(My Sportsbook) - The New Orleans Saints will look to recover from their second loss in three games when they host the Cleveland Browns this Sunday at the Superdome.

New Orleans has come back to Earth after its 6-1 start, falling into second place in the NFC South courtesy of new rival Atlanta. The Saints' last two defeats have come at the hands of the Falcons, including this past week's 24-17 loss at the Georgia Dome. New Orleans' offense was listless until the final minutes of the defeat, mustering just a field goal in the first three and a half quarters.

"We have a good team, but you are not going to win every game in this league. You want to win every time you go out there, but it is hard to do," said head coach Jim Haslett. "There are 32 good football teams in the NFL and everyone must play at such a high level all of the time."

New Orleans is fortunate to have a favorable schedule down the stretch as its next six opponents have combined to register a 24-36 mark. Also, four of the Saints' final six tilts are in the friendly confines of the Superdome.

"I just think we need to win a game," Haslett said Monday. "The most important thing is that we have four of these next six games at home. These next two games are important. We're not panicking by any means."

FINDING DEFENSE

The Saints continue search for answers on the defensive side of the ball this year. New Orleans ranks 13th in the NFC in total defense (362.9 ypg) and 14th in points allowed per contest (25.7 ppg).

The Saints have the personnel on the defense to get the job done, but things haven't been clicking this year. Defensive coordinator Rick Venturi hasn't been able to get a high level of production out of his unit.

Last week, the Saints allowed the Falcons to rush for 155 yards and pass for another 137. Michael Vick escaped contain, running seven times for 55 yards and a touchdown, while Warrick Dunn racked up 90 yards on 26 attempts.

Run defense was supposed to be the Saints' strength, as they rank 11th in the NFC (120.9 ypg). The Saints will need LBs Charlie Clemons and Darrin Smith to step up and make a bigger difference in the run defense this week.

"We're not going to tear down the house because of this one loss," Saints defensive tackle Grady Jackson said. "We've got to come back, bounce back; and we will."

Penalties were the undoing of the Saints' defense against the Falcons, as it was flagged nine times in the contest. Atlanta was nailed with a pair of crucial roughing the passer calls on third downs in the loss.

New Orleans will have to keep its composure this week if it expects to slow down the Browns' high-powered passing attack. The Saints will need a big game from their secondary, including CBs Fred Thomas and Dale Carter. Thomas and Carter will need help from S Sammy Knight as well.

DEs Darren Howard and Willie Whitehead will need to get pressure on Couch and force him into quick throws. Howard leads the squad with 5.5 sacks, while Whitehead has posted three. Rookie DE Charles Grant needs to be a force as well in this contest.

COMING UP: The Saints' schedule gets no easier next week when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers come to town.