Falcons at Saints: 3 key matchups
ew season, bigger beard. Falcons offensive lineman Sam Baker has let his beard grow out, sporting some additional length on his chin. Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com
Three key matchups
Saints DE Will Smith vs. Falcons LT Sam Baker: Baker has been called for four holding penalties, but the Falcons think his issue may be related to the new placement of the umpire. Baker will have to get his hands on Will Smith and keep him from collapsing the pocket as he did last season in New Orleans. Smith had two sacks in that game. He was a disruptive force. Baker and the Falcons were able to contain Smith in the second matchup last season.
Saints S Malcolm Jenkins vs. Falcons QB Matt Ryan: Jenkins is in his first season as a full-time starter and is trying to replace the injured Darren Sharper. Jenkins is a converted cornerback and has one fumble recovery. The 49ers were able to hit some deep passes over the top of the defense Monday night. Ryan has won six of his past nine NFC South starts. He passed for three touchdowns and had a 117.3 quarterback rating last weekend. The Falcons are 10-0 when Ryan has a quarterback rating of more than 100.
Saints RB Pierre Thomas vs. Falcons MLB Curtis Lofton: With Reggie Bush out, the Saints likely will give his carries to the hard-running Thomas. They signed Ladell Betts for depth. Thomas averages only 3.2 yards per carry, but leads the team with 11 receptions. Thomas hopes to have his third game in a row at home against the Falcons with a touchdown rushing and receiving. In the past two games in New Orleans, he has 209 total yards and four touchdowns. Lofton respects Thomas’ style of play and knows he’ll have to account for him in the run game. “I don’t think anybody overlooks him,” Lofton said. “He’s a great back. We’re going to have to bring our pads.”
History lesson
- Saints coach Sean Payton is 7-1 against the Falcons.
- This is the 82nd regular-season meeting. The Falcons lead the series 44-37.
- The Saints own a 17-16 advantage at the Superdome.
- This is one of the NFL’s best and most underrated rivalries. With the teams entering the league a season apart in the late 1960s, don’t think the Falcons are not upset that the Saints won a Super Bowl trophy first.
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108 comments Add your comment
Falcon Jim
September 25th, 2010
12:28 am
Good-night guys. Only 36 & 1/2 hours to go. CAN’T WAIT!
irony
September 25th, 2010
3:54 am
i find it so ironic so many falcon fans use “aints” after the saints won the superbowl. or maybe it’s ‘moronic’? this is from the same team that worshipped a rb disguised as a qb for so many years and turns out is a felon, covered his azz cuz they wanted to win so badly. where are those vick jerseys now? yeah, i guess that’s what we’d expect of people from atlanta.
it’s like the rams talking smack. … really? r u kidding?
hiramsaint
September 25th, 2010
8:01 am
go back to florida you yankee s.o. b.
Keith
September 25th, 2010
10:32 am
I believe this is the perfect time to catch the Saints at their house.
I also fully believe that the Falcons need to win here in order to go from a good team to a great team this year. Imagine the confidence boost to get the BIG WIN on the road.
Keith
September 25th, 2010
10:34 am
Re: Irony
You have to realize that some posters on here just like to talk smack….that’s all it is, really. Sounds like you’re personally offended or something. But making general statements against the “people from ATL” is even more boneheaded and ignorant that those fans that talk smack with the “aints.”
The Saints are definitely still the team to beat in the NFC South. But your comments are out of line.
Mr.Michael says...
September 25th, 2010
11:40 am
So lemme get this straight, the Saints are starting a rookie cb fresh out of college and that isn’t a key match-up? What offensive coordinator in the pass happy NFC South wouldn’t look at that poor kid and starting writing his professional obit??? The same could be said for Dunta’s first foray in the league; his first opponent was Drew Brees, and the Breese won.
hiramsaint
September 25th, 2010
3:21 pm
p.robinson is a step above d.robinson
Hamp
September 26th, 2010
2:01 am
Hamp
September 26th, 2010
1:59 am
All I know is that I get Married On 02OCT10 and I need for the Falcons to beat the saints this week I got two saints fans coming over and no bachelor party could top a win!!
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