The Atlanta Falcons are the defending NFC South champions and will begin their season against a rival team looking to de-throne them. The New Orleans Saints are back with Sean Payton at head coach and a new attitude about them. The Falcons are beginning their quest for a Super Bowl after getting cut short in 2012.
The Saints are back in the spotlight after Payton sat out the entire 2012 season due to a suspension. As a result, New Orleans struggled to a 7-9 season and failed to make the playoffs after three-straight appearances. The Saints will kick their season off at home against a Falcons team they have had a lot of success again. New Orleans is 10-2 against the Falcons when Payton is coaching and Drew Brees is a quarterback. The intend on revenging last season's loss.
The Falcons have a lot of hype around them in 2013 and are considered the team to beat in the NFL South. Last year, the team went 13-3 while falling just nine yards short of the Super Bowl. The postseason did see the Falcons as the No. 1 seed in the NFC and head coach Mike Smith and quarterback Matt Ryan got the playoff monkey off their back after defeating Seattle.
The team understands that the road to the division goes through New Orleans. It was the Saints that cut the Falcons win streak last year. Atlanta is coming in with some significant roster upgrades including Steven Jackson and Osi Umenyiora. Along with Roddy White and Julio Jones, the team's offense is set.
The Saints have new coordinator Rob Ryan installing a much different scheme that last year. New Orleans surrendered 7,042 yards in total offense last year. It was a big reason the team failed to make the playoffs. Matt Ryan and Drew Brees both had huge seasons last year and the quarterback that makes the least amount of mistakes in this game will get their team a win.
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