LIVE from New Orleans, as Falcons go for the upset
If John Abraham is doing this to Drew Brees, the Falcons have a chance against New Orleans. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
NEW ORLEANS –Good morning. I’m looking forward to actually watching some football today since I really didn’t see any last night in Starkville.
The good news for the Falcons is that no matter what happens in today’s game against the New Orleans Saints — and I do believe they have a legitimate chance to win — they will be fine this season. That’s not the case at Georgia, which not only lost last night at Mississippi State but had yet another player — freshman linebacker Demetre Baker — arrested this morning for underage possession of alcohol and DUI. That makes 10 arrests for the Bulldogs since the spring to pair with a 0-3 record in the SEC.
By comparison, the Falcons are Camelot.
There obviously were some good signs in last week’s 41-7 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. The Falcons ran the ball effectively, with Jason Snelling having a breakout game (three touchdowns) after Michael Turner left with a groin strain. Quarterback Matt Ryan also was sharp.
But the Saints are at another level. Ryan will face a stronger pass rush and play in a tougher environment in the Superdome than last week.
The biggest step up today must come from the defense. In the first two games, the Falcons faced a third-string quarterback in Pittsburgh (Dennis Dixon) and a last-resort starter against Arizona (Derek Anderson). Today, the opposing quarterback is the MVP of the Super Bowl, Drew Brees.
The New Orleans offense has not been as explosive as a year ago. The Saints have won their first two games by scores of 14-9 and 25-22. But Brees has completed 74.3 percent of his passes (55 of 74) for 491 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. It’s imperative the Falcons get pressure on him, and that starts with John Abraham.
The lone starters out for the Falcons are wide receiver Michael Jenkins and safety Erik Coleman.
That’s it for now. I’ll check back shortly. How do you feel about the Falcons’ chances today?
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2,596 comments Add your comment
OldFalcons
September 26th, 2010
4:37 pm
WHO DAT !!!!!!! KISS MY *&^^&**
hollywould
September 26th, 2010
4:37 pm
Hey Dan sleep well until that game comes.
FFL
September 26th, 2010
4:37 pm
WHAT DO FALCONS DO???? BEAT THE SAINTS!
WE DAT! RISE UP!!!
Once "Recent" Reader
September 26th, 2010
4:37 pm
Hey Cajun . . . .I totally agree on the tied for first . . but I think right now Atlanta would have the tie-breaker . . . .not sure if Tampa played against NFC South Team yet though. Maybe Carolina.
Billy bowlegs
September 26th, 2010
4:38 pm
The last place Nationals just kick the Braves #*& in 2 out of three games to kill Bobbys last ride. Man they fell fast.
dan
September 26th, 2010
4:38 pm
SCREW DAT!!!!!!
GO BIRDS
Dan Mullen
September 26th, 2010
4:38 pm
2 more weeks
Supes
September 26th, 2010
4:38 pm
Suck it Saints!!!
Just had to say it, after the abuse we got from Saints fans all of last season.
Payback’s a biatch! The Falcons are HERE to say this season in the NFC South…no free ride for you to the division title and playoffs.
Falcons Fan
September 26th, 2010
4:38 pm
Wasn’t really an upset. Saints are overated!
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
4:38 pm
How does BarBque Saint taste? I would like to try so St. Christopher ribs please.
Bring Back Reeves
September 26th, 2010
4:38 pm
whhhhooooooooooooo datttttttttttttttttttt????????
Cajun crap talker
September 26th, 2010
4:38 pm
Once — that’s right.
Sgt. Pepper
September 26th, 2010
4:39 pm
Take THAT Who Nation!! We beat you in your own home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dan Mullen
September 26th, 2010
4:39 pm
The Saints had the game won
whodat70816
September 26th, 2010
4:39 pm
Congrats Falcons…that was a great game. You guys are definitely a threat and Matty Ice is the real deal! What a game….WHO DAT!
sam
September 26th, 2010
4:39 pm
Oct 17th. At Philly vs Vick!!! WOW!! That’s going to be one interesting game
F Troop
September 26th, 2010
4:40 pm
Huge win! Absolutely huge! Now, anybody with football sense knows Snelling should start over Turner going forward, tho. Ryan DESPERATELY needs a $$$ 3rd receiver. It ain’t Douglas. Man! Did Matt want this game or what?
Sgt. Pepper
September 26th, 2010
4:40 pm
Hey HIRAM SAINT, Suck on THAT!!!!
Jimmy
September 26th, 2010
4:40 pm
The Falcons have the winning game plan for the Aints.
The only way to beat them is to keep the ball out of Brees hands.
Long drives…smash mouth football.
Don’t be so sure the Aints win in ATL
ryan
September 26th, 2010
4:40 pm
Dan Mullen get off of here Matt Ryan played in tough place and stunned that hostel crowd.
Cajun crap talker
September 26th, 2010
4:40 pm
I take my hat off to the Falcons. But hang on, it’s a long season. Y’all aint the super bowl yet. I know because I’ve been there . . .
Michelle
September 26th, 2010
4:40 pm
How about them FALCONS!!!! Way to go guys bring it back to GEORGIA!!!!!!!!!!
FALCONS!
