Saints Aim to Aid Defense by Regulating Pace on Offense vs. Falcons

by Ray Glier

Filed under: Atlanta Falcons, Saints, NFC South

The New Orleans Saints (10-4) will have an issue Monday night in the Georgia Dome. Just how much do they want to try and play up tempo against the Atlanta Falcons?

The Saints have a no huddle offense, of course, and they can spray the ball around and gas the defense with a lot of different weapons.

But what if the Falcons go on one of their long drives with their no huddle? What if they keep the Saints' defense out on the field?

Then, if New Orleans uses its no huddle and they have a quick three-and-out, the defense is right back out on the field. That defense could be awfully tired. The game could have some pivotal moments in the first quarter.

It could be the Saints try and get a conventional first down with scripted plays and then go to the no huddle. Either way, there will be a chess match Monday night.

"The challenge is that you have to be smart," coach Sean Payton said. "If you decide to use it and your defense needs rest because they've been out on the field, you can be right back out on the field defensively. There was a time in the (Baltimore) game in the first half where we were contemplating going into it and our defense was on the field. We stayed away from it.

 

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