Falcons vs Saints: Why Atlanta Could Pull Off Huge Monday Night Upset

When the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints kick off on Monday night in the Big Easy, playoff berths are not on the line. However, playoff seedings are.

Currently the Saints hold an 11-3 record to Atlanta's 9-5 as well as a win over the Falcons in the Georgia Dome. The only difference being, Atlanta WR Julio Jones was limited to two receptions for just nine yards after leaving with an injury.

This time around though, Jones is eager to dominate and slice up the Saints' No. 28 ranked pass defense (allow 256.1 yards per game). In turn, the Dirty Birds offense ranks No. 9 in passing and averages 255.8 pass yards per game.

QB Matt Ryan has an array of targets in addition to Jones with TE Tony Gonzalez and WR Roddy White. Also, RB Michael Turner's production is a key factor is keeping the Saints offense off the field.

As for the game, Atlanta must keep a balance in order to prevent the Saints from being aggressive. Safeties Roman Harper and Isa Abdul-Quddus are physical and love to jam WRs. Quddus has forced four fumbles on the year, and Harper has recorded 7.5 sacks and forced two additional fumbles.

So, running the ball with Turner early to set up the pass is needed but as the game continues, you know the Saints will score, therefore airing it out to maintain pace is required. Ryan must also not turn the ball over.

This season Ryan has thrown 12 picks and fumbled five times, and four times he's thrown at least two picks in one game. If you want to beat the Saints, efficiency is the key.

As for the Falcons defense, they must get a pass rush on QB Drew Brees. DLs John Abraham, Ray Edwards and Jonathan Babineaux need to get pressure. Even if they don't accumulate a ton of sacks on Brees, forcing him to throw earlier than wanted to mess up the timing is all you need.

Press coverage on Brees' WRs and bracketing coverage on TE Jimmy Graham with LBs Curtis Lofton and Sean Weatherspoon will also work. Graham has been Brees' favorite target this season by far, so limiting his targets will slow down the New Orleans offense.

The last time these two met on the gridiron, Brees went 30-of-43 for 322 yards, two TDs, was sacked zero times and only hit twice. Can't stop the Saints offense with no pass rush.

In terms of special teams, not kicking the ball to return specialist Darren Sproles must happen. Sproles has the ability to take one back at any time, so changing the field position and not giving up a return can give Atlanta a major advantage.

All this being said, playing effective offense and getting a pass rush is how Atlanta can beat the Saints. WR Julio Jones' production is the single most important factor of this game though, because he was not a factor after leaving the first contest early.

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @Sportswriter27