Monday Night Countdown: Falcons at Saints

Tonight, the Atlanta Falcons have another chance to prove they are a playoff contending team on prime time television. Their first go at it was Sunday night against the Chicago Bears.

Most people believe the Bears lost that game. The Falcons didn't actually win it. Well, going to New Orleans against an undefeated Saints team should give the Falcons some respect.

Personally, if the Falcons come out of this game the victor, I expect the media to spend more time talking about the Saints being exposed.

Regardless, this rivalry is one the country knows little about. Both teams have been in shadows for so much of their existence that it took a hurricane and dog fighting before people paid attention.

"It's definitely a rivalry," said former Saint now Falcon Aaron Stecker. "Every time we play Atlanta it's always an extra emphasis on the little things. At the beginning of the week we always talk about It's the Atlanta Falcons."

Both teams had to rebuild. One a city and a stadium, the other a franchise from the top to bottom. Both look to be stronger than ever before and ready to show the rest of the country the NFC South is ready to rise.

This game in particular has special meaning to me. Growing up in Louisiana, most of my friends are Saints fans. We debate, argue, and treat this game each season like our own little Super Bowl. Tonight is special;the world is forced to watch it!

The best thing about this deal is, both teams are good; they are very good in fact.

New Orleans will be defending their dome. Last season when these two met in the dome, both teams had exactly 414 total yards. Rookie Matt Ryan tossed for over 300 yards in the loss that went down to the final drive. The Saints converted a fourth down that resulted in a Pierre Thomas touchdown.

And in what's become a trend for Mike Smith and the Falcons of late they punt down by four points with three minutes left in the game; they never got the ball back.

Being one of the only remaining undefeated teams in the NFL, the Saints will be very motivated to put on a show for their home town. The Falcons need this win to keep pace in the division and keep that wild card spot open in case the Saints finish as strong as they have started.

This game will feature two of the best quarterbacks in the league in Drew Brees and Matt Ryan. For franchises that boasted the likes of Billy Joe Hobert, Joey Harrington, Billy Joe Tolliver, and Tony Graziani, this is an unprecedented time for both. No offense, to the likes of Michael Vick, Aaron Brooks, Chris Chandler or the Cajun cannon Bobby Hebert, but this is special.

Last season, Brees challenged Dan Marino's passing record and fell short on an under-thrown route down the middle intended for Lance Moore. He is playing football about as well as any quarterback in the league.

What makes this Saints team more complete is the balance they have this season. They actually run the ball more often than pass. The play-action they get from the running game gives Brees an advantage he hasn't had since his days in San Diego. The combination of Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell, and Reggie Bush give defenses too much to defend.

The Saints also hired defensive guru Gregg Williams to solidify that always suspect secondary and had the signing of the year when they got a retread player from the NFC North named Darren Sharper. That guy should win defensive player of the year if he even plays half as well the rest of the season. He has picked off six pass and returned three of them for scores. He is a nightmare in the secondary.

The Falcons has not been playing up to their potential so far this season. Their offense on paper would make any defensive coordinator stay up late worrying about who to defend. Besides second-year phenom Ryan, you have Michael Turner, Tony Gonzalez, Roddy White, and Jerious Norwood. The fact that Ryan can distribute the ball to each of these weapons effectively is trouble for any defense.

But the wheels on the bus aren't going round and round. The offensive line has had trouble run blocking, the receivers aren't testing teams down-field much and the alignments the Falcons use allows for the opposing teams' defense to stay bunched up at the line of scrimmage;there just isn't any explosion on offense.

IN THE WORDS OF CHUCKY

In a recent interview with NOLA (Saints Local Paper) former Tampa Bay coach turned commentator Jon Gruden gave his thoughts on the upcoming game.

"I think you have two high-powered offenses,  two outstanding quarterbacks,  and I really think you have two tremendous defensive minds,(Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams) and Falcons coach Mike Smith) that are going to go head to head,  and it's going to be exciting."

INJURY BUG IN FULL EFFECT

Injuries have mounted on the Falcons and it's become a glaring issue. The secondary lost Brian Williams for the season. After being signed from Jacksonville this season, he quickly took over the void left by Dominique Foxworth. First round draft choice Peria Jerry only played in six quarters, but the play of the line has shown it was counting on  him to be there for the season.

His replacement, Thomas Johnson, hasn't played terrible, but the Falcons run defense is not the same. Slot receiver Harry Douglas was the Falcons sparkplug before he was lost before the season began.

Both Jerious Norwood and fullback Ovie Mughelli have missed games this season from random battle wounds. Their status for tonight is questionable. As are second year defensive end and starter Kroy Biermann and stud end John Abraham.

Injuries define teams; someone has to step up or this could be a very long night for the visitors.

MATCH UPS

There are so many good ones to watch tonight with so much talent on the field. It's hard to point them all out, but I will try and point the ones I believe will make a difference in the outcome tonight.

The Saints running game vs. Curtis Lofton

Lofton may be the most under-rated middle linebackers in the NFL. He is a tackling machine. He is currently ranked eighth in the NFL in tackles. He needs nine tonight to tie Redskins linebacker London Fletcher for the lead. He's going against a team ranked sixth in rushing average. All three backs have different styles and Sean Payton will stick with them the entire game. How will Lofton fill the holes will determine how well this game will end.

Darren Sharper vs. Tony Gonzalez

At some point, I expect this match-up to be big. Whoever wins this match-up, could be the proverbial nail in the coffin for the opposing team.

Drew Brees vs. The Falcons Secondary

This is a mis-match in the truest sense of the word. The Falcons go into the game without Brian Williams, who was their best corner. They will start 'Crisp' Houston and coach Mike Smith hasn't determined if 'Burnt' Grimes or Tye Hill will start opposite. Former LSU corner Chevis Jackson will man the nickel slot. Brees should have his pick of match-ups in the Falcons zone cover schemes.

Roddy White vs. Jabari Greer

White has had one great game this season and the rest have been average. He's a risk to break out at any moment so Greer will have his hands full. Much of the safety help will be used to shadow future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. Greer has played outstanding thus far and tonight gets a chance on national television to be noticed. He will be guarding one of the NFL's top receivers tonight.

VEGAS HAS IT AT 11 1/2 POINTS

According to the odds posted this morning, the Saints are a huge favorite to win at home. I'm not sure if Vegas takes into account the rivalry aspect of this game. I suppose if you look at the averages both teams put up offensively, it makes sense, but that's why they play the game.

INTERESTING STATS OF THE NIGHT

The Matt Ryan led Falcons have never lost back to back games since the turnover last season under GM Thomas Dimitroff and Coach Mike Smith.

The New Orleans Saints have only once in their 43 year existence started the season 7-0.

The Saints offense is averaging over 40 points a game in 2009.

The Falcons lead the division rivalry 45-35 going into tonight's game.

SO WHO WILL WIN

Unless the Falcons can come out scoring and get the crowd out of the game, I believe it will be a long night for the Falcons. Especially that depleted secondary. I expect the Falcons to hang in there until the fourth quarter. Both teams can score at will, so don't count either one out until the end.

Saints 37, Falcons 27

I expect a second half shoot-out and the Saints defense is better prepared for that than the Falcons.