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.
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.
Fell to me knees in the Waffle House parking lot when I saw that r/nfl doesn’t care about today’s Dennis Allen Arthur Smith Chess Match
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.
Lol
Yep agreed
You’re not wrong. But as a Browns fan, the entire AFC North is like this.
I love the saints as much as a non fan can (I went to the dome reopening, and have been to several other games), but no. Those two teams haven’t been good at the same time long enough to make the games interesting.
It matters to us and that’s all that matters.
Jon Bois said it best. They are the NFL’s Beavis and Butthead.
It isn’t remotely interesting to anyone outside of those fanbases.
But this year there are Playoff Implications! But seriously, you’re absolutely correct. Assuming Carr will be playing, this will not be a fun game to watch at all
The only thing holding this rivalry back is the fact that the falcons and saints have only played each other in the playoffs like once. Very little playoff battles compared to Niners Seahawks or eagles cowboys.
what’s really holding this rivalry back is college football
It kind of makes the rivalry more impressive that we hate each other this much without any playoff matchups.
What a wild qualifier to have. How often are division rivals facing each other in the playoffs?! Denver has played the Chiefs once and Raiders twice.
To be fair no one outside your division cares about niners vs Seahawks, same as saints vs falcons.
Yeah but we’re not writing up posts about how unappreciated it is
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.
What makes u say that?
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
Agreed
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
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.
Fuck that. I wish the raiders could end up in the playoffs that way.
Isn’t there someone with a saints falcons flair? I wonder who they cheer for today
Brother we are not watching a damn saints-falcons game. LOL
I hate upvoting eagles flair, but damn it, you deserve it
And the Bucs have won more SBs that both lol
And they’ve also won the Lions’ division more recently than they have
The NFCS is the strangest division to me
It’s under appreciated bc we both suck. Fun for us. But I don’t blame you for not being invested if you’re not in the fanbases