Blogging Dirty
FanSided

Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints: Full game preview

By Freddie Boston

Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) talk following a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) and Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) talk following a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Dec 21, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws the ball prior to the game against the New Orleans Saintsat the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) throws the ball prior to the game against the New Orleans Saintsat the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

What to watch

A shootout on our hands?

New Orleans owns the No. 31 defense, and has been seemingly unable to stop anyone this season. When up against teams strong on offense and poor on defense, they have seen games turn into shootouts.

The Atlanta defense has made plenty of strides this season, but the pass rush and secondary struggled against Drew Brees and his offense in the first meeting between the teams. There will be no Mark Ingram to deal with this time, though.

The Falcons will have plenty of opportunities to score points, and it will be whether the defense can slowdown Brees that will likely determine if this is a free-scoring game or not.

Can Julio break the record?

If Julio Jones can get 17 receptions, which is a tall order, he will break the record for the most receptions in a season. Jones is currently in third place (127) behind Antonio Brown (129) and Marvin Harrison (143). So long as he plays the full game, Jones will overtake Brown. Can he catch Harrison?

Building on the pass rush

To win this game, the Falcons will need some pass rush to slow down a dangerous Saints offense. When Brees is able to comfortably drop back and fire deep to Brandin Cooks, defenses can have all sorts of problems. Can Vic Beasley build on last week’s game-winning play?

Next: Who to watch?

Home/Atlanta Falcons News