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(Monday) Night Football, Week 8
This week, it's the Saints and the Falcons.
Quick Take
Saints, Falcons meet in pivotal NFC South clash
In Brief
Last meeting: Drew Brees passed for 230 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Saints past the Falcons, 29-25, in Week 14 last season.
Streaks: The Saints have won five of the past six meetings, but trail the overall series, 45-35, including the playoffs.
Last week: New Orleans overcame a 21-point deficit in the first half and defeated Miami, 46-34. ... Atlanta suffered a 37-21 loss in Dallas.
Keep your eye on ...
Marques Colston establishing himself as a No. 1 receiver: Brees loves to spread the ball around for the Saints, but Colston has re-emerged as his favorite target after an injury-riddled 2008 campaign. Colston is among the league leaders in yards per catch, touchdowns and 20-plus yard receptions and will provide the Falcons' ailing secondary a stiff test.
Darren Sharper's big-play ability: Sharper has not only provided the Saints with a veteran presence on defense, but he gives the secondary a playmaker that is a threat to score any time he picks off a pass. He will likely try to bait a suddenly errant Matt Ryan, who has thrown five interceptions in his past three games, into a mistake.
Atlanta's offensive versatility: While the Falcons boast some of the league's elite offensive talent, the team has struggled to develop that extra option to take some pressure off Ryan, Michael Turner, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez. Last year, backup RB Jerious Norwood provided a spark, but he has struggled with injuries this season. Atlanta needs Michael Jenkins, Brian Finneran or Jason Snelling to emerge as a seondary weapon.
Did you know?
When Michael Turner has at least 19 carries, his teams are 14-1. ... John Abraham has 6.5 sacks in eight Monday night games. ... The Saints are the first team in history to score 45-plus points in four of their first six games. ... Since joining New Orleans, Brees has beaten Atlanta five out of six times.
THE RULES
Make a final score prediction in the comments. The pick must be unique, so check previous posts before you place yours. Entries must be submitted no later than 5:00 PM Pacific Time (8:00 PM Eastern) on game day to count.
The winner is the person whose final score is closest to the actual score of the game, with the correct winning team. Winners will receive three leader board points.
Mathematical ties are possible, so ties on scores get all players involved in the tie two leader board points.
Runners up who select the correct winning team will each receive one leader board point.
THE LEADERBOARD
Anatole 15
kikitink 7
coolman156 2
klurejr 2
Should be a great game tomorrow. The Saints...have been unreal.
(What do the two guys pictured above have in common? They're both former Chargers. Not that I don't like Philip Rivers and LaDainian Tomlinson, but it sure would have been nice to get something in return for Drew Brees and Michael Turner.)
Good luck!
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