NFC Game Of The Week
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons
Saints: In week one, they didn’t show up. Plain and simple and after that game against the Buccaneers, I kept saying that they took the Tampa Bay Buccaneers too lightly and it showed with their effort on the field. Last year, their defense finally showed up and made plays, but in their opener, they gave up 48. In week two against the Browns, they improved and played much better football. They gave up a few big plays here and there but held on to make stops. The offense will always move the ball down the field and as long as Drew Brees is under center for the Saints, they will always have a shot to win football games. To be honest, I wasn’t worried about the Saints after dropping the opener because they lost their first two games of the season in 2017 and look what happened after that so let’s not throw the towel in on them so quickly. Defensively, they do need to tighten a few things up such as playing too much zone and giving up space after a guy catches the ball. This is their first game on the road and what’s a better way to have your first road battle than in the place every team looks to be playing on that first Sunday in February in Atlanta?
Falcons: I felt that week two was a must win for several teams and they were one of them and I also felt that their game against the Eagles was a winnable game because they played great defense and moved the football down the field, but where they struggled was in the red area and when you can’t capitalize on those easy scoring opportunities, you won’t win games and that’s what hurt them. In week two against the Panthers, I saw Matt Ryan flip the switch and show some aggression. Each time they were in the red zone, they were coming away with six instead of a field goal and when he spreads the ball around to other receivers not named Julio, he gets into a rhythm and stays in that rhythm. I didn’t think they had a shot on Sunday against the Panthers, especially without three of their best players in Devonta Freeman, Keanu Neal (their heart and soul) and Deion Jones (their best defensive player) but they prevailed and they were balanced offensively – 256 passing yards and 172 rushing yards. It was definitely a big win to turn things around after losing a close one in Philly. They continue their tough opening stretch of games on Sunday against another team that made the playoffs last season and it’s a rivalry game.
Saints Player To Watch: Ted Ginn– He’s been around the league for quite some time and he still has that explosive speed. He’s a guy that can be used in the slot to get over the top of defensive backfields and he can also make his mark in the special teams’ aspect. He can make a big a catch when you need it.
Falcons Player To Watch: Vic Beasley– With Deion out for an extended period of time, he needs to step up for the Falcons defense and lead them. They drafted him with the eighth pick in the first round back in the 2015 draft and he hasn’t been the player many have expected him to be. He needs to be the anchor of that front seven for the time being.
Final Analysis: This is one of my favorite rivalries in the league for a few reasons. First, the fans really get into this match-up. Secondly, the games are always close and they come down to the fourth quarter and lastly, the games are always entertaining! I’m expecting a battle between these two on Sunday. The Saints will come out and create those mismatches with a safety or linebacker by using Alvin Kamara in space in the passing game. The same intensity that Atlanta showed in week two is how they need to come out and get things going in their favor, especially when they’re 20 yards and in close to scoring.
Prediction: Falcons 30 Saints 27 It
