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.
You obviously have not watched the games if you think Ryan has looked "average". He has looked much better than average. I think that is just the Saint fan coming out in you.
As far as the game the two areas that could be the deciding factor of the game is our pass rush and our secondary. You obviously do not watch the Falcons Cowboys game to say we "do not have the personnel to rush the passer like the Dolphins". We had 2 sacks on Romo and almost had a couple more. I know in the highlights they showed the one on the TD pass to Crayton. We have a pretty good pass rush, but a pretty good pass rush is different when you are playing Brees cause he gets the ball out faster than the average QB.
If our pass rush cannot be effective and our corners already as weak as they are then this game could get out of hand real fast. I don't expect the Saints to have a great day against the Falcons defensively, but i would be surprised if the offense didnt put up at least 28pts.
I think the Saints take this one. Seems like yall are hitting on all cylinders and the Dome is going to be ridiculous (I'll be there) so i think yall will end up taking this one.
31-24 Saints