by John Bazemore - AP

A lot is riding on Matt Ryan's shoulders. Good thing you could park a Humvee on 'em. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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There's nothing that can be said about this game that we haven't covered already. Any way you slice it, it's going to be a good one, and I'm excited. Here's hoping for a win!

As usual, keep things lively here in the game thread. I will join you as soon as I can, my friends.

What? Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints, 8:30 p.m. ET

Where? Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Weather? Still a dome. Still no weather. Weather bad.

Fun Fact? We rarely get to play spoiler like this. Ending the Saints undefeated season this far in would be a first-time accomplishment for the Falcons. Just something to chew on.

Injuries? We covered this a bit earlier in the news post, but there's a lot of questionables. Kroy Biermann, John Abraham, Sam Baker, Jason Snelling, Thomas Johnson and Ovie Mughelli are some standout names. I expect most of them to play, because otherwise we're pretty well boned.

The Saints will be missing defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis and possibly linebacker Scott Fujita. Everyone else is probable.

Odds? New Orleans over Atlanta, 12.0, O/U 55.0

Foe? You all know our good friends over at Canal Street Chronicles. Enjoy our friendship now, because we may hate their guts after this game.

GO FALCONS! Let's defrock these Saints!

via www.whoateallthepies.tv

Yes, it's that time of year again. A time to dress up the kids as whatever ridiculous pop culture icon they want to be (ours were way cooler!), a time to wear a really terrible costume and get smashed, or simply a time to eat a lot of candy without being called Fatty McFatfat. Halloween really is pretty glorious.

With a huge divisional game coming up and a pretty intense six games under our belts, I thought this would be the perfect time to take a breather, especially because I'll be away from the computer for most of the day. Feel free to discuss the Falcons as usual, of course—it's what keeps me in business—but consider this an all-purpose holiday thread. Talk your favorite Halloweens through the years, the best costumes you wore, what you'll be wearing to whatever party you're headed to this year, or your favorite candy. I'm a Swedish Fish man, myself.

Have fun, kids!

by Paul Sakuma - AP

It's going to take a healthy dose of Michael Turner for the Atlanta Falcons to prevail today. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

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Normally I'd say something pithy and relevant up here, but I've got what feels like a battalion of armed germs lodged in my throat and a long day ahead of me, so I'm afraid this will have to do. This should be one hell of a game, though!

Keep it hopping in the game thread all afternoon, and if I'm functioning on even the most basic level, I'll see you there.

What? Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys, 4:15 ET

Where? Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Weather? Everything's bigger in Texas, so expect a sun which looms overhead and scorches the earth. Truck-sized raindrops are only a slight possibility.

Fun Fact? We've only faced the Cowboys three times since 2001, but we've beaten them twice. That's fun, right?

Injuries? Ovie Mughelli is still questionable, while Michael Turner is banged up but ready to go. Both William Moore and Jerious Norwood are doubtful. Antoine Harris is out once again.

Everyone on the Cowboy injury report is probable, so you'll probably see the lot of them. Little more concerned about our end of things.

Odds? Dallas over Atlanta 4.5, O/U 48.0

Foe? If you haven't already been visiting, check out Blogging The Boys, where Cowboys fans will be hanging out through the day. Play nice, kiddos.

GO FALCONS! Let's wrangle these Cowboys!

by William Cooley - AP

May this man be at least half as good as he was against the 49ers. Amen. (AP Photo/William Cooley)

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On paper, we match up very well against these Chicago Bears, what with their average secondary, struggling ground game and so forth. Of course, on paper I can draw myself sinking a battleship with a karate chop. That doesn't mean it's going to happen.

The Falcons will have to play like they did last week, smart and aggressive and with gritted teeth, in order to beat the Bears. Jay Cutler is the single biggest threat on either side of the ball, as he'll be looking to hook up on long touchdown passes and put us on our heels. This win would catapult us to 4-1 and if the Saints oblige us by losing, we'd be tied for the divisional lead. I think it's fair to call this a critical win.

Keep it lively in the game thread, and hopefully I'll see you there. Here's to a great game!

What? Atlanta Falcons vs. Chicago Bears, 8:20 p.m. EST

Where? Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Weather? Who cares? You have a roof over your head. Be grateful.

Fun Fact? Even though you already know this, it doesn't get much more fun than knowing the Bears were on the other end of our epic win last year in Chicago. Oh, it cheers me just to think of it.

Injuries? Jason Elam and Antoine Harris have struggled with injuries, but I expect Elam to play. Ovie Mughelli is a game-time decision (I wrote this earlier in the week, so I apologize if he's not), so there's that. The Bears could be without a few key defenders, including LB Hunter Hillenmeyer. Keep an eye on the injury report, which you can find here.

Odds? Atlanta over Chicago 3.5, O/U 45.5

Foe? Be sure to visit our friends over at Windy City Gridiron. They'll be talking Bears all day and hopefully cursing us out for beating them.

