Smith considering changes as Falcons chase Saints (2 Viewers)

[Buickman]

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -The Atlanta Falcons are facing their biggest test of the season as they hope to get back in the NFC South race.
The Falcons couldn't stop quarterback Tony Romo in Sunday's 37-21 loss at Dallas, and suddenly they're in danger of getting left behind in their division.
Coach Mike Smith says he plans to use the extra time to consider possible personnel changes this week. The Falcons have an extra day this week to prepare for a critical NFC South game at New Orleans next Monday night.
The loss left Atlanta (4-2) two games behind the undefeated Saints. The Falcons can't afford to have the deficit grow.
"If we've got any chance of winning the division, I think the guys in the locker room know this is a big game for us," running back Michael Turner said on Monday. "We don't want to fall three games behind. In the NFL it's tough to catch up once you fall that many games behind and they have a win on you already. We've got to do whatever it takes to pull off this win on Monday."

http://www.fanhouse.com/news/main/s...s/737722?icid=sphere_newsaol_inpage_fanhouse2

I didn't see this posted.

 

[big_rubes]

This game will not be a blowout. I think we are a better team than the Falcons but they know they have to "win" this game in order to get back into not oly the division race but the playoff race, so this game won't be as easy as people think. Plus its our divison foe. No matter what the records are it should be a difficult game ( that prob will be the case for most games, not the two Bucs games)

 

[perret318]

Make no mistake about it. This will be a hard-fought game on both sides. I'm confident the Saints will come out on top, but the Falcons will most definitely not be a push-over.

I have a feeling GW has been saving some special defensive packages especially for this game.

 

[St. Greatness]

I think it will be a blow out. Drew Brees>>>>>>>>>Tony Romo.

 

[truck man]

i see this game being a matchup nightmare for the Falcons. Ryan has looked average this year and with the way our secondary is playing and the way we stop the run, we will render the Falcons one dimensional and feast on Ryan's mistakes. also the Falcons D hasn't played well this year except against the 49ers, Dolphins and Bears, all teams who only rely on the run. when the Falcons have played teams who are multi dimensional and that have attacked their secondary, they have struggled mightly. i think this will be another banner week for Brees. the Falcons just do not have the personnel to rush the passer like the dolphins and with extra time Brees will likely stake us to a large lead, rendering the run game null in void and making Ryan beat us. which i'm still not sure he can do.

 

[bergeaux]

I'm not expecting a blowout. The Falcons always play hard against the Saints. I do expect a win at home though... We need this win to put the Falcons in the rearview mirror for the division.

 

[pauldoty]

unfortunately, we don't 'need' a win-it would be good-but atlanta DEFINITELY 'needs' to win, and that emotional lift can be quite influential in allowing them to play beyond their ability. and they are better than miami.
'

 

[saintlad]

It's Atlanta, the Dirty turds

It's going to be hard fought. It's a division game. Bad blood between both teams.


I'm worried about the dirty birds for two reason. Taking cheap shots and stupid refs


Their team will be down, they are facing being 3 games behind. They will take extra shots on Brees, Colston, Vilma.

I can see a Falcon defensive guy accidently going after knees. They are just scumbags and I can see that happening.

 

[King Mello]

it'll possibly be a hard fought game defensively for us but that Falcons secondary doesnt stand an ounce of a chance against this offense.. if we jump out early it could get ugly

 

[meily]

Its going to be a good game because its the Saints vs Falcons...but its at home on Monday Night....expct a big play from Reggie and expect a final score of 35-17.

 

[muzzy]

...the Falcons just do not have the personnel to rush the passer like the dolphins...

Don't know about this. John Abraham had 17 sacks last year. He's tapered off with only three sacks so far this year, but he's still extremely dangerous.

Still think we'll win, though. Reading the Falcons' message boards, it looks like Falcon fans HATE their secondary, especially DB C.C. Bro...uh, I mean Brent Grimes.

 

[grimacing_lummox]

unfortunately, we don't 'need' a win-it would be good-but atlanta DEFINITELY 'needs' to win, and that emotional lift can be quite influential in allowing them to play beyond their ability. and they are better than miami.
'

I respectfully disagree. Miami was better than their record indicated, with exception to the rank of their stout defense.

There is little doubt that it will be a close game, but Atlanta is a pretty middle-of-the-road team this year in the NFL. If you look at the quality of their opponents, with Miami, and New England as exceptions, they really haven't done much at all this year.

They do get a lot of attention from the media when they string some wins together though.

All of a sudden, I am supposed to fear Matty-Ice, because he looks good against bad teams?? Meh!

I say we pull this one out in a squeaker!

 

[CajunSaint]

This game will not be a blowout. I think we are a better team than the Falcons but they know they have to "win" this game in order to get back into not oly the division race but the playoff race, so this game won't be as easy as people think. Plus its our divison foe. No matter what the records are it should be a difficult game ( that prob will be the case for most games, not the two Bucs games)

Pfft...here comes the first 50 burger. BANK on it!

 

[Cerebrad]

I think we'll kill them, and baring a major injury, it will never be close. They have a weak secondary and are an edge rush team. Unless they suddenly find a way to get great pressure up the middle, Drew will have time, we'll get a good lead on them, and then Williams will let 'em rip.

Not Homerism -- this is a challenging division opponent -- but they just do not have the type of personnel that has traditionally slowed us down in the past.

 

[Ti Rider]

I'm hoping for some of Payton's patented "new wrinkles" for this game that the Falcons have no answer for (like using the FB against Dallas a few years ago). While Smith might change things up I expect the Saints to throw something at them they've never seen - could this be the game where Payton unleashes the wildcat or a gameplan around Shockey? Could be. Gregg Williams will have his guys ready too. I hope they come out at full throttle and never look back......