***MNF IN THE SWAMP - ATL @ NO***

***ATLANTA FALCONS @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS***

An NFC South showdown takes place on MNF tonight as the 1-1 Atlanta Falcons head into New Orleans to take on an 0-2 Saints team in what could be a high scoring shootout. Then again sometimes when you think two teams are primed to light up the scoreboard, you get a game like the Saints last week when they went on the road to take on the New York Giants and lost 16-13 in a low scoring affair. In fact the Saints lost their first two games by a total of 4 points combined, last week's on a game ending FG by the Giants, and in week 1 blowing a two score 4th quarter lead at home against the Raiders when Oakland scored at the end of the game and successfully gambled on a 2pt conversion for the win. When looking at things that way, this Saints team could easily be 2-0 right now. That being said, tonight's game carries the good 'ol must-win muster about it for the Saints, as an 0-3 record is a crippling way to start the season. To make things a little more interesting, it is the 10th year anniversary of when the Saints reopened the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina and hero Steve Gleason blocked an Atlanta punt to what has gone on to symbolize the rebirth of New Orleans and one of the best all time moments in NFL history. Gleason himself will be in the house tonight which I have to imagine will take the already noise deafening dome up a notch as they hope to relive a win against this very same team 10 years ago in the "DomeComing." The task however is much easier said than done as the Falcons overall are a better team, or at least healthier. The Saints secondary has been decimated at the CB position this year as they roll without their top 4 CBs coming into this season. However thus far these guys have stepped up for the most part as we can see from last week's game against a deadly Giants WR core and kept them out of the endzone. That bend but don't break mentality will have to come into play again tonight against the passing attack of Matt Ryan and the Falcons who have really gotten it going in the first two games. WR Julio Jones is banged up but will give it a go, and even not at 100% will be a factor as you have to account for where he is at all times. My guess is he will play just fine and get his catches. Fellow WR Mohammad Sanu is a perfect addition to this Falcons team to help out Julio and feed off all the attention he draws. TE Jacob Tamme has also been a nice addition to this offense and seems to be an early favorite target for Ryan. The Saints on the other hand slowed down offensively after a lots of production in game 1 and will be without one of Brees favorite targets in WR Willie Snead. Rookie Michael Thomas will be filling in for Snead and as long as Brandin Cooks is on the field, Brees has a go-to man. Cooks is deadly and can beat you deep with his speed on any given play. The Saints will also be without their left tackle Terron Armstead but with how fast Brees gets rid of the ball and lack of pass rush from the Falcons, I think they are deep enough on the offensive line to make due. Both teams have improved their offensive lines and that is why this one should be an entertaining and fun shootout between these two QBs. I am going to roll with Saints Head Coach Sean Payton who has absolutely owned Atlanta during his tenure at New Orleans and say that he and the boys will march to victory tonight while riding the inspiration provided by Gleason and their fans in what should be an emotional game. SAINTS-2.5