Three more monster matchups this week in the power conference, starting with tonight's south showdown between the surging Saints and fighting Falcons. There's going to be so many great battles all over the field, but I think tonight really looms as a referendum for Steve Sarkian's offence. The preseason narrative was all about whether he was going to be able to keep Atlanta ticking over at somewhere close to the juggernaut that Kyle Shanahan had created, and while things were starting to head in the right direction, they hit a big speed bump against Minnesota's tough defence last week. Can Julio Jones stand up and have one of his trademark huge games, depending on the presence of Marshon Lattimore?

On Sunday we have the Vikings and Panthers early, followed by the Eagles and Rams late. Then the AFC takes over for the prime time games, the Steelers and suddenly intriguing looking Ravens renewing their storied (and respectful) rivalry on Sunday night, while the Patriots looks to have things a little bit easier in their quest to win the #1 seed against the Dolphins on Monday night.

Football. :cool2:

Can't wait. For many, it's also opening week of the playoffs in fantasy. Exciting times.

I'm pumped for those major NFC games, the respectful rivalry and the return of Eli.

As for tonight's predictions, I'm predicting the Falcons to win 30-17.

Looks like Julio's come to play. Holding penalty on Lattimore on his first target, and he takes his second 40 yards across the field breaking tackles.

Meanwhile Kamara's in the locker room being checked for a concussion - obviously a huge loss for the Saints if he can't come back into the game.

Loooong TD drive by Atlanta, partially aided by a soft looking roughing the passer flag. Falcons taking advantage of Vaccaro's questionable coverage skills targeting their tight ends over the middle on key downs.

Wild finish to the half, Lattimore striking back against Julio and picking off Ryan flipping the field only for a formation penalty to cost the Saints a chance to take the lead.

Kamara has been ruled out for the night, so the Saints will have to go back to more of their "traditional" passing offence as we saw on their TD drive.

Game is living up to expectations!

This game is so important for both teams, but mostly for Atlanta. They can't turn the ball over anymore in this game. They're lucky that FG was negated or they could be down 2 scores right now. They need to wake up and play better. If not, the Saints may run away from them in the second half. If they do without Kamara, count ATL out for the count and Nawlins would be my legitimate favorite out the NFC if they're not already.

What is Matt Ryan seeing out there? He got unlucky with the second interception, but the other two were just horrible decisions. That one was the worst of the lot, Julio was never in position to have the ball thrown to him.

Much better drive that time from Atlanta as Sarkisian recommits to the run. All tied up - can the Saints continue punching despite all their injuries tonight?

What a wild finish.

Absolutely HATE that flag on Payton to finish the game. That is the definition of officials getting overly involved in the game. Don't have thin skin and make it about you, let the players decide who wins.

A real shame to end what was a fantastic game like that.

Have been reading about Shazier’s injury, just can’t fathom from what I’ve read that he will ever play again.

It's a Winter Wonderland in Buffalo. Man, I love seeing football played in the snow.

Texans game not on tv in my area so im streaming it. This is the least interested ive been in a Texans game in a while, still my boys though. Cushing and Fuller are back on the field, Fuller moving the chains with 2 nice catches already.

Stadium is emptiest ive ever seen it, ive been riding this wagon since August 2002, was feeling a lot of extra weight on board when Watson was playing good earlier this season, boy ill tell ya this is the lightest ive felt it in years right now.

Nice recovery from last weeks poor performance by Fairbairn, just hit career long 55 yarder, 3-0 Houston

Dec 10, 2017 18:15:03 GMT shinobimusashi said:

Texans game not on tv in my area so im streaming it. This is the least interested ive been in a Texans game in a while, still my boys though. Cushing and Fuller are back on the field, Fuller moving the chains with 2 nice catches already.

Stadium is emptiest ive ever seen it, ive been riding this wagon since August 2002, was feeling a lot of extra weight on board when Watson was playing good earlier this season, boy ill tell ya this is the lightest ive felt it in years right now.

Nice recovery from last weeks poor performance by Fairbairn, just hit career long 55 yarder, 3-0 Houston

Wow.  I hope they don't reach mid-90s Oilers era lows.

Jimmy G just threw a big pick, feeling the pressure from Clowney.

Nice coincidence, me and pduh squaring off in the fan fic draft this week and our teams are going head to head on the gridiron today.

Dec 10, 2017 18:20:53 GMT CM Punk'd said:

Dec 10, 2017 18:15:03 GMT shinobimusashi said:

Texans game not on tv in my area so im streaming it. This is the least interested ive been in a Texans game in a while, still my boys though. Cushing and Fuller are back on the field, Fuller moving the chains with 2 nice catches already.

Stadium is emptiest ive ever seen it, ive been riding this wagon since August 2002, was feeling a lot of extra weight on board when Watson was playing good earlier this season, boy ill tell ya this is the lightest ive felt it in years right now.

Nice recovery from last weeks poor performance by Fairbairn, just hit career long 55 yarder, 3-0 Houston

Wow.  I hope they don't reach mid-90s Oilers era lows.

Their kneeling for the anthem in Seattle went over like a Led Zeppelin around here

Big stop by former Texan Earl Mitchell on 4th and 1, turnover on downs

Damn, Nick Martin got burned on that 4th and 1, what a disappointment he turned out to be. Hes a below average Center, sad thing is hes the best olineman we got right now.

I know they arent popular but i love those Texans Battle Red uniforms, i wouldnt mind if they wore those full time.

I love that the Giants are wearing their "Jersey Giants" era uniforms. Just seems so right, considering where they're playing.

Man Hopkins has been robbed of so many sideline catches this year, refs need to open their fucking eyes.

Decision reversed! Huge catch by Hopkins.

That was amazing catch by Hopkins 49ers D is holding it’s own so far but for how long?

Down goes Clowney

Cmon Hyde you got to catch that

Tj Yates comes in!

Yates moving the chains, LETS GO!!!

Never should have let this man go, hes running this offense way better than Savage has today, he fucking drove them right down the fucking field!!!! I been preaching it for years, Tj Yates is better than all of Bill Obriens chumps he keeps bringing down here.

And Fairbairn misses the xp, get this fucking guy out of here.

Jimmy G carving us up now.

Nice Niners moving the fields and settle for the FG heading to halftime I take it