Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

I think of the kittens as an annoying little brother.

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton said in his I'm-not-going-anywhere press conference last week which team he considered to be his team's chief rival.

And it's not the Atlanta Falcons.

"Carolina," Payton said. "We've got to find a way to catch those guys. When people ask me about the Atlanta rivalry, I think in our division rivalries start with who is on top."

Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons? | NOLA.com

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

ATL is more like the whipping boy... In order to have a true rivalry the games need to be competitive.

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

We beat Atlanta's a$$ on a regular basis, Paytons got their number. Payton needs to get after the Panthers they are a thorn in our side right now. But things will change if we get a D.

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

He probably just said it to rub salt in the wound a little more in ATL
Truly though, Carolina is the team to beat, but that doesn't make them more of a rival

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

The panthers have been more competitive against us on the field, but the REAL rivalry between the Saints and Falcons is between the fans.

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Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

Top 5 Rivalries in the NFL

(1) Bears vs Packers

(2) Redskins vs Cowboys

(3) Falcons vs Saints

(4) Steelers vs Ravens (Old Browns)

(5) Raiders vs Chiefs

(HM) Rams vs 49ers

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?

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Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

When they lost to Atlanta a lot of that worry was aleviated but they are likely getting to the NFC title game and Arizona will have to do what SF did likely against Atlanta with Ryan which is keep Cam out of endzone or the other way around with Palmer trying to score.

And if Carolina wins that game and the AFC winner picks the home uniforms(the only team who would do this is Denver), Carolina will probably win and my NFL experience will likely be dunzo.

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

As a Saints fan that moved up to NC at the age of ten, I can't help but feel Carolina is a true rival.

Obviously the Failclowns are rivals.

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

I hate Cam Newton more than Matt Ryan, so I'd say yeah.

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

I will say Carolina has made a big leap in recent years, but IMO the biggest rival is still and probably will always be the Atlanta Falcons. Beating the Falcons twice this year made this painful season a lot more tolerable.

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

1 Falcons - long long history
2 panthers
3 bucs

rest of the nfl

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

I think Payton is on the right track, the Panthers are the team we need to learn how to beat, we need to be on their level or better, in order to attain the prize.

I know I'm exaggerating a bit here, but I've always felt like Sean Payton was the FIRST Saints head coach to ever really understand the Falcons rivalry and truly grok its importance to the fan base and the ownership...the road to a good Saints season goes through beating Atlanta, period end of story. The years that we do well, are the years that the Falcons do poorly, and the years that they beat us, are usually down years for us overall.

Carolina runs the table and owns the banners right now; that makes them a rivalry and a team to beat. But from the very first game against them in '06, Sean Payton has intuitively understood how much it means to the Saints fan base to beat the Falcons, he appreciates and knows that history, and somehow I feel like I never really got that strong of a powerful feeling about it, from Mora, Ditka, Haslett, or any of the other good Saints coaches. The fact that Payton has owned the Falcons so strongly, he's almost obsessively found ways to beat the crap out of them year after year, through different Falcons coaches and players and regimes, it shows me that he GETS IT the same way that the fans get it.

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

Let me tell you why agreeing with you makes so much sense...

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...d18e01926d.jpg

REMEMBER THE OPPOSITE OF LOVE IS FEAR. :love:
This is a primal instinct and who fears the Falcons?

The Saints are 15-5 in the past 20 games with Sean Payton.
I certainly don't fear them. Show some respect for how much they suck.
I actually love them and I wished we played them every week.
We'd be a lock to win make the payoffs and win the Superbowl every year.

I LOVE THE FALCONS. :hott:

I love when we beat them.
I love when they lose to other teams.
I love how their fans leave the stadium crying.
I love when we beat them. (I had to say that again)
I love how they never win the Superbowl.
I could go on...

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...e81591e02d.jpg

I certainly don't fear playing them. In fact every year I look forward to it.

