There are still some real rivalries in the NFL. The kind of rivalries where there’s bad blood between two teams, and the fan bases hate each other. The New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons certainly fall into that category. Every year, they make it clear that it’s real smoke between the two teams.
Saints fans will never cheer for the Falcons, and Falcons fans will never cheer for the Saints. Well, at least that’s how it’s supposed to be, but sometimes life’s circumstances lead to a few rules being broken. That’ll be the case in Week 18, as the Falcons will be pulling for a Saints win to clinch a playoff spot.
Falcons need the Saints to win to clinch a playoff spot
Atlanta played the Washington Commanders in Week 17 on Sunday Night Football, and it was a great game between two talented rookie quarterbacks. Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. led a clutch drive to tie the game and force overtime, but Washington got the ball first, and Jayden Daniels ended the game with a touchdown drive.
While it was a great game for fans to enjoy, the result had massive implications for Atlanta’s playoff hopes. With a win, the Falcons would’ve been in control of their destiny. However, the loss put them a game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South. So if the Falcons are going to make the playoffs, they have to win in Week 18, and Tampa Bay has to lose.
The Falcons are playing the Carolina Panthers and the Buccaneers are playing the Saints. That means for at least one day, Falcons fans will be Saints fans, and that’s a brutal reality. New Orleans’ fans are already joking about how Atlanta is at the mercy of the Saints, and how New Orleans could be petty and ensure the Falcons miss the postseason.
However, we know teams aren’t going to throw games to affect the playoff picture— especially a team as prideful as the Saints under Darren Rizzi’s lead. Unfortunately for the Falcons, that hasn’t made much of a difference this year, as New Orleans has repeatedly been embarrassed. Atlanta might as well prepare to be on the couch with the Saints when the postseason starts.