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So what will it come down to this time? A fourth-and-1 attempt in overtime? A missed field-goal attempt? A 90-yard touchdown drive? Two late defensive stands?

Each of the past four games between the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons has been decided by three points, so why should Monday night's showdown at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome be different?

As has become the norm, these longtime rivals will meet with an awful lot on the line. The Saints (11-3) can clinch the NFC South Division and stay alive for the conference's No. 2 seed. The Falcons (9-5) can clinch a playoff spot and stay alive in the division title race.

"We already know emotionally we don't have to get up for this game," New Orleans linebacker Jonathan Vilma said. "It's probably going to be about trying to calm your emotions so we can function, so we can do the things we need to do to win this game. It's a huge game for both sides. ... It's going to be a great battle and a lot of fun."

Full article.
Rivalry between the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons is reaching a boiling point - New Orleans Saints Football NFL News - NOLA.com

xan

Wow. This is the state of reporting these days. Drivel.

WhoDat!656

They might as well report that cats and dogs still don't get along!!

hagan714

heating up? what the hell are they talking about? since year one no matter how bad the saint teams were there was only one requirement put forth by the fans.

DO NOT LOSE TO THE FALCONS.

Ask any old time falcons fans the same and you will get the same responce.

I hate when writers try to be insightful only to show their ignorance of team history and the saints as a whole.

2 and 16 is acceptable as long as those two wins are against Falcons. Call it the boobie prize

RaginCajun83

Heating up? where have these clowns been the last 40 years? When Payton was hired all I wanted was for him to sweep the Falcons every year and I would be a happy fan. Well 6 years and a Superbowl later, the Saints are 9-2 against the Falcons

exiled

NOLA and ATL are more than football rivals.

which is why NOLA and ATL have been fierce rivals since NOLA came into the league... and through out our history we have been arguably the MOST fierce rivalry - for reasons more than on the grid iron.

Even though we were in different divisions until the merger we had real rivelry. New Orleans and Atlanta as cities (especially then) are the two extremes of southern culture. NOLA and ATL were the only southern teams

(Sorry I don't consider Texas or Miami all that "southern.")

We were "New." born in what was being called the NEW south. We had to be rivals. Which would predominate?

New Orleans with her rich tradition of art and expression? Or Atlanta with her ambition and greed?


Since the merger we have been fierce divisional rivals. How could we not?

Unquestionably as a fan of wither team THIS has been the game to watch.
Large swaths of both franchises history have been more a rivalry of which team was worse. But it was STILL the game to watch.

I think that because both of us had to face the Dynasty of SF twice a year for far too many years fanned the flames.

As the two teams have matured - now it is not just the game to watch as a Saints or Falcons fan but as an NFL fan.

In short I am proud of our heated rivalry and should be ranked among the top of the fieriest rivalry list.

"it is from the lost, your culture has always been found." - chandler (9th ward new orleans #2)

WhoDat!656

In short I am proud of our heated rivalry and should be ranked among the top of the fieriest rivalry list.

Especially how the big rivalries from the NFC East aren't as exciting anymore since those teams suck.

There is real hatred between these two teams and especially their fan-bases.

Rugby Saint II

I started hating Atlanta the first time I drove through it. Now it's "hate squared." I turned down a nice job offer when I found out I would have to move to Atlanta. Ugghhh.........

homerj07

KILL THEM - Kill them ALL!!!

iceshack149

How beneficial is it that Saints players get to stay home on Sunday with their families? If the Falcons players are with their families on Sunday, they're dreading the travel in the morning. If they spend Christmas in New Orleans, they're not with their family. Sucka's.