By Bob Rose | SI
The New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons renew one of the NFL's most bitter rivalries this Sunday in the Superdome. New Orleans enters the contest with a 7-2 record and winners of their last six, most recently a 27-13 victory at home over the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday. The team's defense has played at an elite level in the previous two games and ranks 4th in the league in total yardage, allowing 308 yards per game and less than 300 in four of their last six outings.
Their defense and special teams have forced 13 turnovers this season, including 7 in the last two games. The Saints rank 22nd in 3rd down defense (44.6%), 29th in red-zone percentage (75%), and have allowed an average of 23.7 points per game, surrendering 24 or less in all four contests after their bye.
Atlanta is coming off a bye week and enters the game with a 3-6 record, but is 3-1 since replacing head coach Dan Quinn with Raheem Morris in October. The Falcons have one of the league's most explosive offenses. They rank 5th in total yardage with an average of 397 yards per game but an average of 27 points per outing. Atlanta has converted 43.4% of their 3rd down chances, ranking 12th in the league, but their 52.7% red zone percentage ranks just 27th. They've turned the ball over 8 times, including once in each of the last five games.
Here's how the New Orleans defense matches up against the offense of their rivals from Atlanta.
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