Birdseed: October 31, 2009
Happy Halloween, Falcons Fans.
I’ll open with a horror story.
In recent history, the Saints in the Superdome have been the Lucy to the Falcons’ Charlie Brown. The football is there to be kicked — the game is there to win — but it’s pulled away at the last minute.
The Falcons haven’t won in New Orleans since 2002 and, excluding a win over the Saints in San Antonio after Hurricane Katrina, have lost those five games by an average margin of less than 10 points.
Now for the treat.
Difficulties on the road are part of this great NFL rivalry, but overall the Falcons have won more road games against the Saints than they’ve lost. In fact, Atlanta holds a 44-35 advantage in the series that, at least this season, appears to be an early battle for the NFC South title.
A win on Monday Night Football would certainly be the sweetest candy but it’s going to take some creative trickery to get past the 6-0 Saints.
Keeping with the “Peanuts” theme, let’s draw some inspiration from Snoopy.
He’s the beagle we all love.
And he’s the beagle that’s always trying to be something he’s not.
But with a little imagination — and a red scarf — Snoopy could turn his doghouse into a Sopwith Camel. And with a little creativity — and focus — the Falcons can defeat the New Orleans Saints.
What mask will the Birds wear Monday night?
Showdown set with NFL’s top offense, AF.com
No one ever said this game was going to be easy. Click here for more coverage from AF.com as we get closer to kickoff.
“Who Dat Ded?,” The Canvas, By Superfan
I’m really starting to love the work coming from Superfan these days. Special thanks to the contest winner who provided the inspiration this week.
NFC rankings: Falcons drop, Vikings hold, Saints (duh), Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Good to see an actual separation between the Rams and Bucs at No. 15 and 16. But I did like putting them at a tie for last place.
Mughelli Practices, Snelling Doesn’t, The Beat Blog
Injuries are numerous, but I wouldn’t say they’re piling up. For more injury updates, visit the Piedmont Healthcare Injury Report.
Saints’ Brees outworks, outplays, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As a fan of football, I’m happy for Drew Brees. It’s good to see success, especially on a second stop in a career. As a fan of the Falcons… Not so much.
Is it time for the Atlanta Falcons to hit the panic button?, Examiner.com
The cover is still closed and locked on said panic button, if there even is one in Flowery Branch.
Falcons’ Ryan trying to shake sophomore slump, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’ve seen a lot of veteran quarterbacks put a couple of rough games together. What do you call it then when you can’t call it a “sophomore slump?”
Final Word: NFC South, ESPN.com
“I’m real interested to see how flexible Atlanta coach Mike Smith and offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey are. The Falcons are supposed to be a run-first team and that worked out just great last year.”
New Orleans Saints-Atlanta Falcons, what they’re saying, The Times-Picayune
A run down of Falcons-Saints stories from the New Orleans paper of record.
Sharper, opportunistic defence(sic) create worries for Atlanta Falcons, The Canadian Press
I’ll admit, when Darren Sharper signed with the Saints, I got a little worried. He’s one of the best safeties I’ve ever seen in person.
Saints/Falcons rivalry deserves more national respect, The Daily Comet
Was it the Daily Comet or Daily Planet in Superman? I can’t remember.
Stecker predicts ‘crazy’ scene for Falcons-Saints, The Associated Press
Interested to see how much playing time newly-signed (and former Saint) running back Aaron Stecker gets Monday night. Most of that depends on how banged up the Falcons backfield is.
Talking Saints With Canal Street Chronicles, The Falcoholic
When these two bloggers get together, one post just isn’t enough: Part One | Part Two
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As The Saying Goes “On Any Given Sunday”..That’s About All We Can Hope For..That Some How The Falcons Can Get Pressure On The QB..Create Some Key
Turnovers And Sustain Some Clock Eating Drives..
The RECORD Indicates That The Saints Have Beaten 4 Winning Teams With A
Combined Record Of 17-9..Beat Two Losing Teams With A Record Of 5-8 For A Combined W/L Record Of 22-17..The Falcons Have Beaten 4 Teams With LOSING Records And LOST To 2 Teams With Wining Records!! What Does This Mean??
It Means We LOSE To N.O. On Monday Night Football By 5 Touchdowns UNLESS
“On Any Given Game Day”!!
Hey JMike, they may just call them a standard slump after year two. I don’t know.
Also, it was the Daily Planet in Superman.
Thank you! That was driving me nuts (I know I could look it up, but better to see if anyone actually pays attention to me).
No one, no team is unbeatable. No one and no team is incapable of winning a given game.
The Falcs have issues but players can rise above themselves and in certain cases, even a lack of coaching, to win critical games.
This will be a Falcon Monday Night in the Big Easy.
yeah monday i’ll be finally wearing my Lucky White # 02 falcons replica jersey……… GO FALCONS!!!!!
man we need douglas back. i know i keep sayin its true. YOU HAVE tO tAKE CHANCES ON 4tH DOWN AGAINSt tHE SAINtS. I WILL FLIP OUt IF I SEE MIKE PUNt It AWAY AN LOSE tHIS GAME. i guarantee u will not get a hate letter for goin for it even if u dont make it.
i think the falcons need a Monday Miracle, against the saints. ……. GO FALCONS!!!!
With all these ‘questionable’ injuries……..even ‘miracle’ fades away……shame! our key players will not make it to the MOST crucial game at this juncture of the season!!
im not sure But who was our #10 player we had i dont know his name?? , and why dont we have a #10 today?
I am sorry to say, I am losing heart concerning our chances Monday night. If we do not have Snelling, Norwood, Abraham, along with losing another DT. Our chances become SLIM AND NONE to win. This season may be lost because of a bite by the notorious injury bug! There’s always next year. Broken hearted, I am.
@Brian W. Lifelong Falcons Fan
hey now Snelling, norwood,and abraham are all most likely to play tomorrow, plus we added that stecker kid have some faith my fellow Life long Falcons Fan, if you think negative than negativity is what you will get. who knows we might shock the superdome tomorrow night and pull the upset. the ravens did it to the broncos today?? think positive.