The Saints and Falcons are very similar teams historically. They were formed only one year apart, the Falcons in 1966 and the Saints in 1967 respectively, as the first teams in the deep south (unless you’re counting texas). Almost like these two were made to hate each other.
But they are even more similar in the sense that they have historically, and excuse my wording here, sucked major ass.
Between 1967 and 1999, the Falcons had a total record of 198-295-5, the Saints had a record of 192-301-5 in that same span.
In terms of postseason success the Saints started out much worse, as they wouldn’t make the playoffs until 1987 and didn’t win a postseason game until the year of our lord 2000. 32 years after their inaugural season. The Falcons on the other hand would achieve both in 1978. However the saints would quickly catch up since 2000 and now both are tied up in playoffs wins with 10 each.
The Saints have of course, won a Superbowl in 2009 (although it is forever stained with a certain scandal), while the falcons have made 2 and lost both, the more notable one of course being their appearance in the 1998 when the 14-2 Falcons would fall to the John Elway led broncos.
All of this literary diarrhea just to say, This rivalry is something very special. My dad is a lifelong Saints fan and while being a fan of the saints wasn’t very easy back in the day, he said Falcons games were always a treat to look forward to. The all time series is now tied 54-54 and the Saints have a shot at taking the lead for the first time since their very first matchup in 1967, when the saints would win at home 27-24, and then immediately lose the next 9 games straight.
Brees and Ryan had some good shootouts against each other in the early 20teens.
Personally i love Bucs/ Saints
It was nice watching Brees/Brady shootouts for a year. Now all those games have is the Mike Evans vs. Marathon Lattimore grudge match.
The fans genuinely hate each other, but everything else about this rivalry is so corny and forced. This is not a must-see matchup like Eagles-Cowboys, any AFC North matchup, 49ers-Seahawks or Packers-Vikings. Stop trying to make Saints-Falcons a thing.
It’s a mid rivalry. There are worse ones in the NFL, sure, but this one is nothing special. It’s not up there with Packers-Bears, Cowboys-Commanders, Raiders fans and the police.
Not even in the top 10 best rivalries in football
In Louisiana or Georgia.
The NFCS is a forced divison that few care about
Cowboys fan calling anything forced is p funny. Ya’ll a forced good team that can’t accomplish shit in a two team division.
Saints Falcons were in the nfc west together
Funny you say. You see the Washington Redskins used to hold a monopoly on the Southern States. Everything below the Mason-Dixon Line was solid Redskins territory mirroring the old borders of the Confederacy. Until the Dallas Cowboys came around, largely why the Redskins wouldn’t allow the Cowboys to join as it took away that massive market until the cowboys then owner bought the rights to HTTR until The Redskins finally allowed their entry.
I grew up as the only football fan in my family and a falcons fan. No one ever told me to hate the saints but I have always hated the saints more than any other team.
When i visited new orleans and saw 28-3 grafitti everywhere i knew it was goated
I don’t understand why this wasn’t a thanksgiving game. Every turkey day game sucked. At least there’s some legit bad blood here.
“the more notable one of course being their appearance in 1998 when the 14-2 Falcons would fall to the John Elway led broncos”
That is the most notable one? 28-3 baby!!
Should be a fun watch today.
Battle of Shit Mountain
I love watching Derek Carr do nothing for 3 hours
Can’t believe one of our trash ass teams is gonna go to the playoffs
Even if we all sent a joint nfcs all star team I’m not sure they’d be favored
Is the QB Carr, Jameis, or Baker? Lol…that’s grim. As long as Arthur isn’t coaching I think it’d be ok. But who is the best NFC South coach? Arthur, Dennis Allen, Bowles, and Reich are the choices…yeesh.
Talented receivers in Evans, Godwin, Olave, and London at least and maybe the new coach can figure out Pitts and Bijan. Bijan + Kamara is a nice start to a backfield. Rachaad White looks good too.
But yeah serious coaching and QB deficiency in the division as a whole and they wouldn’t be favored. The defense might be good, Saints and Falcons both have (well had, RIP Grady) some nice pieces on defense.
Hot take: if the Falcons had signed Baker this offseason they’d be 8-2 and Arthur would be the obvious choice.
Agreed
Thank you for that. The pre-Brady Bucs fans are loving him and hopefully we lock him down for a few years.
Brees, Ryan, Cam…Jameis, Freeman, Glennon…haha
What makes u say that?
If Baker had gone to the Falcons, Smith would be trying to outsmart opposing DCs by running QB Draws up the middle 8-10 times a game.
Yeah but once you get there, anything can happen. #BeastQuake
Fuck that. I wish the raiders could end up in the playoffs that way.
And it is not impossible for the Panthers to be that team.
Panthers are out of this league in suck ass
I think it’s very impossible for this version of the Panthers to be that team. Bless their hearts.
Isn’t there someone with a saints falcons flair? I wonder who they cheer for today
I don’t think anyone outside their division cares. I would say it is correctly appreciated, that is to say ignored.
I respect how much they hate each other. Minutes after the Falcons blew that 25 point lead to the Pats everyone was either hating/appreciating the Pats or feeling bad for that pretty likable Falcons team. The Saints fans were already laughing at the Falcons.
Same. This game is just a mid-off for sure
Fair point from a Vikings fan.
Vikings fans definitely care about the Saints.
They show up in nearly every game day thread and still often randomly post on our sub. They’re insufferable.
You were supposed to have our backs! I thought we shared our hatred towards the Aints! I FAKED EVERY SKOL CHANT!
I don’t hate the Aints, I hate cheater Payton who is a vile human being and cheated his way into a superbowl that should have been taken away from him. Now that he’s gone meh.
Explain cheated. I get the bounty stuff, but that’s far from a cheat. Coming in peace, curious if I missed something.
You didn’t miss anything. Vikings fans still think that somehow it’s Payton’s fault that the Vikings had five turnovers in that NFC Championship game, including the crucial interception that Favre absolutely did not need to throw.
That’s just what Favre played like.
TIL Payton brain washed Farve to throw back across the field.
The vikings can not fail, they can only be failed.
Your own offensive lineman, Artis Hicks, went on record saying that the Vikings had a “pay to injure” program during the Favre years with players offering up hundreds of dollars or paying for dinners to “take a guy out.” He said that if hurting the opposing team’s best player helped them win, that it was “just business.” No Saints player, current or former, has ever admitted to being involved in any such program and the former Saints named in the supposed Bountygate investigation continue to deny ever being involved in any such program. So get the fuck outta here with your “cheater” horseshit.
Yeah sorry bud, but two bottom feeding franchises going back and forth hitting each other with their pillow hands isn’t exactly compelling to watch for the rest of us. That’s great you and your pops enjoy it, but it’s not exactly must see tv for anyone outside those fanbases.
Also, Super Bowl. Two words. Has been and always will be.