SCORES OF SAINTS vs FALCONS PAST 20 GAMES

Sept 25, 2006 New Orleans 23 Atlanta 3 ATL 44-31
Nov 26, 2006 New Orleans 31 Atlanta 13 ATL 44-32
Oct 21, 2007 New Orleans 22 Atlanta 16 ATL 44-33
Dec 10, 2007 New Orleans 34 Atlanta 14 ATL 44-34
Dec 07, 2008 New Orleans 29 Atlanta 25 ATL 45-35
Nov 02, 2009 New Orleans 35 Atlanta 27 ATL 45-36
Dec 14, 2009 New Orleans 26 Atlanta 23 ATL 45-37
Dec 27, 2010 New Orleans 17 Atlanta 14 ATL 46-38
Nov 13, 2011 New Orleans 26 Atlanta 23 ATL 46-39
Dec 26, 2011 New Orleans 45 Atlanta 16 ATL 46-40
Nov 11, 2012 New Orleans 31 Atlanta 27 ATL 46-41
Sept 8, 2013 New Orleans 23 Atlanta 17 ATL 47-42
Nov 21, 2013 New Orleans 17 Atlanta 13 ATL 47-43
Oct 15, 2015 New Orleans 31 Atlanta 21 ATL 49-44
Jan 03, 2016 New Orleans 20 Atlanta 17 ATL 49-45

Nov 09, 2008 Atlanta 34 New Orleans 20 ATL 45-34
Sept 26, 2010 Atlanta 27 New Orleans 24 ATL 46-37
Nov 29, 2012 Atlanta 23 New Orleans 13 ATL 47-41
Sept 07, 2014 Atlanta 37 New Orleans 34 ATL 48-43
Dec 21, 2014 Atlanta 30 New Orleans 14 ATL 49-43

So my point on all of this is...
I HATE CAROLINA AND FIG NEWTON. :censored:

http://cdn.gagbay.com/2013/06/mad_cat_is_mad-296143.jpg

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

Personally i just say screw everyone else in the league,but doubly screw the rest of the NFC South.








Oh and the Whiners







And the Seahawks






And the Patriots



You know what doubly screw the rest of the league

And triple screw Pete Carroll

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

You forgot Dallas and Chicago. ;)

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

You build rivalry's on history and time... Panthers have none of that.

I would argue if 49er's were still in our division I would think the 49'ers would be our biggest rivalry.

The only argument that can be made is that the Panthers won the division so as of now we are chasing them to beat them... but the real rivalry is the Falcons. Although its not only a team vs team thing I think it is also City vs City thing as well.

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

Pittsburgh vs Cinci will be moving up on the list, and I would say Seahawks v 49ers as number 5

Raiders v Chiefs has history, but I don't know that anyone has paid attention in the past 20 years

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

Don't know about the whiners -hawks thing, but yeah, Bengals-spittsberg's gotta be at the top right now.

I thought Denver-KC had something going too.

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

The teams in the NFC south were built to beat the Saints. The Panthers have done just that. The question is can Payton rebuild this team to beat the Panthers?

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

Carolina is the first real threat to tying us since we won the sb. Atlanta was not beating Baltimore. But Carolina can beat Denver and NE(maybe).

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

Carolina is a more formidable team...

But the hate is still Atlanta.

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

Agreed Atlanta will always be the Saints most hated opponent. Although I have to admit when Ratman Smith was Coach it was more fun to hate. However there are a lot of close seconds out there. In regards to the Panthers, Riverboat Ron doesn't bother me. Cam and the owner Richardson are a different story.

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

Has to still be the Falcons. I can stomach a 2-14 season as long as the two wins are against them.
My biggest issue with the Panthers is Newton and his childish antics on the field. Now you have that DB, his name escapes me now, who is just an outright thug.