GO FALCONS! Let's maul these bears!

More photos » by Charles Krupa - AP

Neither rain nor 49er will stop Matt Ryan. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

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It's time to get back in the saddle, this time against a tough defensive team that would like very much to prove it's a contender. Sound familiar?

It's been a crazy week around The Falcoholic, so I apologize for the lack of a couple of familiar features. The important thing is that we're here today to (hopefully) witness a good game where the Falcons keep pace with the New Orleans Saints. In order to keep up in a competitive NFC playoff race (and yes, I know it's early), we better start piling those wins up early. Let's hope for 3-1.

See you guys in the game thread. May the Falcons kick butt!

Who? Atlanta Falcons and San Fransisco 49ers, 4:05 p.m.

Where? Candlestick Park ,San Fransisco, California

Weather? Sunny with a chance of Niners fans flooding the field with their tears.

Fun Fact? For the really young Falcons fans on this site, the Niners were once a hated division rival who made our lives miserable for quite a long time. What makes this fact fun, of course, is if we destroy them on Sunday and return the favor.

Injuries? Hat tip to the Official Site for their report. Jason Elam and Jerious Norwood are probable and virtual locks to play, while special teamer Antoine Harris is out. Hopefully we won't miss him too much for one game. The biggest names on the Niners end are Frank Gore (who's out) and LB Marques Harris (who is questionable).

Odds? San Fransisco over Atlanta 2.5, O/U 40.5

Foe? The talented Fooch and his merry band of trash talkers will be discussing the game over at Niners Nation. Be good sports if you head that way.

GO FALCONS! Let's give these Niners fool's gold!

More photos » by John Amis - AP

He's pointing at the bye week! Take that, bye week! (AP Photo/John Amis, File)

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Lost in a realm beyond our understanding, the Atlanta Falcons spin slowly through outer space during their week playing the fearsome Byes. While other teams grapple with mortal opponents, our guys are fighting the battle of their lives against a foe who has never been defeated. This is a landscape-altering game....or I'm on drugs. One or the other.

Since we don't have a Falcons game to discuss this weekend, use this thread to talk anything going on in your lives, anything related to the Falcons during this lame week of no good football or track the progress of our division rivals. I'm particularly interested to see how the New Orleans Saints will fare against a tough New York Jets defense, and I hope you'll talk about that.

I'll be working through the slate of 1 p.m. games (boo!), but I'll try to join y'all later. Take care out there.

More photos » by John Amis - AP

Right back atcha, Mike. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)

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Morning Falcoholics! You may have noticed a decrease in my frequency here on the site and for that I do apologize. I have been trying my best to deliver during this, my most busiest of weeks ever. Alas, I've been pretty scarce. All will return to normal, of that I can assure you.

On Saturday afternoon, I'm finally getting tied down. After what has seemed eons, the time to tie the knot has arrived and I've been busier than Matt Ryan in a film room. The honeymoon is scheduled to last until late Wednesday and it'll be football free. I'm afraid you're going to have to go ahead and count me out of any cool discussions, posts, or Dave Video Logs that may crop up in my absence. Once Thursday rolls around, it'll be back to business as usual. 

For those that do not follow me on twitter, here's a peek at my Falcons groom's cake. This little display greeted me when I got home from work yesterday afternoon.

Also greeting me via a USPS box was my preordered Michael Turner McFarlane Sportspick figurine. 

Those of you into these figures will note that this is not the mass produced retail version of the figurine. The widely available Turner sports the All Black rival uniform. The Red/White Turner is a limited run "Chase" figurine, as in not many were made and these are highly collectible. I don't plan to unbox it, but I also have a normal retail version on the way now. I will fiendishly rip that one open and set it along side my others on the bookshelf.

All in all, a great collection of Falcons stuff to come home to. Until Thursday, this is tlozwarlock, signing off.

More photos » by John Bazemore - AP

Games don't come much bigger than this for Mike Smith. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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This is a big one, guys.

We've talked the key points of this game to the brink of death, so we'll just jump right in to the important thing: The game itself. It's a winnable contest, but it's going to take nothing short of excellence from both sides of the balls. I don't doubt we can pull it off, even in the face of an unfavorable weather forecast.

I actually have the day off and will be joining you to chart the way through the game. Hope you'll take the time to stop by the site during the game!

Who? Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots, 1 P.M. EST

Where? Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Weather? Good chance of heavy rain. Really good chance of passing being affected.

Injuries? Jerious Norwood is extremely unlikely to play. The Patriots' injury report is a minefield because you never know if they're bluffing, but Jerod Mayo and Wes Welker are unlikely to play, Randy Moss is unknown and a host of cornerbacks are questionable. This is actually a pretty banged up roster.

Odds? New England over Atlanta 4.5, O/U 46.5

Foe? You'll be wanting to visit Pats Pulpit, where the Patriots love flows like wine. Be sure to visit and comment, but please be polite.

GO FALCONS! Let's beat these Patriots with muskets!