The last time these two teams met, it came down to the wire and some Michael Vick maneuvering but the Atlanta Falcons edged out the New Orleans Saints 37-35.

	Aaron Brooks and Michael Vick shake hands after the Falcons beat the Saints earlier in the season.

Coming off a four-game win streak and the first NFL tie in five years, the Atlanta Falcons are on the brink of becoming a big-time playoff contender. They're maybe five or six plays, and two or three players away from being a full-time force. They've got all the pieces of the puzzle -- it's just not solved yet. Still, as it is, the Falcons are a playoff contender. They're a threat and they're dangerous.

The 7-2 Saints are coming in with something to prove -- they owe Atlanta. We've seen them play down to their competition and they've let a few games slip away, but you can't underestimate the pure talent on this team. With their confidence and gifts, New Orleans shouldn't be hoping to win the division -- they should own it. With a bunch of budding stars, the Saints are about a year away from being spectacular. They're hungry for a win on Sunday, in Atlanta.

Five keys for the Falcons
1. Establish the Run: In their last meeting, the Falcons were without T.J. Duckett but successfully established the run with Warrick Dunn (142 yds on 23 carries) and Vick (91 yards on 10 carries). With Duckett back in the lineup, the Falcons need to utilize both backs, get the running game going early, and keep it going to wear down the Saints defense -- keep 'em honest. If they can move the ball on the ground and keep that defense off Vick, it give him a chance to do some damage.

2. Make Big Plays: Indoors at the Georgia Dome, you can bet the Saints will make big plays and score points, so you've got to match them. So, whether it's via the run or the pass, Atlanta needs at least five or six chunk plays of over 20-yards. They need to create runs after the catch and big plays down field. To beat a high-powered Saints team, you must score points.

3. Limit Saints' touchdowns: Atlanta's defense must keep an explosive Saints offense to three touchdowns or less. That means, prevent the big play, wear them down and force them to be one dimensional -- force them to do things that are uncharacteristic. I don't care if it's pop the bus tires, Atlanta needs to limit the Saints scoring to three touchdowns or less.

4. Assist Vick: It's great and fine and dandy that Vick is can be a one-man-show, but that can't happen all the time. Help the guy out, don't make him do it alone. The rest of the team needs to pick up slack -- and that includes special teams.

5. No turnovers: Turnovers are not allowed. When you turn the ball over, you give up big plays and allow the Saints extra opportunity to stay in the game. The Falcons can not afford to let that happen. So grip it, avoid the hit after the reception and laying it on the ground for a fumble, and protect Vick when he's passing; protect the ball the entire game.

Five keys for the Saints
Five 1. Remember the Packers: Every time the Saints lose, they drop another game behind in the home-field-advantage race. They do not want to end up facing the Packers at Lambeau Field in the playoffs. Furthermore, they don't want to end up in Philadelphia either, they want to be at home. So, when they're tired and worn out, they need to keep the Packers in the forefront of their minds.

2. Continue Red zone Efficiency: No NFL team is better than the Saints inside the red zone, they're as good as it gets. Some teams may get in more, but none scores more when they're there. To beat the Falcons, they must continue that success. They can't settle for field goals, they must score touchdowns. If they settle for field goals, they will lose.

3. Brooks much protect the ball: Aaron Brooks is a spectacular quarterback but, at times, he has a tendency to force the ball. He's got to protect the ball by keeping his players close and avoiding Falcons' players. He's a star, but when balls get tipped, bad things happen. Brooks has got to protect the football.

4. Anyone but Vick: The Saints can not allow Vick to take over this ball game. If you're going to get beat, at least make someone else do it. Dunn played well in their last meeting, make him beat you. Or pick a receiver and let him beat you. Anyone but Vick.

5. Make Vick one dimensional: Not the entire offense, just Vick. I would rather him beat me with the pass than with the run. He's a good thrower, but he's a great runner. If the Saints lose because Vick throws for 400 yards, so be it, I'd suck that up. But they can not allow Vick's feet to beat them. They must make him a one-dimensional player and force him to be spectacular through the air to beat you. If New Orleans can do that, they'll have a got shot at winning on Sunday.

Sean Salisbury covers the NFL for ESPN.