J.Mike's Missives

My colleague Matt Moore (@FalconsMMoore) has a story about the Superdome he tells before big games in New Orleans.

He says the only time he’s been concerned about the structural integrity of a stadium due to crowd noise was the Saints first home game in 2006 — the return to the building after Hurricane Katrina.

New Orleans blocked a Michael Koenen punt in the first quarter and returned it for a touchdown. At that point, according to Matt, the dome teetered with cacophony.

The Falcons didn’t win the game. In fact, the team hasn’t won in the Superdome since 2002.

Tonight’s game between the Falcons and Saints doesn’t carry the same emotional weight as the 2006 matchup but, when it comes to the NFC South standings, the contest is monumental.

I don’t need to get into the details, except to say a Saints win creates a three-game lead in the division with nine games to play. In order to make up the ground the Falcons would likely have to get a win over the Saints at the Georgia Dome next month, hope for additional New Orleans losses and (of course) win as many of their own games as possible.

I can’t tell you exactly what the Falcons did this week to prepare for such a big game but I will say, in the NFL, it pays to treat games in two ways: home and away. Home games you’re supposed to win. Road games are tough. It’s an easy mental hurdle to understand and allows for proper focus on technical aspects of each game.

The Falcons know this one won’t be easy.

They know the Superdome will be loud, maybe as loud as Matt remembers it.

The Falcons also know it pays to win games when you’re charged with adrenaline. If not, winning the division could come down to simple — and unfavorable — math.

Complete Falcons-Saints Coverage from AF.com
Stats, video, game week coverage and more straight from Flowery Branch.

Falcons-Saints Game Center, NFL.com
The eyes of the nation and, more importantly, the NFL world, will be on the Falcons this evening. Plenty of eyes were on the Birds last week in Dallas, too. Let’s all hope for different results. In case you’re wondering, the NFL Network crew picks the Saints.

Falcons WR Finneran talks up rivalry with Saints, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
You’ll find few players in the locker room with the tenure of Brian Finneran. Perfect player to talk about the Falcons-Saints rivalry.

A Look Ahead: The Return, The Falcoholic
A brief, good breakdown of the remaining games.

Falcons-Saints as big as a matchup can get, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Superdome hasn’t been one of the most consistent places when it comes to hostile territories. That’s mostly because the Saints have had just as many down as up years. But right now, New Orleans has one of the best home-field advantages in football. They certainly have a fan following.

Sedrick Ellis out vs. Falcons, ProFootballTalk.com
You’re probably paying a lot of attention to the Saints offense. Nothing wrong with that. But injuries on the defense, which is emerging as one of the best in the league, could be big.

Falcons dazzled by Saints array of weapons, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There’s a fine line between “respect,” which is needed and “dazzle,” which is odd.

J. Michael Moore Birdseed, Gameday AF.com, AJC, Brian Finneran, Georgia Dome, Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana Superdome, Matt Moore, New Orleans Saints, NFC South, NFL.com, ProFootballTalk.com, Sedrick Ellis, The Falcoholic

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

J. Michael Moore Birdseed Aaron Stecker, AF.com, AJC, Charlie Brown, Darren Sharper, Drew Brees, ESPN.com, Examiner.com, Friday Pep Talk, Halloween, Head Coach Mike Smith, Hurricane Katrina, injury, Jason Snelling, Matt Ryan, Mike Mularkey, New Orleans Saints, NFC South, Ovie Mughelli, Peanuts, Snoopy, Superfan, The Associated Press, The Beat Blog, The Canadian Press, The Daily Comet, The Falcoholic, The Times-Picayune, video