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FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons coach Mike Smith is the winningest coach team history with a record of 56-24, but he has not fared well when matching wits with New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton.

Smith and Payton’s teams play again in the NFL season-opener at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

This will be Payton’s first game back from his suspension for his role in the notorious Bounty Gate scandal.

The Falcons led the series 46-41, but the Saints have a 11-3 advantage over the Falcons since Payton took over in 2006.

Here’s a look at the previous meetings:

Home -- Sun., November 9, 2008, W, Falcons 34, Saints 20: The Falcons had three interceptions, including a 95-yard interception return for a touchdown by Chevis Jackson. The Falcons dropped into zone coverage and batted down 14 of Drew Brees' passes.

Away -- Sun., December 7, 2008, L, Saints 29, Falcons 25: The Falcons couldn’t hold a 25-22 fourth-quarter lead. Pierre Thomas, who had 16 rushes for 102 yards, scored on a 5-yard touchdown run with 5:54 to play to secure the victory.

Away -- Mon., November 2, 2009, L, Saints 35, Falcons 27: The Saints, who were on their way to a Super Bowl victory, won to improve to 7-0.

Home -- Sun., December 13, 2009, L, Saints 26, Falcons 23: Garrett Hartley kicked a field goal with 4:46 left for the victory. The Falcons were without quarterback Matt Ryan, who was out with a turf toe injury.

Away -- Sun., September 26, 2010, W, Falcons 27, Saints 24: After Hartley missed a 29-yard field with 9:03 left in overtime, the Falcons pulled it out on a Matt Bryant 46-yard field goal. This was the Falcons only victory in the Superdome since 2003.

Home --Mon., December 27, 2010, L, Saints 17, Falcons 14: Saint quarterback Drew Brees passed for 302 yards in the close affair.

Away -- Sun., November 13, 2011, L, Saints 26, Falcons 23: The Saints pulled this one out in overtime.

Home -- Mon., December 26, 2011, L, Saints 45, Falcons 16: The Falcons were routed and embarrassed as Brees was throwing into the end zone to get a record at the end of the game. The Saints wrapped up the NFC South title with the victory. The Saints were near flawless. Brees entered the game needing 305 yards passing to break Dan Marino’s record for most passing yards in a single season. The mark of 5,084 yards set in 1984. He tossed a 9-yard touchdown pass to running back Darren Sproles with 2:51 left in the fourth quarter for the mark.

Falcons coach Mike Smith is 2-6 vs. Sean Payton | Atlanta Falcons | www.ajc.com

QBREES9

Hang your head Mike.

Rugby Saint II

Make that 2-7.

TheOak

How does the discussion make it past the title?

It's called being out classed.

homerj07

Death & taxes aren't the only sure things. The Clowns losing in the Dome is another.