The big question going into this game is if the Saints will have anything left in the tank after their emotional win over the Falcons on Monday night.

The Saints will look to run on the Panthers defense, which has allowed 152.0 yards rushing per game.  RBs Deuce McAllister (218 rushing yards) and Reggie Bush (125 yards rushing, 139 yards receiving) will be testing the Panthers Front 7 early.  If the Saints run well, look for Drew Brees to take some shots down the field for Marques Colston (15 rec, 204 yards), Joe Horn (10 rec, 160 yards) and Devery Henderson.

The Panthers offense looked good last week against the Bucs.  The Panthers will attempt to run a balanced offense against an aggressive Saints defense that is only allowing 266.7 yards per game.  DeShaun Foster will need to have a good game, his 3.4 average will not cut it this week.  The Panthers need to establish a running game to slow the Saints pass rush that already has 12 sacks this season.  Look for Delhomme to take some deep shots with Steve Smith (112 yards rec. last week) and Keyshawn Johnson (16 rec, 243 yards) over the middle.

This should be a great game that could go either way.

You could tell it was going to be the Saints night early on.  The Saints held the Falcons to a 3 and out on their first possession of the game.  Punter Michael Koenen then came out and the Saints blocked his punt and Curtis DeLoatch recovered it in the end zone for a TD.  That set the stage for the Saints to build a lead to take the Falcons out of their running game and make Michael Vick try to beat them with his arm.  Vick couldn’t do it.  The Saints gave up 117 yards rushing to the Falcons on 5.1 yards per carry.  The Falcons only completed 12 of 31 passes for 112 net yards passing.

Drew Brees had a good game, he completed 20 of 28 passes for 191 yards.  Deuce McAllister had 19 carries for 81 yards and caught 4 passes for 13 yards.  Reggie Bush had 13 carries for 53 yards and caught 4 passes for 19 yards.  Rookie WR Marques Colston caught 7 passes for 97 yards.  Joe Horn pitched in 3 catches for 47 yards.  Devery Henderson caught 2 passes for 15 yards and had 1 carry for 11 yards and a TD.

I think the Saints are for real!

Dallas Who? The Saints are America’s Team.

The TEAM and THE CITY of New Orleans are a true testimony to America. Throughout the last year, the people have endured and perservered like our founding fathers did. Our prayers are with all of you as you continue to heal. We hope that The Saints season will bring back laughter and joy to The Big Easy.  

May Touchdown Jesus get you into the end zone one more time than the Falcons on Monday night.

 Go Saints,

Fan in MEECHIGAN

 

Who would have thought this would be a battle for NFC South Supremecy?  Not me!

The Falcons will try to unleash their power running attack on the Saints and control the clock.  Warrick Dunn (266 rushing yards), Jerious Norwood (111 rushing yards) and QB Michael Vick (175 rushing yards) are setting the NFL on fire by averaging 279 yards rushing per game and 6.1 yards per carry!  The Saints’ defense has been very good against the run this season (74 yards per game, 3.5 yards per carry) so something will have to give here.  If Vick lulls the Saints pass defense to sleep, he might try taking a shot deep to WR Michael Jenkins (5 rec, 92 yards).

Look for the Saints to try to get a quick lead passing the ball.  If the Saints can do that, they can then pound the ball with RB Deuce McAllister and eat the clock.  Everyone is so focused on the Falcons that RB/WR Reggie Bush could sneak up on everyone and have his first break-out game.  Look for the Saints early in the game to use 3 and 4 receiver sets with Reggie Bush (15 rec, 120 yds), Marques Colston (8 rec, 107 yds), Joe Horn (7 rec, 113 yards) and Devery Henderson (6 rec, 95 yards).

I think the Saints will win this game for the city of New Orleans!  Atlanta will leave points on the field like they did last week and it will hurt them!

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The Saints showed strong character in coming back to win this football game after falling behind early.  The Saints opened up the offense and threw the ball down the field.  Drew Brees completed 26 of 41 passes (63.4%) for 353 yards with 2 TDs and an interception.  The running game wasn’t nearly as effective as it was in the first game of the year.  Deuce McAllister carried the ball 12 times for 47 yards (3.9 ypc) and 2 TDs, he also caught a pass for 24 yards.  Reggie Bush got stoned in the running game, carrying the ball 6 times for 5 yards (0.8 ypc).  Bush did catch 8 passes for 68 yards (8.5 avg).  Joe Horn caught 5 passes for 88 yards (17.6 avg).  Rookie WR Marques Colston caught 4 passes for 58 yards (14.5 avg) and a TD.  WR Devery Henderson caught 3 passes for 51 yards (17.0 avg) and a TD.

The Saints defense didn’t play near as well against the Packers as it did against the Browns.  The Saints did stuff the Packer running game, holding them to 63 yards (3.2 ypc).  The Packers completed 56.4% of their passes for 322 net yards thru the air.

This was a good win that showed this team has heart.

If the Saints want to really pound someone, you would think it would be a Packer team that laid a 52-3 beating on them last season.  The Saints look much improved this season.  Look for the Saints to attack the Packers defense with their two-headed running back that rolled up 150 yards rushing on the Browns last week.  The Packers linebackers will have their hands full with Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush.  After the Saints establish their running game, QB Drew Brees will attack with his short play-action passing attack.  Brees is a smart game manager at QB that doesn’t take too many chances or make many mistakes.

Even though the Saints defense looks improved, I have a feeling that the Packers will move the ball well against them.  Ahman Green should have a good game running against a Saints defense that lacks speed all over the field.  WR Donald Driver will be able to get downfield as long as the line gives Brett Favre time to find him.  If Favre has time, the Packers will put up points and critics will get off of his back for at least a week.

The Saints aren’t as good as they looked in week #1, and the Packers aren’t as bad as they looked either.  This should be a good football game.

Keith Joseph was placed on injured reserve today ending his season.

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The Saints signed fullback Corey McIntyre formerly of the Cleveland Browns today.  McIntyre is 6’0″, 246 pounds and has 15 games of NFL experience (1 start).  McIntyre is a good blocker and a good special teams player.  He will definately help the Saints.