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NO EXCUSES: The New Orleans Saints must deliver in front of Superdome Crowd

By John Hendrix

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Head to Head since 2006

09/07/2013 – Atlanta Falcons 37, New Orleans Saints 34 (OT)
11/21/2013 – New Orleans Saints 17, Atlanta Falcons 13
09/08/2013 – New Orleans Saints 23, Atlanta Falcons 17
11/29/2012 – Atlanta Falcons 23, New Orleans Saints 13
11/11/2012 – New Orleans Saints 31, Atlanta Falcons 27
12/26/2011 – New Orleans Saints 45, Atlanta Falcons 16
11/13/2011 – New Orleans Saints 26, Atlanta Falcons 23 (OT)
12/27/2010 – New Orleans Saints 17, Atlanta Falcons 14
09/26/2010 – Atlanta Falcons 27, New Orleans Saints 24 (OT)
12/13/2009 – New Orleans Saints 26, Atlanta Falcons 23
11/02/2009 – New Orleans Saints 35, Atlanta Falcons 27
12/07/2008 – New Orleans Saints 29, Atlanta Falcons 25
11/09/2008 – Atlanta Falcons 34, New Orleans Saints 20
12/10/2007 – New Orleans Saints 34, Atlanta Falcons 14
10/21/2007 – New Orleans Saints 22, Atlanta Falcons 16
11/26/2006 – New Orleans Saints 31, Atlanta Falcons 13
09/25/2006 – New Orleans Saints 23, Atlanta Falcons 3

For those interested, that’d be 13-4 in favor of the Saints since Sean Payton arrived on the scene, and 9-4 since Mike Smith came on board.

Game and Series Notes

  • Marques Colston has three career 100-yard games against the Falcons (2008, 2011, 2014)
  • Four of the matchups have been decided in overtime: 1979, 2010, 2011, 2014
  • Of the 91 meetings, 29 of them have been decided by a touchdown or less
  • Since 2000, the Saints are 19-10 against the Falcons.
  • Of the 18 times Drew Brees has faced the Falcons, he has eleven 300-yard passing games and thirteen multi-touchdown games.
  • Speaking of Brees, his career stats against the Falcons: 464/688, 67 percent completion %, 5,473 yards, 35 TD, 20 INT, 96.3 QB Rating, 7.95 Yards Per Attempt
  • Mark Ingram needs 131 yards to become the first Saints 1,000-yard rusher since Deuce McAllister did so in 2006
  • Three Saints’ receivers are flirting with 1,000 yard seasons this year: Jimmy Graham (782), Kenny Stills (781), and Marques Colston (771)
  • Drew Brees is only 642 yards shy of another 5,000-yard season

If you’re relatively new to this rivalry, just understand that the vast majority of Saints fans despise Falcons fans, and vice versa. These were the first two NFL teams to be represented by the ‘deep south’. These franchises have shared players, coaches, and even families. Regardless of record, anytime these two teams play each other it’s sure to be a highly entertaining affair.

Arguably, we can thank the events of 2006 (return to the Dome after Hurricane Katrina) that ultimately fueled the spark between these two. Up until then, Atlanta and New Orleans were never considered a prime time marquee matchup on the big stage. Case and point, since 2006, Atlanta and New Orleans have met seven times on the prime time stage (five Monday Night Football games, two Thursday Night Football games). Before that? Twice.

There have been some claims by ‘Saints fans’ stating that the team should not focus on winning the division, and instead take the draft pick. Seriously, what are you talking about? Just look back at the Top 10 list of draft picks for the Saints since 2000, and you tell me how well that will fare. Actually, let me just make it easy on you:

1998 – Kyle Turley (7th Overall)

1999 – Ricky Williams (5th Overall)

2003 – Jonathan Sullivan (6th Overall)

2006 – Reggie Bush (2nd Overall)

2008 – Sedrick Ellis (7th Overall)

No, just no. If you’re honestly wanting the Falcons to come into the Mercedes-Benz Superdome to sweep the Saints because of a draft spot, then let’s just take away your so-called ‘fan’ card.

This promises to be a fantastic matchup because of the vaunted rivalry that exists between the two, and everyone realizes what a win could mean for the Saints. We all hope that the ‘real’ Saints show up to thrill us all.

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