Atlanta Falcons-New Orleans Saints Preview - It's Hate Week, Christmas Edition
Somehow it's already week 16 of the NFL season which gives us the game we've all been waiting for, the Atlanta Falcons (12-2) and the New Orleans Saints (10-4) on football's biggest stage, Monday Night Football. This rivalry is viewed nationally and by saints fans as a one sided affair, but make no mistake this is far from a one dog fight. The two organizations have very similar histories and were birthed just a year apart, with the Atlanta franchise coming first in 1966. Falcons have an overall record of 288-392-6 (.424) slightly below that of the Saints' 285-382-5 (.427). Both teams have only one NFC championship each and as saints fans will quickly jump to let you know their visit brought home the Lombardi trophy.
The series holds different results, the Falcons hold a firm grip on the series record that stands at 46-37(1-0 postseason). The rivalry is on built deeply on hatred as anyone can tell you that's been to a contest where the two have done battle. It's not a series rooted in streaks or tendencies, however 1995 through the 2000 season never witnessed a New Orleans victory. Even during their championship run a year ago it's hard to argue, if you watched the games, that Atlanta wasn't their two toughest wins. Growing up I always heard accounts of the busses trips organized by rival fans for away games that almost always erupted into fights upon arrival. When these two teams square off you also don't see a lot of blow out, though there have been a few. The largest margin of victory came in 1973 when the Falcons handed the saints a 62-7 thumping. In 1987 the saints recoded their biggest win shutting out Atlanta 38-0.
Like in series past the 83rd addition of the rivalry saw a tough competitive fight in week three of this year. After forcing three and out To start the game the saints 1st quarter, got on the board after a big punt return by lance moore, who would be a thorn in the Falcons side all day. The away team quickly returned punches scoring on their ensuing drive to tie the game at sevens. Things got even better for Atlanta by intercepting Bresus' first pass of their next drive, but could not capitalize on the miscue and after punting were quickly bitten again by the man that wears eye black under only one eye....even in domes. The 2nd quarter only saw on score, but it was a prototypical Falcons' drive eating up over 10 minutes of clock, covering 70 yards on twenty plays, capped off by a Turner one-yard touchdown. After coming out of halftime all square at 14, the second half didn't help answer any questions as the two teams traded 7-3 quarters. The final score of regulation coming off the foot of, the soon to be goat, hartley wi under ten seconds left on the clock. In extra time the Falcon's offense gave the saints the ball after only four plays and sat back as they watched them drive nearly the length of the field before the aforementioned goat booted the would-be game winner WIDE LEFT. Not to be denied again Matty Ice and the offense overcame a 10 yard penalty to start the drive and orchestrated a drive to set up Matt Bryant from 46 yards and watched as the ball sailed throw the uprights. Falcons win 27-24
Fast forward to week 16 and a game where the two NFC South teams will face at the peek of health. Since their meeting in September the saints have posted a 8-3 record highlighted by a 20-10 win against the Steelers with loses at Arizona, to Cleveland, and last week in Baltimore. The weeks since their last meeting has also seen brees add to a season total of 19 interceptions,10 more than his counterpart, throwing at least one in his last 10 contests.
The Falcons have flown relatively under the radar while compiling a league best 14-2 record thanks in large part to a consistent offensive attack that eats away at the play clock and a very underrated 'bend but don't break' defense led by John Abraham and his 12 sacks, good for third highest in the NFL in spite of fewer plays.
This game is gigantic even without the playoff implications and the national spotlight and when you add it all together with the world war that's going on between fans online it is going to be an interesting battle Monday night. With a win on Monday or against Carolina in week 17, Atlanta can secure the number one seed in the NFC and Dome Field Advantage through the playoffs. The saints need a win to guarantee their spot in the postseason as well. This game comes down to if Michael Turner can get those tree trunks he calls legs to burn up yardage against the new orleans defense that gave up 153 yards on the ground to Ray Rice a week ago. The Falcons can also help their cause by limiting the big plays and wrapping up in the tackles as the saints an extremely fast offensive unit. I think brees attempts to go to their air very often and using his running backs as outlets routinely.
Falcons 37-29
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