FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Each Wednesday the Falcons offense gathers in the team meeting room to get the week's instructions from offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey.
Each Wednesday the group gets a little more excited about the exotic plays that make their way from Mularkey's brain to the field.
"You talk to different guys after games and they talk about how hard we are to prepare for as a team," center Todd McClure said this week. "When they don't know where it's going to come from -- a different guy this week -- it makes it that much harder. I think with the speed we play at and the weapons we have it makes it really hard for a team to get ready for us."
Atlanta's offense seems to feature a new player each game. There's the power running of Michael Turner, precision passing from Matt Ryan, clutch catches from Roddy White or overall explosiveness of rookie receiver Harry Douglas.
And that's just naming a few of the contributors who have taken their turn in the spotlight in recent weeks.
Who will be the focus when the Falcons (8-4) take the field against the Saints (6-6) in New Orleans? No one's spilling any secrets. But the offense understands the Saints -- a team beaten at the Georgia Dome 26 days ago -- will have a better idea of what to expect when the ball is snapped.
"Last time was the first time they played us this year," McClure said. "I think they'll have a little better idea of how we want to attack them and the speed we play at on offense. I think we may have taken them by surprise the first time we played them. I think they'll definitely be ready for that this time and playing at their place is definitely a big change."
The Falcons have found multiple ways to win games this season, however, including big plays on defense. Just last week the Birds held one of the league's best offenses to just 201 total yards... on the road.
"As an offense you always want to score points and create a cushion between yourself and the other team," Ryan said. "Our defense has had our back all year. They've made some huge plays in huge situations. We're relying on them, they're relying on us and we're both relying on the special teams so that's a good thing."
The balance continues.
GROUNDING THE SAINTS: The Falcons secondary reached a turning point during the first game against the Saints this season. The unit had been criticized but responded with three interceptions and an effort that held quarterback Drew Brees to -- at the time -- his lowest completion rate of the season (53.4 percent).
Nine Falcons recorded at least one pass defensed.
New Orleans entered the game with one of the league's most explosive offenses, but the Falcons held the team to just two plays of 30 or more yards. The Birds defense has allowed only three plays of 30 or more yards in the three games since. The Chargers did not have an offensive play of more than 18 yards last week.
Atlanta still gave up plenty of yards to the Saints, however, and wants to keep a consistent level of pressure on Brees this time around.
"We played extremely well against the Saints in the first game really for the first three-and-a-half quarters, better than anyone's played them," linebacker Keith Brooking said. "We have to keep that same intensity, that same play for a full game this time because they can beat you with their big plays."
Brooking said slowing the Saints offense requires disrupting timing. That can come with sacks, physical play in the secondary or stopping the running game.
"They're a timing offense and we did a great job of throwing off the timing of Brees in the passing game," Brooking said. "That's key as well. When you get in his face, get around his legs and throw off the timing with his receivers it makes a really big difference in their passing game... Like every week we have to go in and not allow them to establish a run game and make it a one-dimensional game."
Pierre Thomas leads the Saints with 359 rushing yards and six touchdowns but the addition of Reggie Bush, who missed the previous game against the Birds, adds another wrinkle to the Saints offense. The scheme doesn't necessarily change with the No. 2 overall pick in the lineup but it does pick up another explosive element.
Bush rushed three times for zero yards last week but the Falcons aren't underestimating his talent.
"He's a guy that can take it to the house at anytime," defensive end John Abraham said. "He's a big-play guy. They do a lot of swing passes and things to get him the ball and into the offense. We have to be smart and know where he is at all times."
SHUFFLING THE CARDS: As the week began at Flowery Branch the Falcons thought they could be without the services of starting free safety Erik Coleman (quad). The free agent addition and team interception leader missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday but he returned to the field on Friday and, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, expects to play Sunday.
Rookie left tackle Sam Baker also returned to the field this week for the first time in more than a month. Baker underwent back surgery prior to the team's trip to Oakland. He was limited in practice and his status for Sunday is questionable.
With Baker playing a complete game the Falcons are a perfect 4-0 and rush for an average of 189 yards per game. He quietly went about his work earlier this season, allowing just one-half sack and not drawing attention for mistakes.
New Orleans added a 15th player to injured reserve on Thursday in starting safety Kevin Kaesviharn. He's the 10th defensive player to be lost for the season.
Visit the Saint Joseph's Injury Report for more Falcons and Saints injury news.
THE SKINNY: If the Falcons are to become the first NFC South team to win a division game on the road this season they'll likely have to do little things effectively.
"Our division, I think from top to bottom, is the toughest division in the NFL and I think our records speak that," Head Coach Mike Smith said. "Anytime in the NFL for the most part when you go on the road it's tough to play. We feel like when teams come into Atlanta we have a distinct advantage."
The Saints feel the same about the Superdome, where they are 5-1 on the season. New Orleans and Atlanta are the only two NFC South teams to lose a game at home this season. They were by a combined seven points.
So where are some of the small differences made? Field position and special teams.
Punter Michael Koenen is tied for 10th in the NFL with 20 punts inside the 20 yard line while Douglas has quickly emerged as one of the more dangerous return men in the league. He averages 18 yards per return, has scored three touchdowns in the past two games and is one of only nine players to have four or more returns for 20-plus yards (he's done it on just 10 attempts).
NUMBERS, NOTES AND COLORS: Some digits, info and hues to get you ready for Sunday's game against the Saints...
- The Falcons will wear white jerseys Sunday against the Saints.
- The Saints still rank in the top five in points per game and No. 1 in the passing game (405.3 yards per game).
- New Orleans has 1,060 rushing yards on the season. Turner has 1,208.
- Atlanta ranks 20 or lower in opponents' rushing and passing but is eighth in scoring defense (20.2 points per game).
- New Orleans has scored 114 points in the second quarter this season. The Falcons are best in the fourth with 96 points.
MORE ON THE FALCONS-SAINTS GAME:
- SCOUTING REPORT: Offensive speed, momentum key for successful trip
- FALCONCAST: J. Mike and Matt preview the Falcons-Saints game | Fantasy Football
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: Team Rallies Around Ryan
- NFL FILMS: Highlights and more preview info on Saints-Falcons | Playbook
- NOTEBOOK: Falcons, Saints reviewing film from previous meeting
- PREVIEW PACK: More on the Falcons game against the New Orleans Saints (PDF)
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith | Ryan | Abraham | Babineaux | Nicholas | McClure
- FOE AUDIO: Sean Payton | Lance Moore
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: Rivalry Fashion Show | Baker Returns to Practice | Birdseed
- OFF THE CUFF: Is that Todd McClure or Chuck Liddell?
- COMMUNITY: Brooking up for NFL Neighborhood MVP
- VANTAGE POINT: Highlights from the Birds win over the Chargers
- ONE-ON-ONE: J. Michael Moore recaps the Chargers game with Coach Smith
- CONFERENCE CALL: Smith talks about San Diego and previews the Saints
- RELEASE: Falcons issues statement on Grady Jackson
- NEWS: Ryan up for Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Week