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falcon...Saints_rivalry

First Meeting - November 20, 1967 - NO 27, ATL 24

Atlanta currently leads the all-time series 49-45 (48-45 regular season, 1-0 playoffs). Each team has appeared in one Super Bowl, the Saints winning Super Bowl XLIV while the Falcons lost in Super Bowl XXXIII.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...lry-in-the-nfl

If you've never attended a game between these two teams to understand what I'm referring to, I encourage you to add it to your football bucket list. The games almost never lack for excitement.

You can also be sure that when fans on both sides saw this matchup on the schedule for Week 1, they initially rejoiced before cursing the NFL schedule makers for putting them in position to have an anxiety attack the first week of the season.

http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2014/12...saintshateweek

Saints fans are a die-hard group that show the sort of enthusiasm and class you would expect of people from a place built on the pillars of smelly bars and creepy pickpockets. Their local economy is based predominantly on scamming visiting bachelorette parties and $9 drinks in the only place in the world that is hotter and more humid than Atlanta.

You can expect the loud fans to make it to Sunday's game, creating trouble for Atlanta's offense... if they make bail.

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

Not a snowballs chance in hell have the Panthers passed up the Falcons as a rival to the Saints. When it comes to Carolina, I just want them to lose. Atlanta, I want them blown out each and every week

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

NO!!! I hate the falcons more than the panthers. If Carolina can win it all, all the teams in the NFC south will have a superbowl championship except the failcons. That will kill the dirty bird fans.

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

I think its a close call!

The Panthers have made big improvements this year and you have to give them credit for that! Also Iv'e seen those game film clips of Newton showing his kind side with those kids on the sideline, taking time to go over and talk to them and have a few pics taken with them etc. Not every NFL QB would do that!
Also, credit the guy for playing so well this year!
I still hope they lose against the Seahawks though! :-)

Falcons were awful this season, especially after a very good start and I loved it when there season went belly up and I have to admit the funniest thing is when you see all their fans leaving before the end of their games!

So IMO the main rivalry is still with the Falcons but if the Panthers carry on the way they are then the rivalry may shift in seasons to come!

So glad SP is with us for at least another season and I hope Drew will be also!

Now go and get us some decent players for the D next season and lets get back into the playoffs.

I don't like these short seasons I'm already missing my Saints football! :-)

GEAUX SAINTS!

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

I really don't think we are that far away as long as we have a healthy Drew. I still don't think Carolina is as good as their record either.

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

This will probably be taken as a slight to those Saints fans that live outside the region, that have been fans for less than fifteen years or those that haven't received a true initiation into Saints fandom in a game vs the Falcons...

Make no mistake, none; but their is no more intense rival than Falcons vs Saints...

We can all disagree and have valid opinions on what defensive front seven scheme should be run, what the draft priorities should be and that Roman Harper couldn't cover a grandmother in a wheelchair but...

We'll have other teams, players we'll hate on for a time, but...

Baby, it's all about sticking it to those redbirds at least twice a year...

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

We crumbled in the last game vs panthers.

Our defense for the first time in forever forced 3 turnovers in the first half.

They just allowed a scoring drive before half time and gave all the momentum to Carolina, we didn't stop them in the second half.

A top 20 defense and we would have won atleast 3-4 more games.

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

No, the Failclowns will always be the ones.

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

A team can only be a rival if they are in it to win it every year. Is Carolina THAT TEAM? They have been the last few years. Time will tell. I know for sure we are THAT TEAM. The fact that we are keeping the Payton/Brees era alive for the foreseeable future speaks volumes. So, if Carolina continues to be for reals -- then yes.

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

I think the Falcons v Saints is more of a rivalry to the fans.

Competition wise; its got to be Saints v Panthers

By the way, I'm really impressed with how good they've played this year.

Re: Are the Panthers bigger rivals for the Saints than the Falcons?
 

All division teams are rivalries but the Failclowns will always be the top rivalry due to close proximity and the timing of entering the league with the Saints. They entered the league one year ahead of the Saints so they always thought they were better than us and for at least 3 more years the record will reflect that even though we have own them for the most part in the last 20 games.