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New Orleans3-3 (Away: 2-1)
Atlanta2-5 (Home: 1-2)
ESPN's Take: Saints head to Atlanta on a roll
NEXT GAME
Sun., Oct. 29 Carolina 1:00 PM ET

Silver lining: No more Rams
The good news is that the Falcons have nine more games, and none of them are against a team from St. Louis. The Rams, 45-29 victors on Sunday, outscored the Falcons 86-49 in their two games this year. In the last two years, the Falcons have been outscored 162-69 by St. Louis. Of historical note: The game began with both teams running back kickoffs for consecutive touchdowns, beginning with Darrick Vaughn's 96-yard jaunt to open the game. That was the first time in NFL history that happened.
  • ESPN.com NFL Power Rankings


    • FEATURES
    Clayton: First ... And 10
    The Titans and Ravens are out to prove they're the tougher team, writes ESPN.com's John Clayton.
    Tuesday Morning Quarterback
    You have to wonder if Mike Riley takes roll call. That's one of the things we pondered in Week 7.


    The Falcons have committed eight turnovers in seven wins (zero turnovers in three of those victories), 42 turnovers in 16 losses dating back to 1999.
    ..................................
     NEWS AND NOTES
  • Rookie Darrick Vaughn leads the NFL in kickoff return average (37.3 yards), the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. PR Tim Dwight is third in the league in punt returns with a 15.4 average and one score.
  • Strongside starting LB Henri Crockett (sprained right ankle) could miss the Saints' game on Sunday, and weakside starter Keith Brooking (sprained left foot) and reserve MLB Jeff Kelly probably will miss their third straight game, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. Chris Draft would start for Brooking for the third straight game, and Mark Simoneau would start for Crockett. Corey Atkins, who was signed off the practice squad three weeks ago, is the only backup LB.


    • 2000 NFC WEST STANDINGS
    TEAM W L HOME ROAD PF PA
    St. Louis 6 0 4-0 2-0 262 174
    New Orleans 3 3 1-2 2-1 110 98
    Carolina 2 4 1-2 1-2 110 100
    San Francisco 2 5 1-2 1-3 198 224
    Atlanta 2 5 1-2 1-3 130 217
    Complete Standings

    SCHEDULE/RESULTS
    Date Opponent Time/Results
    Sep. 03 San Francisco Win 36-28
    Sep. 10 @Denver Loss 42-14
    Sep. 17 @Carolina Win 15-10
    Sep. 24 St. Louis Loss 41-20
    Oct. 01 @Philadelphia Loss 38-10
    Oct. 08 NY Giants Loss 13-6
    Oct. 15 @St. Louis Loss 45-29
    Oct. 22 New Orleans 1:00 PM  ET
    Oct. 29 Carolina 1:00 PM  ET
    Nov. 05 Tampa Bay 1:00 PM  ET
    Nov. 12 @Detroit 1:00 PM  ET
    Nov. 19 @San Francisco 4:15 PM  ET
    Nov. 26 @Oakland 4:05 PM  ET
    Dec. 03 Seattle 1:00 PM  ET
    BYE WEEK
    Dec. 17 @New Orleans 1:00 PM  ET
    Dec. 24 Kansas City 1:00 PM  ET

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    "The effort is there … we're just not making the plays we should make, and that includes me."
    -- LB Jessie Tuggle, on the defense, which missed 25 tackles against the Rams and is averaging 10.8 missed tackles per game, in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

    TEAM LEADERS
    PASSINGATTCOMPYDSTD
    Chandler19110712816
    RUSHINGCARYDSAVGTD
    Anderson1133763.33
    Rivers8273.40
    RECEIVINGRECYDSAVGTD
    Jefferson3044514.81
    Mathis2832811.72
    Complete Team statistics | Roster

    TRANSACTIONS
    Oct. 11
    Placed tackle Michael Thompson on injured reserve with a torn right Achilles tendon; re-signed guard Evan Pilgrim.
    Sep. 21
    Signed defensive tackle William Carr to the practice squad.
    Sep. 19
    Placed defensive tackle Shane Dronett on injured reserve with a torn right ACL; placed linebacker Chris Bordano on injured reserve with a broken neck vertabra; signed defensive end Chris White and linebacker Corey Atkins from the practice squad; signed wide receiver Kamil Loud to the practice squad.
    Sep. 07
    Signed linebacker Chris Bordano; waived quarterback Tony Graziani.
    Aug. 31
    Signed kicker Jake Arians, linebacker Corey Atkins, defensive end Aaron Fields, tackle Wes Shivers and defensive lineman Chris White to the practice squad.

    DID YOU KNOW?
    Last season, the Falcons swept New Orleans for the fifth consecutive year.

    from the FALCONS MESSAGE BOARD
    "I would like for the defense to get off the field. They need one or two more three-and-outs a game. … They are underated. The numbers don't show how well they've played. If the offense can find a groove, people will start recognizing how good our defense is, but they can't be out there for 45:00 of the game."
    – maddux4president
    Post a message | Message list
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