Atlanta Falcons Prepare To Face New Orleans Saints, Drew Brees, and Company

The Falcons travel to New Orleans to face the defending Super Bowl champion and division foe Saints Sunday afternoon, and slowing down the Saints’ offense will be the Falcons’ primary concern if they want to improve to 2-1 on the year.

After facing a backup quarterback in Dennis Dixon in Week 1 and a struggling Derek Anderson in Week 2, Drew Brees presents a challenge the Falcons defense has yet to face in 2010.

“He’s definitely going to be the best quarterback that we’ve faced this season,” head coach Mike Smith said. “He may very well be the best quarterback we face all season.”

Despite allowing just 22 points over their first two games, the Falcons are 1-1. They have allowed an average of 180 passing yards and no passing touchdowns through their first two games, and they are tied for the NFL lead in interceptions with four.

No doubt they’ll face a much different offense on Sunday than they’ve seen thus far.

“It’ll be a big challenge,” Smith said. “I think the biggest challenge is the surrounding cast that’s around Drew Brees...It creates matchup issues, not only for our team, but for any team the New Orleans Saints play.”

The Saints will be without running back and playmaking return man Reggie Bush, who is out at least six weeks with a fractured fibula. The Falcons are currently ranked 10th in passing defense and fourth in scoring defense.

The Falcons travel to New Orleans this Sunday for a 1 p.m. EDT kickoff.

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