Jeff Duncan

ATLANTA — “Rise Up” is the Atlanta Falcons‘ official slogan this season.

It’s printed on the team’s media credentials, inscribed on T-shirts throughout the Georgia Dome and even chanted by actor Samuel L. Jackson on a pregame video to stoke the home crowd before the opening kickoff.

It was an appropriate preamble for the New Orleans Saints‘ resounding 17-14 victory against their bitter archrivals.

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By Guy Curtright, Contributing writer

ATLANTA — Coming off a feeble ground performance in a 30-24 loss at Baltimore, the New Orleans Saints were without leading rusher Chris Ivory again for their showdown with the Atlanta Falcons on “Monday Night Football” at the Georgia Dome.

Ivory, a rookie who has 683 yards on 130 carries for a 5.3 average and five touchdowns, was inactive for the second consecutive game because of a hamstring injury.

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By Pat Yasinskas

ATLANTA — I’m heading downstairs for interviews and will be back with more in a bit. But first, a quick Rapid Reaction to the Saints’ 17-14 victory.

What it means: The Saints have guaranteed that the race for the NFC South title will go down to the final week of the regular season. The victory makes them 11-4, but they still trail Atlanta (12-3) by a game. The division title remains possible if the Saints win their final game and the Falcons lose. Even if that doesn’t happen and Atlanta ends up with the home-field advantage, the Saints already have shown they can win in the Georgia Dome.

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By Jeff Duncan, The Times-Picayune

Atlanta — The New Orleans Saints got their revenge on the Atlanta Falcons and stayed alive for the NFC South championship.

A great defensive effort and a nice fourth quarter drive sealed the deal as the Saints won 17-14.

Drew Brees was 35-of-49 for 302 yards and touchdown and two interceptions — both of which appeared to be costly. But it was that one touchdown, to cap a seven minute drive in the fourth quarter, that was the key.

With the win, the Saints are 11-4 and Atlanta drops to 12-3. If the Saints beat Tampa Bay on Sunday and Atlanta loses to Carolina, the Saints will win the NFC South.

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By John Manasso
FOXSportsSouth.com
Dec. 27, 2010

As much as the strategy of play-calling can be an act of intimidation, that is what Saints coach Sean Payton tries to do to an opposing defense on his team’s opening offensive drive.

The day after Atlanta head coach Mike Smith’s team defeated Seattle to clinch a playoff berth and one week before his Falcons were set to meet up with arch-rival New Orleans, Smith talked about how different it is to prepare for the Saints’ offense.

“Sean Payton is one of the most innovative offensive coaches in terms of how he packages his game plan together,” Smith said. “He forces you to use a lot of brain power, especially the first 15 to 20 plays with personnel groupings and high tempo.”

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