MKRob Sports

Tonight’s matchup between NFC South foes New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons looks to be a good game, but I don’t know if it will be as good as people think. Let’s dive right into the preview:

Saints offense vs Falcons defense

The New Orleans Saints have the most powerful offense in the NFL averaging 427 yards per game and quarterback Drew Brees seems to throw the ball wherever he wants against opposing secondaries.

The Falcons have been struggling for years to find secondary help. They have worked out and signed numerous veterans around the league. The Falcons signed former Rams cornerback Tye Hill and former Jaguars defensive back Brian Williams to help sure up the secondary but since that time Williams has gone down with a season-ending knee injury and left the Falcons down a secondary member.

Last week, the Falcons worked out two former Giants defensive backs in Charlie Peprah and R.W. McQuarters to fill the void left by Williams, but neither was signed so the Falcons are more than likely going with either Chevis Jackson or Tye Hill at nickel back with Chris Houston and Brent Grimes starting at cornerback.

The Falcons have two guys that could put some pressure on Brees in veteran defensive ends John Abraham and Chauncey Davis, but I think they are over matched against the Saints offensive line.

The Saints the running game should fare well against the Falcons as well.  Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder’s defense is ranked 21st against the run and with the passing game doing so well, the running lanes will be wide open for Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell and Reggie Bush tonight.

Falcons tackling machine linebacker Mike Peterson will have to bring his A game tonight in order for Atlanta to be fully affective at stopping the run.

I fully expect for Brees to take full advantage of the Falcons poor secondary who is ranked 27th against the pass this year and pass for at least three touchdown. Brees will get his usual cast of characters involved. I’m looking for wide receivers Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Lance Moore and Robert Meachem to have nice games and not to mention pro bowl tight end Jeremy Shockey getting in on the action as well.

Falcons offense vs Saints defense

The Falcons have a plethora of weapons on offense and should play pretty well against a Saints defense who just lost their star defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis for a month with a sprained MCL.

Quarterback Matt Ryan had a tough game against the Dallas Cowboys last week and doesn’t get any better this week facing a Saints defense that is led by future hall of fame safety Darren Sharper who going into week eight led the NFL with six interceptions and in defensive touchdowns with three. Although the Saints defense isnt overpowering by a long shot, they are finding ways to get it done.

Ryan has pro bowl running back Michael Turner to run the ball and may get some assistance from players not known very well in Atlanta.

Injuries to fellow running backs Jerious Norwood, Jason Snelling and Ovie Mughelli, who are all listed as questionable for tonight’s game, may force head coach Mike Smith to play running back Verron Haynes and newly signed back Aaron Stecker more than he wants to. Stecker will make his debut against his former team tonight and may run with some purpose.

The Falcons offensive arsenal also includes pro bowl wide receiver Roddy White, wide receivers Michael Jenkins, Eric Weems, Marty Booker and future hall of fame tight end Tony Gonzalez. I don’t think they will all have great numbers tonight but they should play ok.

The Saints two leading tacklers, linebackers Scott Shanle and Jonathan Vilma will be the key to stopping the run in this game and if they do that, they will force Matt Ryan to throw the ball against a Saints secondary is third in the league in interceptions with 13.

I expect the Falcons to put up some decent numbers against the Saints defense but they need to run the ball more than they want to so they could keep the ball away from that always lurking safety Darren Sharper.

Prediction:

New Orleans Saints 47

Atlanta Falcons 24