Nov 4, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws a pass in the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE
Tomorrow is the renewing of the Falcon’s biggest rivals. They put their perfect record on the line as they head to New Orleans to take on the hated Saints. I am going to be honest, I can’t stand the Saints. I couldn’t ever imagine rooting for them. I love rooting against the Saints every week.
I am a real person, though. I know the 3-5 record they have doesn’t truly display the firepower they have. They have one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL in Drew Brees. He has broken many records as a quarterback for New Orleans. Last year, he broke the record for most passing yards in a season, with 5,476. This man can play, but so can a man named Matt Ryan.
The last few years, these games have been close. The first game they played last season went in to Overtime, while the second match up wasn’t as close. I have to say, both these teams are much different from last season. The Saints went through an entire off season debacle. They are missing their head coach Sean Peyton. They recently got GM Micky Loomis back from suspension.
Both these teams running games have struggled mightily this season. The Saints are 29th in running, and the Falcons are 25th. Both of those rankings are not any good, and both these teams don’t rely on the run game.This only means that this game is going to come down to the strength of both teams: the passing game.
The game is going to be extremely fun to watch. I honestly think there could be 90 or more attempts between the two of these teams. Whoever is more effective in throwing the ball is going to take this game. I can tell you one thing, the Falcons gave the advantage in the running game. I expect 100 yards on the ground for the Falcons, and about 80 for the Saints. But who has the passing advantage?
That million dollar question is one that is almost impossible to answer. I know Drew Brees and Matt Ryan will be on the top of their games. When they are both at the top of their games, they are as even as they get in my opinion. Last season, that would not have been true. Ryan has improved greatly over the off season.
I can’t tell you who I would rather have at tight end, Tony Gonzalez or Jimmy Graham. Both are as good as they get at their position. I love them both at tight end. Graham is revolutionizing the position, while Tony set what the tight end is now.
Now, it comes down to the receiving cores. Julio Jones, Roddy White, and Harry Douglas cap off a top 3 receiving cores in the league, while the Saint’s have Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, and Lance Moore. The Saint’s receivers aren’t as big as names as the Falcon’s receivers. Talent wise, I give the Falcon’s the edge. This gives the Falcon’s the overall advantage in the passing game.
Home crowd is a huge factor in this game. Playing in New Orleans is incredibly tough. It makes it even worse being the most hated team of the Saints. This shouldn’t effect the overall outcome of the game, however.
I feel this is a new chapter in the Saints-Falcons rivalry. The Saints have dominated the series the past few years. I feel the game will come down to the passing game. Like I said, I feel the Falcons have the edge in that category. I have to take the hot Falcons over the struggling Saints.