing a great job in the run game," said running back Mark Ingram. "We just have to call them and execute them, give the coaches confidence where we can go out there and be effective in the run game."

 

The Falcons are tied for 25th in run defense and have allowed their first two opponents to rush for 4.6 yards a carry.

 

While the Saints seek to get their running game back on track, they realize Brees is their bread and butter.

 

"Obviously, you want to get after it in the run game, but when you have a dynamic quarterback like Drew who can just pick people off, then you got to play to your strengths," Evans said. "And he's definitely a strength."

 

The Falcons also have a high-octane offense. Quarterback Matt Ryan has thrown for more than 300 yards in each of his first two games -- a 31-24 Week 1 home loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a 35-28 road victory against the Raiders. Ryan leads the NFL in yards per pass attempt (10.0) and passer rating (121.4). He has five touchdowns passes and just one interception.

 

The Saints will have the crowd buzzing. Gleason, who is battling ALS, will be on hand for the game to whip the Superdome crowd into a frenzy.

 

"It's probably going to be their Super Bowl," said Atlanta safety Kemal Ishmael. "I know it's going to be something special for them, and they're going to get after us."

 

 

[RazorStar 4,025]

Saints don't typically get beaten at home, and even if they do they keep it close. I like the Saints here, even though I don't think they're very good this year.

 

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[Cherry 1,302]

34

 

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[Thanatos 2,847]

Saints don't typically get beaten at home, and even if they do they keep it close. I like the Saints here, even though I don't think they're very good this year.

 

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Actually the Saints are 7-9 at home over the past two years. Plus, lost 1 this year, so 7-10.

 

The Superdome is not what it once was in terms of homefield.

 

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[Vin+ 3,121]

 

Falcons declared LB De'Vondre Campbell, LB Paul Worrilow, S Dashon Goldson, OG Mike Person, OG Wes Schweitzer, TE Joshua Perkins, and DE Courtney Upshaw inactive for Week 3 against the Saints.

Campbell (ankle) and Worrilow (knee) are hurt. Julio Jones (calf) is active.

 

 

 

Willie Snead (toe) is inactive for Week 3 against the Falcons.

Rookie Mike Thomas will fill in and play heavier snaps as the No. 2 receiver, while Brandon Coleman will see increased work in three-wide sets. Look for those two and Coby Fleener to be more prominent targets in the red zone.

Also inactive for the Saints are S Kenny Vaccaro (ankle), LT Terron Armstead (knee), DT Tyeler Davison, WLB Dannell Ellerbe, CB Delvin Breaux, and TE Josh Hill.

[BigBen07 285]

I'll take

[Bay 2,003]

Tevin

 

Stealing Freeman's TDs =o

[BigBen07 285]

Well I was definitely off tonight.

 

Saints have a defense though.

[DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241]

So I'm not watching this game, but, Drew Brees is averaging 4.7 yards per attempt? Is every pass a screen?

[BigBen07 285]

So I'm not watching this game, but, Drew Brees is averaging 4.7 yards per attempt? Is every pass a screen?

Almost.

 

Not that it matters as the Saints D is getting killed again.

[Bay 2,003]

So I'm not watching this game, but, Drew Brees is averaging 4.7 yards per attempt? Is every pass a screen?

There were a few big ones. Brees just found Thomas as I'm typing this for a nice gain. All the incompletions would explain the low YPA.

Edited September 27, 2016 by Bay

[BwareDWare94 723]

I hereby petition for no more Saints primetime games in 2016.

[Bay 2,003]

I hereby petition for no more Saints primetime games in 2016.

Wouldn't you rather see the Saints over the Bears at least? Obviously the real answer is neither team, if you had to pick one though.

Edited September 27, 2016 by Bay

[Cherry 1,302]

They're 0-3 and got hatefucked by the Falcons. Stop.

[Cherry 1,302]

 

lol they are currently only one game behind in their division,just one game.

next week the worst they will do is only be 2 behind Falcons if Falcons win.

Falcons play Panthers next week. Saints win and are 3rd in their division and then have a bye.

 

you need to stop setting the playoffs after 4 games lol. This means you havent even paid attention each year to teams win/loss streaks as the season goes along. You assume far too much already.

 

go ahead and count the Saints out now,youll make me look like a genius bye the holidays.

 

so, no,... you stop. neener neener lol

Uh the Falcons are 2-1? Check yourself.

 

The Saints are a 7-9 team at best. Outside of Brees they have 3-13 talent.

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

Lol Saints....

 

Also, Devonta Freeman ATE. Dude led the team in carries, rushing yards, receptions, and receiving yards.

[Cherry 1,302]

It's 3-13 talent when you include defense. And it's not special to drop 30 on the Raiders and Falcons then 13 on Giants.

[Cherry 1,302]

 

excuses,excuses..

 

did you not see my parity explanation as to what has taken place the last couple years?

 

blowing out people proves nothing when that team gets blown out the previous week by someone else.

 

there is no way to evaluate anything consistently anymore. Its chaos

Are you fucking serious?

[ATL_Predator+ 1,196]

I don't feel as bad about our defense now...

[Thanatos 2,847]

 

check what? read what I said again. I of course noted the Falcons could have a two game lead after next week..

The Saints will beat the Chargers.

 

what did you think the Falcons record would be last year when they won their first five?

The Saint will do better than 7-9.

 

3-13 talent doesnt score as many points as they have the last 3 weeks

 

The Falcons have a two game lead RIGHT NOW, dude.

 

They're 2-1, the Saints are 0-3.

 

Now the Aints are one game behind the team that will actually end up winning the South, if that's what you meant to say.

Edited September 28, 2016 by Thanatos

[RazorStar 4,025]

I didn't know you had that much faith in Lameis Jameis after that awful two minute drill last sunday.

[Cherry 1,302]

 

have you even paid attention week to week the last 3 years?

of course i'm serious. hell, the first three weeks of this season are proof enough.

 

That what? Shit is chaotic? No it's not. It's chaotic if you saw the Saints or Colts as world-beaters. In reality they are shitty teams with good QBs.

[Thanatos 2,847]

 

 

a two game lead right now does not mean no playoffs for Saints in December.

 

but 1-2 translates to the Panthers still having a chance?

and if both teams are 1-3 after this weekend it will translate to the Panthers being ready to pounce but the Saints are still declining ?

 

My point was simply that you were wrong, the Falcons have a two-game lead right now. You said

 

 

lol they are currently only one game behind in their division,just one game.

 

And they are not, they are two games back. You were factually incorrect and I was pointing that out. That was it.

[Cherry 1,302]

And the Falcons blew out a shit Saints D.

[Cherry 1,302]

35-13-32 is not averaging 32.