Welcome to Atlanta, Where the Playas Play

Well, I hate to say I told you so. So I won’t. But I did. But I won’t. There’s nothing worse than picking your team to lose and getting it right. Well, maybe total and complete global annihilation. That’s worse. But just barely.

But the New Jersey Jets are just a better team at this point in the season. Our young defense hasn’t totally melded yet and our old offense hasn’t totally warmed up yet. We’ll see how the tables have turned in November.

On the plus side, I did get to watch the game on a giant HD screen. Which begs the high moral question, do you date a girl strictly for her television? I’d imagine, after reading this column, I won’t have to worry about that query too much.

On Sunday morning (West Coast time) we play host to the undefeated Atlanta Falcons. Hotlanta! A young franchise quarterback, a young franchise halfback and an old franchise tight end have combined forces for one of the best offenses in the league and they look to continue their undefeatedness (not a word) against the .500 Pats on Sunday.

How do we match up? To the Gander Machine!

Quarterback – New England’s native son against an actual native son of New England (for his college years, anyway). Tom Brady is the superior talent, but last year’s top rookie has been performing better in the early stages of 2009. We’ve just gotta hope that once Tom gets his second wide receiver back he can start putting up Brady numbers again. Numbers like 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7.. Edge: Pats

Backfield – Michael Turner. Edge: Falcons

Receivers – Tony Gonzalez has been the main reason behind the Falcons early successes, giving Matt Ryan a reliable receiver the likes of which he hasn’t seen in his short career. Roddy White and Michael Jenkins are great as well. Randy and Welker haven’t truly shown up yet. Randy’s catching balls, he’s just not going anywhere after he catches them. And I’ve never seen Wes miss a game. Troubling. Our receivers – talent-wise – are superior. Now they just need to start playing like it. Edge: Falcons

Offensive Line – The New England O-Line is easily their biggest weakness and has been since late-2007. Atlanta has a young left side in Sam Baker and Justin Blalock and a veteran to guide them in Todd McClure. Still waiting on the arrival of The Berlin Wall (Sebastian Vollmer). Edge: Falcons

Article Author: Ethan Booker

Ethan Booker was born & raised in Holden, ME. A graduate of James Madison University, he now resides in Los Angeles, CA. He is patiently awaiting casting for the live-action adaptation of Battletoads. He will be reading for the part of 'Rash.'

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