Game Prediction: NO 24, ATL 17

Update: Kurt Kittner has replaced Doug Johnson as the starting QB and since he takes his first start, the numbers could be high or low since he is facing the Saints defense. Kittner is known more as an accurate passer than a strong arm and since the game plan may include shorter routes with a new QB, I am lowering numbers.

New Orleans Notes

Quarterbacks: More baby steps than giant leaps, Aaron Brooks is getting better this season. Last week he threw two touchdowns and had 153 yards passing and the previous week he had one score and 189 yards in the air. The important thing is that Brooks has not thrown an interception in two games and the offense is starting to run better. It may not be purring along right yet, but at least the backfiring has stopped.

Running backs: Other than the Tennessee disaster, Deuce McAllister has been the lone consistently productive player for the Saints and last week ran for 124 yards on 23 carries and had 59 yards on four catches. That makes four of five games with at least 90 yards of production.

Wide Receivers: It took a late touchdown to make Joe Horn's game look decent last week, ending with four catches for 56 yards and Donte' Stallworth has replaced the injured Michael Lewis as the primary punt and kick returner. Stallworth's dropped passes in recent weeks have not helped his cause and he only had one catch for 21 yards last week. While Joe Horn had 12 passes thrown to him, Stallworth only had two. Even Jerome Pathon (4-55) had seven throws.

Tight Ends: Where receiving production has slid is to the tight end - Ernie Conwell. Last week he had two catches but one was a touchdown. The previous week he had four catches for 44 yards. Before that, six for 88 yards.

Match against the defense: The Falcons offer a "feel good" defense because it has really felt good when opponents play against them. Atlanta ranks in the bottom ten for defending against almost all positions and are in the worst three for both running backs and wide receivers. Offenses like to see that on their schedule.

The only quarterback that did not score two touchdown passes on the Falcons were Jake Delhomme who had one in an offense that does not throw, and Quincy Carter who also had one but also threw for 267 yards. You can throw on the Falcons and use almost any player.

The Falcons also give up huge yardage and scores to running backs if that suits the fancy of the offense. Atlanta is like a buffet for opponents looking to fatten up their stats.

Atlanta Notes

Quarterbacks: After giving false hope with 352 yards against the Vikings, Doug Johnson could only manage 134 yards and no scores in St. Louis last week. At the rate this team is going, Michael Vick should be faking a limp for the next two months. The problem in the passing game comes when teams do not overlook the Falcons and actually play to win all 60 minutes.

Running backs: The nice runs by T.J. Duckett against Minnesota gave way to a 16 carry for 50 yard effort against the Rams. Warrick Dunn fared slightly better, netting 23 yards on only 5 carries. Duckett had 100 yards against the Panthers as a surprise, but now that he has been in the game plans for defenses, he is less effective.

Wide Receivers: That whole 12 catches for 168 yards by Peerless Price two weeks ago is now sandwiched between 30 and 8 yard games. Price had nine throws last week but only one catch. Brian Finneran returned from his hand injury and led receivers with 55 yards on three catches.

Tight Ends: While Alge Crumpler started the year hot, now he has settled down to only around three catches and 30 yards a game.

Match against the defense: The Saints finally find a decent match for their defense.

While New Orleans can definitely be ran on, the Falcons have not been running well.

While New Orleans can definitely give up passing yards. The Falcons have not been passing well.

The main question here is how well the team is coached and motivated going into the game since the relative strengths and weaknesses are similar.

Game Prediction: Almost anything could happen in this game. The Saints come off a win, but have not won a road game this season. The Falcons come off a short, humiliating week and have yet to win at home. The key to this game is that the Saints are slowly improving, coming off a win and at least pointing in the right direction.

The Falcons on Monday night took on the look of a team that had finally seen its spirit broken. Only six weeks into the season. They may bounce back and Vick may inject some positive feelings but in only six days their public flogging on Monday is more deflating than motivating.

* Fantasy point rankings calculated using standard Huddle fantasy points