Tyler Shough didn’t need long in the NFC South to figure out where the real heat lives.
He’s seen the division twice over, but the Atlanta Falcons are still the one team he hasn’t beaten, and those losses hit harder because of what that matchup means in New Orleans. Saints fans have been calling this one of the league’s most underrated rivalries for years, and Shough sounded like he’d already caught the bug.
"That's one of the most elite rivalries that I've been a part of," Shough told Chris Long.
Long, for his part, didn’t push back. 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."
That kind of talk makes sense once you spend any time around the Saints. Even in a short stint, Shough has already absorbed the edge that comes with having Cam Jordan in the locker room.
"His hatred is kind of felt, and he carries that on for us."
Jordan has never been shy about the Falcons, and he’s got the kind of bragging rights that keep the jabs coming.
And really, this is the rivalry in the NFC South. The Buccaneers and Panthers are divisional opponents, sure, but Saints-Falcons is the one with the equal and mutual dislike that makes a true rivalry sing. It goes beyond the standings and beyond the schedule.
Part of why it doesn’t always get the same shine as other famous feuds is simple: these aren’t historic franchises in the way some of the league’s other heavyweight pairings are. But lack of pedigree hasn’t stopped the bad blood from building.
When the Saints were at their peak, the Falcons weren’t consistently strong enough to turn the matchup into the league-wide event it might have become. Even so, the animosity never went away.
The fans certainly haven’t cooled off. They go at each other constantly online, and the tension has shown up on the field too. Sean Payton once made a choking gesture toward Falcons running back Devonta Freeman during a game, later saying the emotions got the better of him.
The rivalry has even spilled outside football. During a tropical storm, New Orleans councilman Jay Banks used the Falcons as an example of what not to do during the storm.
It may not have the same national reputation as some other NFL grudges, but Saints-Falcons has the kind of energy that jumps off the field every time they meet. The Domecoming, Gleason’s punt block specifically and their Thanksgiving showdowns are part of that history, and they’ve helped make this matchup feel like something more than just another divisional game.
In Other News...
Kellen Moore Might Finally Get The Saints Weapon They've Been Missing
A hypothetical draft board can change the way a teams future looks in a hurry, and this one gives the Saints a chance to imagine a very different kind of offense. In the seven-round scenario, New Orleans lands Jordan Love early and then circles back for Malik Nabers, a receiver whose burst and route-running would fit neatly into the kind of passing game Kellen Moore has tried to build around playmakers who can win after the catch.
The appeal is obvious because Nabers already looked like a difference-maker as a rookie, and the comparison to CeeDee Lamb only sharpens the picture of what Moore might be able to shape in New Orleans. The lingering question is whether the board would ever break that cleanly for the Saints, because in this setup Nabers is still there late enough to become the kind of value pick that can tilt a draft and give Moore the weapon this offense has been missing. [Read more 🡒]
Former Saints Champion Just Resurfaced In Deion Sanders' Staff Shakeup
Deion Sanders has kept the Colorado staff in motion, and the latest additions bring in two former NFL players with a familiar connection to his new defensive coordinator. Pierson Prioleau and Xavier Adibi have been hired as defensive quality control analysts, giving the Buffaloes more experience on the defensive side after a recent run of turnover on the sideline.
For Saints fans, Prioleaus name still carries some weight from his days as a New Orleans champion, and now he is resurfacing in a different role under Sanders. Both hires worked with new defensive coordinator Chris Marve at Virginia Tech, which gives Colorado some continuity as it tries to settle the staff after the departures of Marshall Faulk and Warren Sapp. [Read more 🡒]
Tyler Shough Just Sent A Strong Message About Saints Wideouts
Tyler Shough has not been shy about what he sees when he looks at the Saints receiving room. Speaking on Chris Longs podcast, the quarterback praised Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson as the kind of pass catchers who can make life easier on an offense, pointing to their speed, route-running and ability to create plays after the catch. For a New Orleans team trying to build chemistry around its young quarterback, those are the kinds of early impressions that matter.
Shoughs comments also offered a glimpse into how he views Tyson beyond the highlights. He acknowledged the receivers injury history, but made it clear he is still eager to get to work with him this season. The Saints have spent plenty of time looking for more reliable explosiveness on the outside, and Shoughs confidence in both receivers suggests he already sees a pairing with real upside if they can stay on the field. [Read more 🡒]