September 26th, 2010
4:40 pm
Saints should have went for TD on their first possession in OT. They had 1st and goal.
Sgt. Pepper
September 26th, 2010
4:40 pm
Let’s Go Falcons! Right up the A@@ of NO!
FrontRow
September 26th, 2010
4:40 pm
The answer is: WE DAT!
Billy bowlegs
September 26th, 2010
4:40 pm
Saints will be looking for a kicker tomorrow………….
MikeSmith4Pez
September 26th, 2010
4:41 pm
WOW!!! Amazing game. WHO DAT? DAT’S JASON SNELLING ‘AINTS.
whodat70816
September 26th, 2010
4:41 pm
We’ll take Sgt. Pepper…there’s plenty of season left! You haven’t won the division just yet! However, you guys definitely have an excellent team. It was a great game!
Cajun crap talker
September 26th, 2010
4:41 pm
I like Matty. He’s gonna be a force.
Dan Mullen
September 26th, 2010
4:41 pm
about that time
JOHNNY B
September 26th, 2010
4:41 pm
dan mullen why don’t you go booo hooo on your own blog. Let’s see where your aints are in a few weeks then talk more smack.
I gave all props to the Saints last year for a great run and for winning it all. Still a great team but today the Falcons are better and in YOUR house.
Man up, take your whippin’, show some respect and go suck a crawdad head or something – GO BIRDS!!!
ln29576
September 26th, 2010
4:41 pm
Let me be one of the first Who Dat fans to say “Congratulations Falcons, great game. Go birds. but I still love my Saints
eddie willers
September 26th, 2010
4:42 pm
The teams seemed evenly matched, but the good news is that ours is on the way up and theirs is on the way down.
I like the way we look.
Falcons Fan
September 26th, 2010
4:42 pm
Now that y’all lost. Can you take yo a@@ back to Loseiana?
Sgt. Pepper
September 26th, 2010
4:42 pm
Suck on this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCbog0tVScQ
Mark Richt
September 26th, 2010
4:42 pm
Who dat? Who dat in first place? Hint: The Saints it ain’t!
Wow! Falcons dominated…just dominated…the line of scrimmage. What wins? Finesse, trick plays, etc. or power football? Power football, baby! Great game. Saints played good, Falcons played great. Upgraded defense looks good, but man, that o-line and running game looks like some old-school championship football. The Saints d-line is just glad the game is over and they don’t have to take that pounding anymore.
Give the game ball to the Saints head coach for calling time-out on a field goal his team blocked and giving ice-cold Bryant a second shot to drill it home! Great strategy. We love you, baby!
Great game, Falcons!
Dan Mullen
September 26th, 2010
4:42 pm
Thats matt ryan’s first win against the saints in 3 years
The Real Falcon
September 26th, 2010
4:42 pm
Saints 43 rushing yards
Big Ray
September 26th, 2010
4:42 pm
Cajun Crap Talker ,
Gotta give you credit. You’re the only one showing your “face” and taking the ribbing. Those other fools remain fools. Like you said, it ain’t the end of the season, but you have to admit….a charmed life ends sometimes (dang near ended last week against San Fran).
Better to lose now to a opponent who deserves the respect, than to do like the Patriots did – won all season long, then lost the SB…
dean
September 26th, 2010
4:42 pm
If Coach Smith keeps going for it on 4th downs, I’m sending him my cardiologist’s bill.
whodat70816
September 26th, 2010
4:42 pm
@billy…naw…Hartley is a good kicker…Although he did miss twice in game one an then this game winning FG…maybe SP will be looking. I hope not…I like our kicker.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
September 26th, 2010
4:42 pm
I be wrong bout everyting I eber be sayin about Matt Ryan. He be da man.I be dreamin bout him ebry nite. He make my tummy tickle.
I love you Matt.
FrontRow
September 26th, 2010
4:42 pm
Now Falcons – Saints 17-17 in NO; 44-39 overall. Split on the road, win at home.
WE OWN YOUR A$$!
Reed
September 26th, 2010
4:43 pm
Dawgs suck. Richt sucks. Ealey, Rambo, and Green suck.
MAMADAWG
September 26th, 2010
4:43 pm
5150 POAD (whatever) How do you like your crow???????????
26 yarder VS 46 yarder? WHO DAT????
Chucktown38
September 26th, 2010
4:43 pm
Ever wonder what happend to Jerry’s kids, well I guess they play special teams and call plays for the Falcons.I know we won THANK GOD but there is alot of work to be done.Our Wr’s still don’t scare anyone in the NFL and the O line can’t block for Suger Honey Iced Tea! You true Southerners will get that one.
SeenThisB4
September 26th, 2010
4:43 pm
I would like to apologize to everyone on this Atlanta blog. I never should have come talking smack that my team couldn’t back up. I’m am a pathetic loser and will now geaux back to cheating welfare, male prostitution, and robbing 7 -11’s.
hollywould
September 26th, 2010
4:43 pm
Dan as an Auburn fan thx for mississippi st.
George
September 26th, 2010
4:44 pm
Amazing game! Couldn’t have written a more dramatic script! Way to RISE UP Falcons!!!
Brian
September 26th, 2010
4:44 pm
who dat was said because the falcons hit em so hard they they could not tell which way is up.