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The Atlanta Falcons don’t see any sense in letting themselves get enraged over the fact that they’re 3-13 against the Saints since quarterback Drew Brees arrived in New Orleans in 2006.

They simply respect New Orleans’ recent hegemony, attempt to block it from their minds and put confidence in offseason developments they’ve orchestrated as they prepare to face Brees and the Saints for a 17th occasion, this time to open their 2014 campaign at home at noon Sunday.

“Obviously, we have a lot of respect for them; and certainly, I have a ton of respect for Drew — I think he’s as good as it gets at this position and has played at a high level for a long time,” Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan said Wednesday of the MVP of the Saints’ victory in Super Bowl XLIV as well as the player who’s thrown for the NFL’s most passing yards (10,339) and second-most touchdowns (82) since 2012.

“(Yet) I don’t think it’s something we’ve worried too much about — what’s happened the last couple of years. Really, what it comes down to is this week and what we do this week.”

Falcons coach Mike Smith echoed that tune, insisting, “What happened in the previous six or seven years is going to have no bearing on the game being played on Sunday.”

Instead, what the coach who has a 3-9 mark versus the Saints since taking over the Falcons in 2008 hopes will begin reversing the course of an increasingly lopsided NFC South rivalry is a commitment to beefing up the lines on either side of the ball. What a quarterback who’s suffered defeats in five of his eight career match-ups with the Saints makes him believe could alter the story a bit is the return of a star receiver he largely did without last season.

Read more: The Atlanta Falcons aren't fazed by their recent struggles against the Saints | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, Louisiana

TheOak

I agree Mike, except for similar outcome, they have nothing to do with each other.

Mike Smith echoed that tune, insisting, “What happened in the previous six or seven years is going to have no bearing on the game being played on Sunday.”

saintfan

They still suck.

joker-saint

I feel like we are underestimating the falcons just a little bit. Let's not forget that they too are better at home. Not to mention after the disappointing season they had last year and getting another weapon back on offense they are poised to create a disappointment at some point this year for all of the teams that look past them. I'll bet Payton will be second guessing himself after this one and wish he had not let Bailey go. Can't wait to see the defense in action.

Mardigras9

I think going into THIS game, the Saints are just better at most aspects than the Falcons. Anything can happen in a division game in their house, so the Saints need to come out and set the tone early.

WhoDat!656

If the Saints lose to the failclowns because we didn't sign a 36 year old CB that could only manage to make it onto the field in a single pre-season game, (and promptly managed to get himself injured), then we might as well fold our tent now!

The only way the failclowns will beat the Saints is if we help them with sloppy play, penalties, turnovers, missed tackles, etc.

atltillidie

That's probably one of the reasons we've been struggling to beat the Saints. Yeah, it's water under the bridge, but Jesus, at some point you have to get pissed off.

Beastmode

7 Years does have a bearing on this season. Same coach and QB have been carving you up and they are back again.

homerj07

I'm nervous/anxious for every game.

The Fail-clowns though, they bring out a special - I don't know - Desire, maybe?

All I know is a win against the Clowns is soooooo much sweeter and good. A loss to the clowns, well that's like a bad burn. It hurts like hell when you do it and it is continually there to remind you how much it sucks.

But hey, maybe that's just me.

|Mitch|

With more weapons and a much better defense that's got their back