The headline says it all. Tonight's contest between the top two teams in the NFC South has all the makings of the best Monday Night Football game of the season. Two top-notch quarterbacks, two high-flying offenses, and quite alot at stake should make this a terrific game. If the Falcons win, they clinch the NFC's top seed, and a coveted first-round bye. The Saints, on the other hand, remain solidly in the playoff picture, but need a victory to avoid a season sweep by their rival. On that note, a loss backs New Orleans up against a wall-depending on how league play shakes out, they would need to win their season finale against the competitive Bucaneers, a team that's also fighting for their playoff lives.
A key number in this game:19-1. That's Matt Ryan's record at home as a starter, and that gives him a significant advantage tonight. That also works against the Saints, who struggled on the road last week against the Ravens' vaunted rushing attack. When it comes to that department, Atlanta also has the edge, as they rush for an average of nearly 123 yards per game, eighth-best in the league. If RB Michael Turner gets at least 25 carries and a score (as he has in two of Atlanta's past three games, both wins), I predict a Falcons victory.
On the other hand, if both teams rev up their respective aerial attacks, the points will fly. In that type of a contest, I think the defending Super Bowl champs have the edge-they know how to pull out close victories, as they've shown in games against Dallas and Cincinnati this year. Any comments or thoughts on the game? Feel free to post below, and read Beau Knows later this week for a complete look at the upcoming Michigan State-Alabama Capital One Bowl.
--Beau
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