The Atlanta Falcons are marching into New Orleans to take on the Saints after an impressive 35-14 win over Green Bay. With both teams tied for first and the Carolina Panthers holding a 1-2 lead, a lot is on the line under the prime-time lights of Monday Night Football.
If you ask fans of either team, they will tell you the Saints-Falcons rivalry is one of the NFL’s most heated. At the end of the 2023 season, veteran backup quarterback Jameis Winston ran an impromptu, go-on play with seconds left on the clock so his running back could score the first touchdown of the season. That play not only drove the nail into coach Arthur Smith‘s era in Atlanta, but also both enlightened Saints fans and enraged Falcons fans.
Since then, the Falcons have gone 3-1 against the Saints under former head coach Raheem Morris. They split the series in 2024, with each team winning in its own stadium. In 2025, the Falcons swept the Saints and reclaimed the all-time regular-season lead with a record 57-56.
The Saints would love to tie the regular-season lead, but they also have something else to play for.
This is the 20th anniversary of the Saints’ return to the Superdome. This followed Hurricane Katrina. You remember the Steve Gleason block punt game? Gleason, who has ALS, even has a statue outside of the Caesars Superdome to commemorate the event.
The entire country supported New Orleans in their moment of triumphant return. Unfortunately for the Falcons and their fans, they were on the wrong side of that history.
Beyond the rivalry narratives, both teams are in a similar place. Both teams have young quarterbacks. They hope to take over the reins and become franchise guys; both teams are currently being propped up by their defense. Both teams are trying to figure out what life looks like without franchise quarterbacks, Drew Brees or Matt Ryan, behind center.
The Saints will do their best to slow down RB Bijan Robinson and WR Drake London after their 194-yard performances in Green Bay. With linebackers Demario Davis and former Falcon Kaden Elliss on the injury report, that may be difficult. If they can slow those two down, TE Kyle Pitts and rookie receiver Zachariah Branch could benefit.
The New Orleans Saints just put running back Travis Etienne Jr. on injury reserve, leaving veteran running back Alvin Kamara with a larger workload, returning from a knee injury. Though young quarterback Tyler Shough has looked good, it would be ideal to have a running back to take pressure off of him, especially against a team that’s top in pressure rate. This could be an advantage the ‘Falcons’ defensive line should be able to exploit.
The Falcons’ secondary has to be careful not to let star wide receiver Chris Olave or TE Noah Fant get behind them for explosive plays. Keeping everything in front of them while tackling quickly does wonders for this defense.
The Falcons are looking to increase their all-time lead over the Saints and improve their positioning in the NFC South race on Monday Night Football in New Orleans. New Orleans is looking to have a magical 20th-anniversary Katrina return game. Only Monday night will show us who’s victorious, but I’m predicting a 21-24 Falcons win.
