The Saints and Falcons will add another chapter to one of the NFC South’s oldest matchups when they meet on Monday Night Football in Week 4, with New Orleans hosting Atlanta on Oct. 5 in the Caesars Superdome.
This rivalry has been going on since Nov. 26, 1967, when the Saints beat the Falcons 27-24 at Tulane Stadium in New Orleans’ inaugural season. The upcoming game will be the 114th meeting between the teams, postseason included, and Atlanta holds a narrow 58-56 lead in the series.
The two clubs have only crossed paths once in the playoffs, and it came on Dec. 28, 1991.
Atlanta won that NFC Wild Card game 27-20 at the Louisiana Superdome after trailing 20-17 entering the fourth quarter. The Falcons finished the game with 10 straight points, and Chris Miller’s 61-yard touchdown pass to Michael Haynes with 2:41 left put it away.
But the rivalry has produced far more than just one playoff classic. The game that still stands out most came on Sept. 25, 2006, in the Saints’ “Domecoming” return to the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina. That Monday night game became one of the most memorable in franchise history.
Steve Gleason’s blocked punt, which Curtis Deloatch recovered in the end zone for a touchdown, was one of the signature plays of the night. New Orleans rolled to a 23-3 win over Atlanta.
Now, 20 years later, the teams are set to meet again under the lights in the Superdome, with the NFL and New Orleans marking the anniversary of a game that carried meaning far beyond the final score.
In Other News...
Saints Suddenly Have A Backfield Problem They Can't Ignore
Travis Etiennes injury in Week 3 has left the Saints looking a lot thinner in the backfield than they were just a few days ago. With the run game already leaning on Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller as backup options, New Orleans suddenly has to sort through a position group that no longer looks as dependable or as explosive as it did when Etienne was available.
The Saints have already moved on from other running backs, which makes the depth issue even harder to ignore. If they want to steady the offense, they may need to look beyond the current room and consider outside help, with names like Zamir White or other free agents now part of the conversation as New Orleans tries to find some stability on the ground. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Just Exposed A Defensive Problem They Cant Ignore
Tyler Shough did enough on offense to give New Orleans a real chance Sunday, throwing four touchdown passes in the Saints' 35-27 loss to Las Vegas. Even with that kind of production under center, the result still turned on what happened the other way, where the Saints struggled to handle Brock Bowers and the Raiders' passing game.
Bowers, the rookie tight end, kept finding soft spots and matchup advantages against New Orleans, averaging nearly 12 yards per catch while helping tilt the game in Las Vegas' favor. The way Kubiak chose to start Bowers ended up mattering in a major way, and it left the Saints with a defensive issue they cannot afford to let linger. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Backfield Suddenly Has A New Problem Ahead Of Vikings Game
The Saints backfield took another hit when Travis Etienne Jr. left the game against the Raiders with a hamstring injury, adding to a running back picture that has already been unsettled. It comes at a rough time for New Orleans, which has leaned on depth and flexibility at the position while trying to keep the offense moving through the early part of the season.
Minnesota made the situation even more interesting by signing former Saints backs Devin Neal and Audric Estime to its practice squad after both were released by New Orleans because of injuries. With the Vikings set to visit in Week 5, there is at least a chance the Saints could be looking across the field at two familiar names, even as they wait to find out how serious Etiennes setback turns out to be. [Read more 🡒]