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ATLANTA — When it was over, when 71 points sent sparks shooting from the Georgia Dome scoreboards and the teams combined to melt the artificial turf for 1,040 yards and the lead changed hands like a relay baton five frantic times after halftime, the Atlanta Falcons celebrated victory over their most hated rival by turning the New Orleans Saints’ signature chant into a bitter taunt.

“We dat!” the Falcons faithful yelled. “We dat!”

The objective eye will look at Sunday’s 37-34 overtime Saints loss to the Falcons and see an incredible game, a true classic in the Deep South’s best and most passionate pro football rivalry.

But there’s no objectivity when it comes to the Saints and Falcons.

History is written by the winners, and the Falcons will write this up large in their annals as one of their franchise’s greatest wins.

The Saints will mourn an opportunity lost and wonder if an offseason of bright promise and enormous expectations has merely been deflected or suffered a mortal wound.

There is no room for rational perspective when the Saints and Falcons play. There is only overwrought emotion, unbridled euphoria or doomsday-grade despair.

The Saints have enough talent, coaching and time to heal 100 percent from this loss. Come February, black and gold-clad Saints fans may well be in Glendale, Arizona, lubricating themselves with margaritas for the Super Bowl and remarking, “Remember how worried everyone was when we lost in Atlanta? Bartender — another round!”

New Orleans right tackle Zach Strief’s margarita glass is still half-full.


Read more: Rabalais: This Saints loss stings, but there’s a whole season left to turn it around | Saints | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.