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Some Guy
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An old man actually once said to me “the chances of the Falcons winning the Superbowl are about as good as seeing a white Christmas in Georgia” and since the snow is in the books, I can't help but wonder.
Soaring Falcons have edge on Saints in key areas
]Even if they lose Monday night's game against the Saints, the Falcons could secure home-field advantage in the NFC with a home win over 2-13 Carolina in Week 17. That would put Atlanta in the same position New Orleans held at end of last season—NFC South champion, No. 1 seed and favorite to get to the Super Bowl.
Only two games separate the teams in the standings, but the reality is the 12-2 Falcons are consistently showing the strengths that are associated with a championship team. Here are three reasons—beyond being an unbeaten force inside the Georgia Dome—the Falcons are a better team than the Saints heading into the postseason:
Only two games separate the Falcons and Saints, but Vinnie Iyer says three areas point out a larger disparity between the two teams' seasons.
The running game. Unlike last season, the Falcons have been able to rely on a healthy Michael Turner to carry the load—and his contributions have increased down the stretch. The Saints, meanwhile, have struggled to keep their backs healthy, causing much lineup shuffling. Before Week 16, the Falcons ranked seventh in rushing and the Saints ranked 26th.
Atlanta's ability to establish Turner will be a big concern for New Orleans (ranked 19th against the run before Week 16)—and playoff opponents who visit the dome.
"He protects himself very well, and that has been a big plus to his durability with how he runs," Saints coach Sean Payton said. "He has a great center of gravity, he has good vision and good balance. All of those qualities make him a special running back.”
The turnover battle. The Falcons have excelled at protecting the ball and forcing takeaways with a plus-13 turnover differential. The Saints, who are typically outstanding in this category, are down at minus-5. Drew Brees has already thrown a career-high 19 interceptions while Atlanta's defense has produced 19 interceptions.
"Drew still has been pretty accurate, but what you see is maybe some impatience in him trying to make big plays," FOX and NFL Network analyst Charles Davis said.
It's important for the Falcons' best cornerbacks, Dunta Robinson and Brent Grimes, to be physical against the Saints' receivers and go after the ball aggressively.
The right side of the O-line. Last year, it was clear the Saints had the best offensive line in the division with three players making the Pro Bowl—center Jonathan Goodwin, right guard Jahri Evans and right tackle Jon Stinchcomb.
This year, the Falcons are outplaying them as a group at the same three positions with Todd McClure, Harvey Dahl and Tyson Clabo. In what figures to be a physical, intense division rivalry game, Atlanta's slight edge in the trenches might make the difference in a close one.
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