Game #6 Open Thread: Saints v. Falcons

by Sunil @ Canal Street Chronicles on Oct 21, 2007 8:18 AM CDT in News

Saints (-8) vs. Falcons: 1PM EST, Louisiana Superdome, FOX

	Off. Ypg (Rank)	Off. PPG (rank)	Def. YPG (Rank)	Def. PPG (Rank)
Saints	319.2 (22)	15.8 (26)	346.8 (22)	27.2 (27)
Falcons	290.2 (27)	13.2 (29)	352.8 (24)	21.8 (17)

One reason for Saints fans to maintain hope is because the team hasn't totally lost esteem in the eyes of Vegas. Companies like the Las Vegas Sports Consultants use detailed methods of evaluation on each player, coaches' tendencies and several other factors, to come up with a hyperaccurate power rankings. While power rankings will be perpetually mocked for their worthlessness, these rankings are used to determine the spread for a particular matchup. This explains why some matchups appear to have a spread disparate from the common perception of the teams.

This season the Saints are 1-4 against the spread, their only win coming against Seattle, who was favored by 5.5 points. Yet the Saints continue to receive favored status, indicating that Vegas sees them as a powerful team, even if their record indicates otherwise.

All of this is a roundabout way of pointing out that the Saints are favored by eight points today. Which seems like a lot.

Lost in the controversy over Mike Holmgren's play card being shown on national TV is that the NBC crew showed Sean Payton's card about thirty seconds before Holmgren's. Yet no mentions are made of this. Just throwing that out there.
I would highly recommend SBN's Falcons blog The Falcoholic. Dave does an awesome job blogging about the Falcons over there.

Crumpler is doubtful, Horn is probable, as are Coleman and Babineaux. Meanwhile, for the Saints, Jason David has returned to practice but is clearly still out.

Believe it or not, the Falcons offense is actually more inept than the Saints. Their defense is same-level mediocre.

The Saints ... the Falcons ... the NFL is on Fox.

Tweet Comment 5 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Soothsayer

Pnts - 27

POG - Brees

Kick Return TD

by southernsaint on Oct 21, 2007 12:02 PM CDT reply actions

Playcalling

Can we run the damn ball? Or at least go for it on 4th and 3 from that field position?

by southernsaint on Oct 21, 2007 12:16 PM CDT reply actions

WTH

Can the defense not let receivers get wide open? Every pass is to a wide open receiver.
The defense is making a ProBowler out of Leftwich.
The defense needs an overhaul, the scheme and the players need to be changed.

by southernsaint on Oct 21, 2007 1:16 PM CDT reply actions

Brees

On the offsides free play, he throws right to the defender.
On this 4th and 2, he throws right to the defender.
Is he color blind? Can he not tell the difference in uniforms?
The inconsistent play is killing this team. They are playing like a bunch of high schoolers.

by southernsaint on Oct 21, 2007 1:37 PM CDT reply actions