New Orleans offense vs. Atlanta defense

	NEW ORLEANS OFFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	Run	12
	Pass	16
	Tot. Yds.	11
	Scoring	23
	Int's allowed	16
	Sacks allowed	20
	ATLANTA DEFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	vs. Run	26
	vs. Pass	7
	Total yds. allowed	16
	# of Ints.	8
	# of Sacks	27
	Turnover differential	-11

The Saint offense sputtered last week against Jacksonville, with only 12 points -- all on Doug Brien field goals. The absence of RB Ricky Williams hurt the team, as well as the absence of QB Billy Joe Tolliver, who, before going down for three games with a torn MCL, was playing pretty well. The team is unsure whether Williams will play this week, but will take its time bringing him back because they mortgaged the future to get him. In relief of Williams is RB Lamar Smith, a solid cutback runner, but not the big play threat that a healthy Williams is.

In this game, the Saints need to use TE Cam Cleeland's vertical speed to stretch the defense down the middle of the field. Cleeland, when playing at 100%, can beat just about any LB in football, so look for back-up QB Billy Jo Hobert to rely on Cleeland heavily this week. On the ground, the Saints should find some success running the football against the 26th ranked run defense in the NFL. Smith is most effective when he is running in space, so look for New Orleans to run some counters to get the Atlanta defense headed in the opposite direction.

The Falcons have done pretty well this season defending the pass -- and this bodes well against a Saint team that, absent Ricky Williams, will be forced to put the ball up more often. To force New Orleans to do so, the Falcons must improve their run defense. The undersized front four needs to do a better job of stacking at the point of attack to free up the linebackers to make plays.

The Falcon linebackers should not be too aggressive defending the run, however, as New Orleans TE Cleeland seems to be returning to form after missing much of the season with an injury. LOLB Henry Crockett will be given the responsibility of covering Cleeland, often with help from one of his safeties, and this could leave the Falcons corners in single coverage on the Saints' outside receivers. LDC Ray Buchanan and RDC Ronnie Bradford have the skills to play man coverage against the Saints receivers, but should keep a close eye on WR Keith Poole, who, although he is undersized, has deep speed and is capable of stretching the defense.

Expect the Atlanta corners to give Poole and WR Eddie Kennison sizeable cushions, forcing New Orleans QB Hobert to throw the ball underneath and compelling the Saints' receivers to make catches in traffic. With New Orleans' deep speed, Atlanta will miss SS Marty Carter, who was quietly having a fine season providing helping the cornerbacks over the top.

Atlanta's offensive line is having a horrendous year protecting QB Chris Chandler and needs to step up this week against one of the better pass-rushing units in the NFL. That means veteran LOT Bob Whitfield needs to contain New Orleans' RDE Brady Smith, who is having a breakout year. Smith has always been able to get after the QB and has markedly improved his play against the run.

If Chandler has time to throw the football, he has a deep threat in WR Tim Dwight, and a reliable WR in Terrence Mathis for the underneath routes. Atlanta will look to give the dangerous Dwight as many touches as possible so expect to see more creative looks, similar to how he was used out of the backfield last week. The Falcons should focus on the short, rhythmic passing game to protect Chandler and move the football, because New Orleans should dominate the line of scrimmage.

Run defense, the Saints' Achilles heal, is unlikely to be exposed against the Falcons, the 30th ranked running team in the NFL. New Orleans defensive coordinator Zaven Yaralian won't try to do anything fancy against the Falcons, as his front seven should be able to shut down an anemic Falcon running game.

RDE Brady Smith and RDT Laroi Glover should be effective against the left side of the Atlanta offensive line. Glover is not the strongest run defender, but excels by using his quickness and penetrating skills at the point of attack to disrupt opposing offense's backfields. Glover will be matched up against Atlanta LOG Bob Hallen, and needs to beat him with his first move to avoid being pushed around at the line of scrimmage.

LDC Ashley Ambrose will probably be left in single coverage for much of the day against Atlanta WR Mathis, who is a reliable pass catcher on the underneath routes, but who lacks the speed to beat New Orleans' secondary deep. The Saints will then roll coverage, most likely SS Willie Clay to WR Dwight's side of the field to prevent him from getting behind the defense.

New Orleans also needs to pressure Atlanta QB Chandler, who is effective when given enough time. If the Saints can force Chandler to throw on the run, he should have difficulty finding his receivers.