Falcons Look to Silence Critics

The Atlanta Falcons short week of rest comes to an end tonight as they face the New Orleans Saints at 8:20 p.m. The rivalry for the game was displayed early, as airport workers threw eggs at the Saints' team buses after they landed at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on Wednesday night.
The Saints are 5-6 on the year and are looking to keep their already slim playoff hopes alive. They lost to the San Francisco 49ers last week 31-21. Saints' quarterback Drew Brees threw three touchdowns last week and for 298 yards, but he also threw two interceptions and both were returned for touchdowns. The Saints usually have the Falcons' number though, as they have won eleven of the past thirteen meetings between the two teams, including the last two meetings at the Georgia Dome. If the Saints can manage to beat the Falcons again for the second time in three weeks, their hopes for the playoffs will still be alive.
The Falcons will try and hush the critics, who still give them a hard time week to week, despite the fact the Falcons are 10-1. It's games like the last two that give the critics reasons to doubt the Falcons. The Falcons barely beat the lowly Arizona Cardinals two weeks ago, and won by a single point against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past Sunday. In order to beat the Saints and silence the critics, the Falcons need to do two things to improve their game.
First, they need to get out to an early lead and maintain that lead. The Falcons have had to play "catch-up" the past few weeks, and throughout most of the season. If Matt Ryan can lead the offense and score a few early touchdowns, the Falcons will have a better shot at winning.
Second, they need to have a defense that will come up big and protect that lead. If players like John Abraham, Sean Weatherspoon and Dunta Robinson can make big plays and the rest of the defense does their part, the Falcons will again have a better shot at defeating the Saints. They need to pressure Drew Brees and force an interception or two to slow down the Saints' fast-paced passing attack. They also hope to have Asante Samuel playing, his hurt shoulder has slowed him down for a few weeks now, but he will be key in protecting some of the Saints' top wide receivers.
With a win tonight, and a Buccaneers' loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday, the Falcons would win the division. Maybe then the critics would realize the Falcons are for real, and could possibly contend for the Super Bowl title in February. Before thoughts of the Super Bowl come up though, the Falcons need to "Rise Up" tonight and beat the Saints.

The Falcons' Asante Samuel (22) deflects the ball on the final play of the Falcons' win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. The Falcons hope Samuels' shoulder will feel better for tonight's big game against the New Orleans Saints.
Photo Courtesy of yahoo.com