billyt81

The Falcons always play us close. They very easily could've won our first matchup last year and they ended the season like 4-12 right? Trying my best to be objective, I see our offense having a distinct advantage against their defense, but I could also see Julio and Roddy White causing our secondary some real problems. Looking at the game as a Saints fan, I think the Saints are way better than the Falcons and I wouldn't be surprised by a blowout. Devin Hester is not a great WR and a healthy Colston and Graham plus Cooks and our improved running game is way too much for the Falcons D which has a suspect secondary and can't rush the passer.

SaintnDE

Some of ya'lls attitudes are what get us in trouble in games like with the Rams!

SaintFanInATLHELL

But that's an apples and gorillas comparison. There are two defensive phases that can down any offense: stopping the run and pressuring the QB, especially up the middle. The Rams front 7 have the ability to do that in spades, especially because their front 4 can create tremendous pressure without blitzing. In Rams games as of late, Brees has been on his back, rushed, and throwing out of balance. The results are easy to see.

The thing is that the Falcons have none of this. Last year QBs had a collective 100+ passer rating against that defense. And it just didn't get much better in the offseason. On the other hand the emergence of Armstead and the upgrade from DLP to Goodwin (backed by Lelito) along with Grubbs and Evens being healthy has solidified the Saints offensive line.

On the other side the return of Jones and White to health is problematic. However, remember that a defense that can stop the run and pressure the QB can neutralize any offense. The Saints have an upgraded backend and a rush with Gallette, Jordan, and Hicks that can get to the QB. The Falcons' offensive line, which was below average last year at best, only improved slightly in the offseason with the addition of Matthews and their free agent guard from KC whose name I can never remember. Then they lost Baker once again during camp. You can have the best receivers in the world, but a QB cannot throw to them from his back.

The NFL is all about matchups. The Rams are a tough matchup for many a team in the league for exactly the reasons that I outlined above. The Falcons, not so much.

So it's like comparing apples... and gorillas.

SFIAH

Super Bowl Championships: New Orleans Saints:1, Carolina:0, Atlanta Chokers: STILL ZERO

Only Atlanta choked in an unchokable situation... Life is definitely good.

|Mitch|

Seriously? Our attitudes as fans is the problem as to why the team struggles every so often?

Maybe we should all start watching game film and preparing for the game, just like the players do...

RockyMountainSaint

What a load of crap!
I have never seen a coach be in another coaches' head like Payton is in "Master Of Panic" Mike Smith's.
I have been waiting for the day when they finally lead him away in a straightjacket.

73Saint

We're so in their heads. It's like a compulsive liar, who doesn't even know he's lying anymore...

ScottF

Very true.
For recent evidence watch Matty in the pocket after the KV hit. Completely unnerved, maybe got 1-2 reads before he threw it into the stands prematurely.

Rugby Saint II

I've seen delusional fans before but this is ridiculous.

NOLA54

As long as the Saints don't become complacent. I am looking for our defense to be very tough and the offense to bust it open.

WillSaints81

I for one am concerned about this game. Is it a make or break game? No. But if we lose this game we need to beat the bucs week 5 and start out 4-1. And the Bucs will need to start out 2-3 as I believe its us or them that wins the south. The division trends and the 2015 schedule being so winnable for us has me concerned that we need to sweep them two years straight here and they have followed our placement every year. If we sweep them next year then there is no way we finish below them. So I feel we need to pull off the sweep again or we better hope three south teams are in this year.