Saints hope to inflict more damage on Falcons, riddled with wounds



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I may be sorry for these words, but the New Orleans Saints seem to be catching the vulnerable Atlanta Falcons at a good time, even though Sunday's game between these former Southern rivals is at the Mercedes-Benz stadium.

The Black and Gold opened as favorites at 3 1/2-points and is now at 3, which is not surprising since these games are in the final seconds.

In the field, the Falcons (1-1) are less numerous than Sunday. Four of the top starters are temporarily out of play or lost for the season due to injuries sustained in their first two games – RB Devonta Freeman, SS Keanu Neal, MLB Jones Deion, LG Andy Levitre.

And the loyal Pro Bowl receiver, Julio Jones, has to deal with a gluteal, which could be advantageous for the Saints cornerback, Marshon Lattimore, who will probably draw a single cover against JJ. Defensive end Takk McKinley (groin) is also hampered.

That said, the Falcons are still viable in attack with quarterback Matt Ryan, substitute RB Tevin Coleman, rookie WR Calvin Ridley, WR Mohamed Sanu and TE Austin Hooper, although they remain an enigma in the red zone.
In an 18-12 season loss to Philadelphia, the Falcons were 1 of 5 inside the Eagles 20. In the 31-24 home victory last Sunday against Carolina, the Falcons were 4 out of 4, Ryan representing the four TDs. two of them at his feet.

Does a match mean that they have solved their red zone problems under the command of Steve Sarkisian, in sophomore? Not in my opinion, but Sarkisian may be more inclined to think outside the box and not rely solely on throwing jumpball passes to Jones in a back corner.

The advantage comes when the saints have the ball.

Quarterback Drew Brees's stats across two games are off the charts: 81.3 percentage completion, five TD passes, zero INT, 123.3. Now, he was stuck in three quarters against Cleveland last week but he helped produce 18 points in the fourth quarter when he scored the most in a 21-18 win.

Check out these numbers: Receiver Michael Thomas is leading the NFL with 28 catches (the most over the first two games in the history of the NFL) in 30 targets and three touchdowns.

In other words, Falcons' backs and linebackers are going to have their hands full unless they can get a breakout pass from Brees led by Vic Beasley.

And I would not bet on that.
I see Brees & Company set up a minimum of four TDs against a weakened Falcons defense.

In other words, take the saints and minus-3.

But you did not hear it.

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