Tyler Shough has played the entire NFC South twice, but the Atlanta Falcons are the one team he hasn't beat, and those losses stung more to him because the weight of the rivalry between the Falcons and New Orleans Saints. Fans have been saying for years that this is one of the more underrated rivalries in the league.
"That's one of the most elite rivalries that I've been a part of," Shough told Chris Long. It's a sentiment that Long echoed. He told Shough that in retirement he's learned "there's a rivalry in the NFC South that might be nastier than any of them."
It's only been a year for Shough, but it isn't hard to get engulfed in the rivalry when you have Cam Jordan in the locker room. "His hatred is kind of felt, and he carries that on for us." That tracks, as Jordan doesn't miss a chance to take shots at the Falcons, and he has infinite bragging rights.
Saints vs. Falcons is the real NFC South rivalry
Just so we’re clear: this is THE rivalry in the NFC South. While it does appear that all of the opposing fans genuinely hate the Saints, this is the only rivalry that has equal hatred on both sides. The Buccaneers and Panthers are divisional rivals, while the Saints vs. Falcons is a true rivalry beyond just the divisional connection.
It’s a rivalry that doesn’t get as much credit because the franchises aren’t historic. The Bears have resided in the basement of the NFC North for the majority of the century, yet their rivalry with the Packers is still held in high regard. The Eagles and Cowboys battled it out for a mediocre NFC East for years without the rivalry taking much of a hit.
The Saints and Falcons don’t have this history as franchises or as a rivalry. When the Saints were really rolling, the Falcons weren’t consistently in the mix enough for the rivalry to take center stage like Steelers vs Ravens. Still, it’s a rivalry built on genuine bad blood.
The fan bases don’t miss a chance to verbally spar with each other on social media, and it bleeds into action on the field. Sean Payton once directed a choking gesture towards Falcons RB Devonta Freeman during the game, saying the emotions got the better of him.
In the midst of a tropical storm, New Orleans councilman Jay Banks used the Falcons as an example of what not to do during the storm. The rivalry is real, and it hasn’t lost any steam.
Saints vs Falcons may not have the history or attention of other rivalries around the league, but it has some of the best energy. It’s an energy that is felt any week they face off against each other. It’s also has iconic moments like the Domecoming, Gleason’s punt block specifically and their Thanksgiving showdowns.
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