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METAIRIE, La. -- It just got real.

The New Orleans Saints can finally start preparing for a game that counts -- and it’s a doozy. Week 1, on the road, against the division rival Atlanta Falcons.

The Saints will have more time to prepare for this matchup than almost any other opponent this season, with a bonus practice scheduled for Monday. But it’s not like they need it from a scouting standpoint. They certainly don’t need it from a motivational standpoint.

These teams know each other backwards and forwards, having battled for NFC South supremacy for the past six years, with mostly the same coaches, core players and systems in place.

Saints safety Rafael Bush, who almost joined the Falcons this offseason as a restricted free agent, came up with the perfect analogy on Friday.

“We play against these guys so much that it’s like playing your little brother or your big brother,” said Bush, who is friends with Falcons safety William Moore, among others. “You know each other very well, so it comes down to who’s the most detailed team and who makes less mistakes. And that’s pretty much been the outcome of these games. You now last year [the Saints’ win in Week 1], it could have been a tip away from losing that game. So it comes down to those small things.”

AsylumGuido

The Failclowns are our red-headed little step-brother and we are going to give them yet another wedgie.

homerj07

Barry from MS

If we beat them 56-3, I will be mad because they made a field goal...I so hate that team from Georgia.

Utah_Saint

Pluck the falcons.

pumpkindriver

can't wait for this one!!!