ScottF

I agree with you to an extent...
that game in Atl last November showed that the Falcons can still get up for the Saints and show heart & emotion even when their season is over. Other than that blowout when Brees broke the record, the games are always close.

My point is that the Falcons are pissed off, but the past 5-6 years they have been getting outplayed (and outcoached). Emotion only goes so far.
I expect a war on Sunday.

TheOak

If you were a close personal friend of mine this is what I would tell you. It's an uncomfortable truth because there is nothing that can be done in a draft, free agency, or on the practice field.

The Falcons have been out owned, GM'd, coached, and played by the Saints for a while now. It's systemic and until you change the head, the management, the product will continue in the same way. I've the same opinion of the Texans for the last few years.

On paper both teams pieces look right, but that doesn't translate to championship performance for either team.

Kubiack and Smith are good winning coaches but neither has next tier championship potential.

QBs were/are good but not great.

In a season when you were undefeated and we were stinking it up with out a head coach the Falcons couldn't pull it off.

Honestly when we play it's a big game, it's nearly a playoff game for both teams and Smith/Ryan preform similarly in both instances resulting in similar outcomes.

Nothing personal intended, we were in that boat for a while as well.

A lot of people are focusing on new players and healthy players for you this season, who I see is that your going to miss Gonzo. He was your goto scoring machine in a way that you have yet to replace.

Good luck Sunday.

Beastmode

7 Years does have a bearing on this season. Same coach and QB have been carving you up and they are back again.

|Mitch|

With more weapons and a much better defense that's got their back

|Mitch|

Great for them; they have won 4 in the last 17 games... Won't be the first time we've split with them and still won the division...

homerj07

I'm nervous/anxious for every game.

The Fail-clowns though, they bring out a special - I don't know - Desire, maybe?

All I know is a win against the Clowns is soooooo much sweeter and good. A loss to the clowns, well that's like a bad burn. It hurts like hell when you do it and it is continually there to remind you how much it sucks.

But hey, maybe that's just me.

jnormand

I think the Saints are a matchup nightmare for Atlanta. But I hope the defense is watching those two receivers. Shoddy and Julio can be damn good. Hester is still fast. I'm sure RR has a plan.

Tobias-Reiper

Huh... really? Not phased? Not even a little bit?

So that whole "getting tough" routine, based on all the butt hurt over the one run-of-the-mill bang bang play (from which any other QB just gets up and keeps on playing) that happened on the first game of last season, that is just a charade?

My ass. This Sunday's game is going to make or break the Clowns' season.

saintsfan1976

TR you're right. And it's all the rage on local radio here in Atlanta- how this is "just the first game......not a make or break.....not the biggest game of the year".

Folding pre read by the fans. I love it.

the-commish

The fans don't play this game... the players do. Quite frankly, I am a bit apprehensive about this one... opening on the road against your biggest rival.

Lets hope the Saints come out ready to play. If not....