Tonight is more than just a football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football.

The game tonight signifies a reopening of New Orleans. A time to start over, fresh, and show the rest of the world the progress the city has made in the past year.

Just over a year ago the Superdome, where the Saints play their home games, was a disaster zone, literally.  The indoor stadium was used to temporarily house thousands of refugees stranded by Hurricane Katrina. Millions of dollars of damage were done to the Superdome because of the actual hurricane and also because of the thousands that stayed within the powerless dome for days.

The stadium has been refurnished and got the over due face lifted it much needed. It is not almost as fresh and new as when it opened over three decades ago.

Both teams are undefeated heading into the game tonight. The Saints have beat the Browns and Packers. The Falcons defeated the Panthers in week 1 and the Buc’s last week. 

Atlanta will be led by their speedy running game behind quarterback Michael Vick and running back Warrick Dunn.  The Saints will come at the Falcons with their balanced offense. Rookie do-it-all Reggie Bush, running back Deuce McAllister and quarter back Drew Brees will try to score quickly and often against a stouch Atlanta defense.

Atlanta is probably the better team and for sure has the better defense but look for the Saints to play with a lot of energy and adrenaline in front of their home crowd. The Saints should win this game but it will be close.

This season is the first in Saints history that they have sold out their season tickets. Reggie Bush is a huge reason for that, but also citizens dedicated to the city and keeping the Saints in New Orleans can be thanked for that.