Sports - New Orleans Saints

Sunday, Nov. 01, 2009

MONDAY NIGHT SHOWDOWN

The Saints put their unbeaten record on line against the hated Falcons

Drew Brees does not shy away from the stakes of the New Orleans Saints’ home game tonight against their hated NFC South rival, the Atlanta Falcons.

Win this game, on “Monday Night Football,” no less, and they’re clearly in control of the division race, they remain the NFC’s only unbeaten team and they match the best start in franchise history.

Lose, and, well, the NFC South race tightens considerably.

“There is no bigger game this season, as of yet, than ‘Monday Night Football’ against the Atlanta Falcons,” Brees said. “In the Dome, our first divisional game, all of things. The game couldn’t be any bigger.

“If you win, you’re up three (games in the NFC South). If you lose, you’re only up one. That’s a big swing.”

Brees engineered the Saints’ impressive comeback last week in Miami, rallying his team from a three-touchdown deficit to a 46-34 victory over the Dolphins. That left the Saints unbeaten in six games, and extended their NFC South lead over Atlanta to two games. The Falcons (4-2) were beaten in their last game, losing 37-21 to the Dallas Cowboys.

“We’re getting their best, game, without a doubt,” Brees said. “They’re a very good football team. We traded shots with them last year, home and home, and the fact is, I think, that they are a team that has really started to build something. They play with a lot of confidence.”

The Saints lost veteran fullback Heath Evans to a torn ACL in the Miami game and will be without their first-round draft choice in 2008, defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis, who also injured a knee.

The Saints signed fullback Kyle Eckel to fill the void created by Evans’ absence, but running back Lynell Hamilton and tight end David Thomas could also be used as a blocking back.

“That’s tough. Heath was not only a real productive player, but an awesome locker room guy,” Brees said. “Heath just had a real good influence on everybody. So you miss him for a lot of reasons.”

Saints coach Sean Payton is optimistic linebacker Scott Fujita can return from a leg injury, but he’s “somewhat guarded” on Ellis’ progress.

“The thing we felt like with (Evans’) signing was his ability to help us in the run game,” Payton said. “He’s someone that locates his marks very well. We’re going to have to fill in with these other guys.”

The Falcons finished 11-5 last season and reached the playoffs in Mike Smith’s first season as the Atlanta coach. They have one of the NFL’s promising young quarterbacks in former Boston College star Matt Ryan. The Falcons have shown prowess rushing the passer and might test the Saints’ left tackle, Jermon Bushrod, who has struggled of late.

“(Ryan) is accurate and smart. I know he’s got very good feet and real good arm strength,” Payton said. “He’s one of those guys who grasps what they’re doing pretty quickly.”

The Saints are playing the Falcons in “Monday Night Football” for the first time since their 23-3 victory over Atlanta in 2006, which marked the first game played in the Louisiana Superdome after Hurricane Katrina.

“We’re getting used to playing in these types of games,” Payton said. “We certainly expect it to be as loud as we’ve had in there. I thought the last game against the Giants was magnificent (the Saints won 48-27 on Oct. 18). I think it will be a great atmosphere to play in, and an edge.”

The Saints are 10.5-point favorites.