FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- So far in 2008 the Saints offense looks more tuned for Xbox than the physical grind of the NFL.
Quarterback Drew Brees is completing 69.1 percent of his passes for a league-high 2,563 yards and 15 touchdowns. He's found 15 different receivers. As a result, the Saints (4-4) lead the league in passing yards per game (314.4) and total offense (403.1).
The Falcons (5-3) prepared for Brees and a Nintendo-style, high-flying attack this week.
"He's an exceptional quarterback," safety Erik Coleman said. "They have the No. 1 pass offense in the league and he's done a great job spreading the ball out and getting it to the open man. They have a lot of weapons out on the perimeter and he has the arm strength and the savvy in the pocket to get the ball to them."
Coleman, who leads the Falcons with two interceptions, said the secondary must be prepared to make more plays. The Saints offensive line has averaged less than one sack per game giving Brees time to complete the majority of his passes.
"You watch all the highlights and he's sitting back in the pocket making great decisions," Coleman said. "That does make it so we have to cover a lot longer. We're just going to have to keep working and everyone be on their 'A' game."
The Falcons rank in the middle of the league in pass defense but are coming off a game in which they allowed just 77 total yards and three first downs. The Birds are also better against the pass in the Georgia Dome, allowing less than 300 yards in all three games at home this season.
New Orleans will also be without leading rusher and receiver Reggie Bush (knee).
Head Coach Mike Smith said his team works hard on limiting plays of 20 or more yards (a category the Saints top). Most of the mistakes, according to Smith, are easily corrected.
"Most explosive plays that an offense is able to produce are caused by one of three things," he said. "One is poor tackling. Two is missed leverage and three is a blown assignment. I don't want to take a lot away from offenses but a lot of times it's more about us than it is them"
But the Falcons have momentum in their favor and aren't a team to shy away from a fight.
"They're such an advanced and mature offense that they make it really difficult to prepare for them," starting cornerback Domonique Foxworth said. "But I think we're ready for the challenge."
GETTING DEFENSIVE: The Saints defense loses some of the spotlight to Brees and the team's multi-weapon offense. But with linebacker Jonathan Vilma roaming the middle of the field New Orleans claims one of the league's more underated defenses.
The Saints rank 18th against the run but have allowed just one 100-yard rusher this season. In one of the best performances of the year, the Saints held Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson to 32 yards.
New Orleans still allows just more than 109 yards per game on the ground, however, giving the Falcons more than enough opportunity to run the football between the tackles with Michael Turner and change the pace with Jerious Norwood. The Saints answer with Deuce McAlister, who averages less than 4 yards per carry.
The Falcons have been remarkably consistent through the first half of the season which could put continued pressure on the Saints defense.
"We talked about the fact that there are a lot of players in this league that have ability, but the great players have sustainability," Smith said. "Whether it is sustaining from one play to the next or one quarter to the next quarter or from one game to the next game, that’s what the good players do. I think it is a process and it is part of the process that you go through when you are developing your football team. You have to continue to speak to the players about this process and understand that it is not just physical; it is a mental process as well.”
Consistency like that will control the clock and help keep the Saints -- and their 47 percent third-down success rate -- off the field.
"Our defense has done a great job all year," quarterback Matt Ryan said. "It's going to be a good matchup with their offense and our defense and it's going to be important for us to play well. That doesn't change. Week-in and week-out we have to make sure we score some points and hold on to that ball."
SHUFFLING THE CARDS: Smith seemed pleased with his team's health when he met with the media on Wendesday. That feeling showed on the Saint Joseph's Injury Report during the week.
Starters Todd Weiner, Todd McClure and Grady Jackson are listed as questionable for the game but each practiced at some point during the week.
THE SKINNY: After traveling five times in the first eight games the Falcons are happy to enter a stretch of three-straight home games on Sunday. The Birds are currently tied for second in the NFC South and a win will do more than give the team its first division win of 2008.
It keeps Atlanta in the playoff hunt.
Playing at home adds an element of crowd involvement that has paid dividends for the Birds, who are a perfect 3-0 in Atlanta.
"Every time we're at home we play well and we haven't turned the ball over," wide receiver Roddy White said. "Hopefully this week we go out there, melt the clock and keep it away from their offense because they can score a whole lot of points...'"
Of course, there's nothing like some background noise to ruin that video game precision.
NUMBERS, NOTES AND COLORS: Some digits, info and hues to get you ready for Sunday's game against the Saints...
- The Falcons will wear red jerseys Sunday against the Saints.
- Jackson played for the Saints for portions of the 2002 and 2003 seasons.
- The Falcons lead the overall series with the Saints 43-34.
- Atlanta won 10-straight games over New Orleans from 1995 to 2000.
- The Falcons are undefeated when scoring on the games' opening drive this season.
- The Birds have allowed a league-low 14 points in the first quarter this season.
- Atlanta has 40 plays of 10 or more yards this season (second in the NFL).
- Jason Elam is on track to tie the franchise single-season scoring mark (138).
- Punter Michael Koenen is the only undrafted free agent on the roster.
- The Falcons and Saints haven't split a regular-season series since 1993.
MORE FALCONS-SAINTS COVERAGE:
- SCOUTING REPORT: Falcons look to contain Saints high-powered offense
- FALCONCAST: J. Mike and Matt preview this weekend's game against the Saints
- BLOG: Falcons-Saints Rivalry Rewind | J. Mike's Missives
- GAME ENTERTAINMENT: Entertainment info for this weekend's game
- NOTEBOOK: Foxworth looks to turn increased role into big plays
- PREVIEW PACK: More on the Falcons-Saints game
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Ryan | Norwood | Houston | White
- INJURY REPORT: Visit the Saint Joseph's Injury report for more info
- FOE AUDIO: Saints head coach Sean Payton | Quarterback Drew Brees
- BLOG: Doubling Up the Stat Sheet | Birdseed
- NEWS: Ryan named NFC Offensive Player of the Week
- AWARDS: Big win in Oakland leads to award nominations
- COMMUNITY: Brooking up for Home Depot Neighborhood MVP
- TRANSCRIPT: Head Coach Mike Smith
- VANTAGE POINT: Falcons-Raiders Highlights from AF.com
