-- Yes, everyone will be sky-high as the Superdome opens once again for professional football. And I guess at least for one evening the New Orleans Saints will be "America's Team." Okay - so there will be some emotional and sentimental edges for the new Orleans side. How long will that last, before the fundamentals that favor the Falcons in this matchup take over? For sure, Atlanta brings some things to the table that were not present with the first two Saints opponents. For one thing, the Falcons can run the ball about as well as anyone in the NFL. With the help of legendary assistant coach Alex Gibbs - the man behind the Denver running game - and a big offensive line, Warrick Dunn leads the NFL in rushing. And Jerious Norwood becomes an additional threat in the backfield. All told, the Falcons have 558 yards rushing thus far. And of course, there's the escapability of Michael Vick, which leads us to #2 - Vick's capacity to buy a lot of time for his receivers downfield. That will put some pressure on a Saints' secondary that came into the season questionable. Atlanta's defense is a little more athletic this season, though New Orleans may get a break if pass-rushing defensive end John Abraham can't go (groin injury). The Saints have been penalized only eight times, but those things have a tendency to even out. And Atlanta's Pro Bowl tight end Alge Crumpler (just four catches) has yet to be heard from much. Though the national media may not realize it, this is as heated a rivalry as exists in the NFL; the franchises, who came into the NFL a year apart, do not like each other, and the cities do not like each other. Atlanta has always cherished the opportunity to go into the Crescent city, covering 19 of its last 20 trips to New Orleans. On Monday night, fundamentals win out again. |
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