New Orleans Saints Forums - blackandgold.com - Article New Orleans Saints: The Big Picture

During their last few playoff appearances, the Atlanta Falcons didn’t look like a legitimate Super Bowl contender. But guess what? So far this season, they do. They’re 8-0.

These days, the New Orleans Saints hardly look like a Super Bowl contender. But guess what? After their horrid start, they’ve won three of their last four.

At noon Sunday in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, they’d love nothing more than to hand the Falcons their first loss.

Of course, Roddy White doesn’t think it’ll happen.

In case you missed it, the Falcons’ veteran receiver told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution this week that he believes his team can go 16-0.

“I’m hoping so,” White said. “I think we have the pedigree to do it.”

Win or lose, New Orleans’ defense will probably have its hands full with Atlanta. After all, the Saints have a tough time stopping anyone.

In a crucial 28-13 win over the Eagles, they gave up 400-plus yards for the eighth consecutive game, and they didn’t exactly shut down Philadelphia’s ground attack (tailback LeSean McCoy averaged 6.3 yards per carry).

But as in previous wins against San Diego and Tampa Bay, the defense made a handful of game-changing plays, including that crucial 99-yard interception return by Patrick Robinson, not to mention those seven sacks of Michael Vick.

So maybe the Saints are primed for a breakout game. Maybe they’re primed for a big win over a big rival. Surely, Saints fans would love nothing more.

Read more: New Orleans Saints: The Big Picture | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA