When the Atlanta Falcons defeated the New Orleans Saints 27-24 in overtime this past September, the game was something of an offensive explosion. Atlanta out-gained the Saints 417 yards to 398, and the Falcons were able to eke out a victory despite the fact that Drew Brees threw for 365 yards and three touchdowns.
Monday Night Football, Saints Vs. Falcons: How To Stop Drew Brees, Saints Offense
The Saints had to compensate for a complete lack of a rushing attack not only in that loss (16 carries, 43 yards), but all season (the Saints have the league’s 26th-ranked run offense). SB Nation’s Canal Street Chronicles theorized about Sean Payton’s hesitancy to rely on his rushing attack, as he did in 2009:
I’m beginning to think Chris Ivory has a lot to do with it. If he’s healthy, then Payton will use him. But it’s almost as if he has little to no trust in Pierre Thomas or Reggie Bush at this point. Almost like it’s Ivory or nothing. Perhaps neither is still truly healthy. But you just never know with Payton. He might come out and run the ball twenty times in the first half.
Brees did throw two interceptions in that Week 3 contest, as well, but clearly, if the Falcons can get his yardage and point totals down this evening, they’ll have a much better chance at pulling off a sweep of the defending champs. SB Nation’s The Falcoholic discussed Atlanta’s secondary matching up with Brees and his talented offensive weaponry - which extends beyond the big-name receivers:
Falcons will have to contend with Bush for the first time this year. And Jimmy Graham has really progressed since Week 3. We have to find a way to deal with those two, otherwise bad stuff could happen. Bad stuff should be avoided. While they’ve played what are arguably less-talented teams, Falcons have only surrendered 5 passing TDs over the past 5 weeks. They gave up 5 passing TDs in the two preceding games - Weeks 9 and 10 - dating back to the bye week.
Neither team’s defense is dominant. The Saints throw the ball more than just about any team in the NFL, while the Falcons like to methodically leech the life out of their opponents. This could be another high-scoring NFC South affair tonight, with both teams carrying advantages offensively.
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