Official Monday Night Football Thread

[IXI B@CkSt0P IXI]

Ok, well here we go...

The Saints are back in New Orleans to face of against the division rival Atlanta Falcons (2-0). I have thought about this game all week and I can not say if my Saints have a true shot at winning this one. Anyways, here is my breakdown for this weeks game.

Both the Falcons and the Saints are coming into this game with their defenses playing great. Both defenses come into this game highly ranked. The Falcons sit at #10 and the Saints follow them at #11. However, that is not the main stat for these defenses. Atlanta has held there opponents to only 52 rushing yards per game while the Saints are at 72.

Offensive Keys - Saints
For the Saints to get going quickly, they are going to have to establish the run early and often. The Falcons have been one of the toughest against the run and the Saints are going to have to pound the ball until that d-line breaks down. Drew Brees is also going to be a big part of this game. The Falcons secondary is average at best and the run can get going than Brees should have no problem with the play action.

Offensive Keys - Falcons
The Falcons are averaging over 150 yards a game on the ground and in last weeks game against the Bucs, both Dunn and Vick went over 100 yards. I don't think that Vick is going to be successful in rolling out of the pocket tonight. The Saints linebackers are pretty fast for their positions and I think there will be at least one guy watching Vick on every play. Also, im going to stick with the Saints and there ability to stop the run this season and im going to predict them holding Dunn to under 100 yards tonight. If the Falcons are going to win this one, it will be by Vick passing and not running.

Defensive Keys - Saints
The Saints secondary has not been very impressive as always, but they are going to have to step up tonight. The Saints are going to be expecting the Falcons to run the ball, so the secondary is going to be all alone out there.

Defensive Keys - Falcons
This one is simple, stop the pass. If the Falcons can just concentrate on the run and not the pass, then it should be an easy on for them. Another big thing is stop #25. Sean Peyton is for sure going to be throwing Bush in there in several different ways tonight.

Thoughts?

[IXI B@CkSt0P IXI]

Another little interesting note...

Reggie Bush has yet to score a touchdown this season. Will his first touchdown come in front of the home crowd?

[sprew8]

backstop said:

Another little interesting note...

Reggie Bush has yet to score a touchdown this season. Will his first touchdown come in front of the home crowd?

no, falcons defense is awesome, they wont score much

[JacktheRipper]

People will see tonight what emotion can do to a team. The Saints will play the best game of their season tonight, at least I hope. They better not disappoint the hometown crowd.

[IXI B@CkSt0P IXI]

Well I don't mean to brag *cough* sprew *cough...

That Falcons defense is really dominating our offense so far. Im not going to brag though because this is still a ball game, but my Saints are looking DAMN good! It's almost making me forget about the Alabama loss. In case you havn't noticed, I have not said one thing about college ball and Bama since the lost...

[JacktheRipper]

Well to make a connection to college ball, what the Saints did tonight is one reason I think Bama has a chance against Auburn. The Saints came out pumped up and the crowd has really be into the game and that can lift a lesser team over a good team. Could.

The Saints have looked great though tonight, I really can't complain about much. I've finally got a little pride to go along with my Saints.

[IXI B@CkSt0P IXI]

Your a Saints fan also Bama? I never knew that. Cool, I finally have somebody to back me and my saints up. Also is it just me or is my predictions a little true. I said that our defense would stop there running of Dunn and Vick and that there passing would have to beat us and look what has happened. Im a football genious, lol j/k.

[JacktheRipper]

I don't care nearly as much about the Saints as compared to Bama, but they're by far my favorite pro team. I've watched every game for the past three years though, which should kind of show that. I mean last year was painful, but hopefully this year will make it worth it.

[IXI B@CkSt0P IXI]

Well after the game im really starting to think that this isn't just luck the Saints are having. Our defense is trule showing up game in and game out. I mean just like I said, we held Dunn to 47 yards! We held this team all game and our offense did it's job.

Another big positive is that we had no turnovers. This is a big step up and also we didn't commit a lot of penalties. The Saints played a smart game and did what they had to do. Now lets take it to Carolina next week and show them what we got...

EDIT: This is truly amazing, all the fans are still on the field and they are not leaving. This is 30 minutes after the games end and these fans are still on there feet cheering. You just don't know how good it feels to see a new attitude like this come to the Saints. It truly makes you think about how that city is built around this team...

[sprew8]

good job Saints. BAD JOB Falcons. no superbowl for them thats for sure. they are not consistent. but again, good job saints !

[JacktheRipper]

sprew8 said:

good job Saints. BAD JOB Falcons. no superbowl for them thats for sure. they are not consistent. but again, good job saints !

You're not seeing what really happened last night. The Saints fed off the crowd last night and simply played the type of game that no team was going to beat. Just kind of like a story from a book.

I wouldn't try to judge either team after that game last night, because of all the outside factors invovled.

[detroitbasketball]

I enjoy reading posts from the folks who write off a team after their first loss. I mean, we have 14 weeks to go in the season. It's ridiculous to count out anyone at this point, except for the Lions of course.

Anyway, great work Saints, not only am I glad you're helping NOLA get back on their feet, but I hate the Falcons with a deep passion.

[IXI B@CkSt0P IXI]

Yea, it is hard to judge by last nights game. I mean you heard what I think it was Michael Irvin or one of the pre-game guys said. They said that they would take tonights Saints over any team in the history of the NFL...

Next weeks game against Carolina will tell the story of the Saints.

[Leak2Troupe03]

I dont think it will be what happens against Carolina that tells the story of the Saints this season, but what they do after the Panthers game this season that will.

I have a feeling the team everybody expected out of Carolina will make their showing and win the next few games. New Orleans will drop their first, but the key will be can they recover from that loss?

Its easiest to say they'll fall apart and wont recover but im going to go and say they might finish around .500 this season. Dont see that as a knock though, I think this team has alot of future potential.

[sprew8]

I know it meant big for the Saints, but the Falcons could of won that game. It wasnt impossible. They just sucked. They got their running game stopped and their passing game is just awefull.