:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57896265/630776510.jpg.0.jpg)
The New Orleans Saints have surprised everyone except themselves and their most diehard fanatics with their performance this season. The team, long known for the arm talent of Drew Brees, is showing some defensive talent as well. The Saints are at 9-3 and lead the NFC South.
On the other side, we see the Atlanta Falcons, currently a respectable third in the division at 7-5, but generally overlooked by the national media. When you examine the performances of Matt Ryan and Drew Brees, it’s rather surprising to see how Brees is lauded as an elite quarterback while Ryan is still struggling to even get mentioned in the conversation. Brees has completed 291 of 407 pass attempts, for 3,298 yards and 17 touchdowns. Ryan has completed 260 of 390 attempts for 16 touchdowns and 3,057 yards. Yet no one outside Atlanta is discussing Matt Ryan.
Non-aligned fans like ourselves (Houston has a sizeable population that spring from Louisiana, and Falcons fans hold a special place in BRB’s hearts) get to see two of the best quarterbacks in the game face off tonight. This game, like all NFC South games, should be heated because these two fanbases simply don’t like one another. Sit back, watch the game, and try to forget that the Texans play Sunday.