KIDWCKED
12-27-2010, 05:48 PM
c/p from espn
Saints-Falcons Preview
STATS LLC
After going a month without playing at the Georgia Dome, the Atlanta Falcons are one win away from not having to leave home again until a potential trip to the Super Bowl.
It has been more than a year since their last loss at home, when the New Orleans Saints took advantage of a banged-up Atlanta team.
The surging Falcons look to clinch their first division title in six years and secure home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs Monday night when they host the Saints, who are one win away from a postseason berth.
Playoff-bound Atlanta (12-2) has a two-game lead over New Orleans (10-4) in the NFC South, needing either a victory this week or a home win over lowly Carolina next Sunday to clinch the No. 1 overall seed.
"We try not to concern ourselves with what the outcome really means down the road," coach Mike Smith said. "We know where we're at, we like where we're at."
The Saints' chances of winning the division are far more bleak. They need to win this game, beat Tampa Bay in their regular-season finale and have the Panthers upset Atlanta. To earn a wild-card berth, however, New Orleans needs to win just one of its last two games or have the Buccaneers lose once.
"The next two games are very big. They don't get any bigger," Drew Brees said. "We control our own destiny, and we have a lot to play for. It's too early to look at the playoff picture right now, but if we are a wild-card team, the road to the Super Bowl will be on the road."
It also could go through Atlanta, where the Falcons are averaging 28.2 points in their six wins this season.
While Atlanta is the NFC's only undefeated team at home, it also has proved it can win on the road. The Falcons have won eight in a row overall and the last three have come away from home, including last Sunday's 34-18 victory over Seattle.
Atlanta now plays in front of its home fans for the first time since beating Green Bay on Nov. 28 with the chance to win its first South title since 2004.
"It is going to be a great atmosphere in the Dome," said Ryan, who had three touchdowns and an interception last weekend. "I think everybody is looking forward to it."
Not only are the Falcons eager to return home, they're looking to exact some revenge from the last team to beat them there.
Saints-Falcons Preview
STATS LLC
After going a month without playing at the Georgia Dome, the Atlanta Falcons are one win away from not having to leave home again until a potential trip to the Super Bowl.
It has been more than a year since their last loss at home, when the New Orleans Saints took advantage of a banged-up Atlanta team.
The surging Falcons look to clinch their first division title in six years and secure home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs Monday night when they host the Saints, who are one win away from a postseason berth.
Playoff-bound Atlanta (12-2) has a two-game lead over New Orleans (10-4) in the NFC South, needing either a victory this week or a home win over lowly Carolina next Sunday to clinch the No. 1 overall seed.
"We try not to concern ourselves with what the outcome really means down the road," coach Mike Smith said. "We know where we're at, we like where we're at."
The Saints' chances of winning the division are far more bleak. They need to win this game, beat Tampa Bay in their regular-season finale and have the Panthers upset Atlanta. To earn a wild-card berth, however, New Orleans needs to win just one of its last two games or have the Buccaneers lose once.
"The next two games are very big. They don't get any bigger," Drew Brees said. "We control our own destiny, and we have a lot to play for. It's too early to look at the playoff picture right now, but if we are a wild-card team, the road to the Super Bowl will be on the road."
It also could go through Atlanta, where the Falcons are averaging 28.2 points in their six wins this season.
While Atlanta is the NFC's only undefeated team at home, it also has proved it can win on the road. The Falcons have won eight in a row overall and the last three have come away from home, including last Sunday's 34-18 victory over Seattle.
Atlanta now plays in front of its home fans for the first time since beating Green Bay on Nov. 28 with the chance to win its first South title since 2004.
"It is going to be a great atmosphere in the Dome," said Ryan, who had three touchdowns and an interception last weekend. "I think everybody is looking forward to it."
Not only are the Falcons eager to return home, they're looking to exact some revenge from the last team to beat them there.