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The Saints' coaching staff has been emphasizing one particular stat this week, ahead of the Saints home opener against the Atlanta Falcons.

Historically, these two rivals punish each other until literally the final seconds.

"Seven of our last ten games with the Falcons, since Mike Smith has been the head coach, have been decided by the last possession," quarterback Drew Brees said. "Seven out of ten. It just goes to show you what type of battle it always is with these guys."

And how critical every snap can be.

Wednesday, several key players returned to practice for the Saints, including wide receivers Marques Colston and Nick Toon, as well as outside linebackers Junior Galette and Martez Wilson. All want to play Sunday and contribute to a contest the Saints hope will start this season on a high note.

"These are always close games, Brees said. "These are always hard fought games. There's always a lot at stake when we play each other. Week one, but it doesn't get any better than this."

"Well, if history repeats itself, it will come down to the fourth quarter," Atlanta's head coach Mike Smith said. "It's going to be the team who takes care of the football. Early in the season, I believe that turnovers are even more critical than any other part of the season. We are going to have to take care of the ball and try to take it away from them, and they're going to try to do the same thing to us. I think that's what it will come down to. The team that wins the turnover battle is probably going to win the game."

Saints are focused on one stat for season opener

"A Veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America" for an amount of "up to and including my life."