The Saints and Falcons are very similar teams historically. They were formed only one year apart, the Falcons in 1966 and the Saints in 1967 respectively, as the first teams in the deep south (unless you’re counting texas). Almost like these two were made to hate each other.

But they are even more similar in the sense that they have historically, and excuse my wording here, sucked major ass.

Between 1967 and 1999, the Falcons had a total record of 198-295-5, the Saints had a record of 192-301-5 in that same span.

In terms of postseason success the Saints started out much worse, as they wouldn’t make the playoffs until 1987 and didn’t win a postseason game until the year of our lord 2000. 32 years after their inaugural season. The Falcons on the other hand would achieve both in 1978. However the saints would quickly catch up since 2000 and now both are tied up in playoffs wins with 10 each.

The Saints have of course, won a Superbowl in 2009 (although it is forever stained with a certain scandal), while the falcons have made 2 and lost both, the more notable one of course being their appearance in the 1998 when the 14-2 Falcons would fall to the John Elway led broncos.

All of this literary diarrhea just to say, This rivalry is something very special. My dad is a lifelong Saints fan and while being a fan of the saints wasn’t very easy back in the day, he said Falcons games were always a treat to look forward to. The all time series is now tied 54-54 and the Saints have a shot at taking the lead for the first time since their very first matchup in 1967, when the saints would win at home 27-24, and then immediately lose the next 9 games straight.

    • fooliezoo@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      As a Saints fan I’ve always thought the panthers were the least annoying in the division, yall tend to be quiet and more relaxed. Bucs fans are so annoying, don’t be like them

    • Russell_has_TWO_Ls@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      Aw look at the cute lil kitty cat 🥰

      But, seriously, Panthers fans tend to be cool. Y’all’s blue is really nice. Cam Newton was fun for the most part. Sam Mills. There are a few non nfc south teams I dislike way more than y’all.

      Just please don’t be like the Bucs fans who were trying to force a rivalry with us. That’s just weird

  • Comprehensive_Main@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    The only thing holding this rivalry back is the fact that the falcons and saints have only played each other in the playoffs like once. Very little playoff battles compared to Niners Seahawks or eagles cowboys.

      • braggpeak@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        10 months ago

        Even if we all sent a joint nfcs all star team I’m not sure they’d be favored

        • Nuclearsunburn@alien.topBEnglish
          1·
          10 months ago

          Is the QB Carr, Jameis, or Baker? Lol…that’s grim. As long as Arthur isn’t coaching I think it’d be ok. But who is the best NFC South coach? Arthur, Dennis Allen, Bowles, and Reich are the choices…yeesh.

          Talented receivers in Evans, Godwin, Olave, and London at least and maybe the new coach can figure out Pitts and Bijan. Bijan + Kamara is a nice start to a backfield. Rachaad White looks good too.

          But yeah serious coaching and QB deficiency in the division as a whole and they wouldn’t be favored. The defense might be good, Saints and Falcons both have (well had, RIP Grady) some nice pieces on defense.

  • EvilNuff@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I don’t think anyone outside their division cares. I would say it is correctly appreciated, that is to say ignored.

    • tiredofstanding@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      You were supposed to have our backs! I thought we shared our hatred towards the Aints! I FAKED EVERY SKOL CHANT!

      • EvilNuff@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        10 months ago

        I don’t hate the Aints, I hate cheater Payton who is a vile human being and cheated his way into a superbowl that should have been taken away from him. Now that he’s gone meh.

        • RiddlesInTheSand@alien.topBEnglish
          1·
          10 months ago

          Your own offensive lineman, Artis Hicks, went on record saying that the Vikings had a “pay to injure” program during the Favre years with players offering up hundreds of dollars or paying for dinners to “take a guy out.” He said that if hurting the opposing team’s best player helped them win, that it was “just business.” No Saints player, current or former, has ever admitted to being involved in any such program and the former Saints named in the supposed Bountygate investigation continue to deny ever being involved in any such program. So get the fuck outta here with your “cheater” horseshit.

        • Freddy_Vorhees@alien.topBEnglish
          1·
          10 months ago

          Explain cheated. I get the bounty stuff, but that’s far from a cheat. Coming in peace, curious if I missed something.

          • RiddlesInTheSand@alien.topBEnglish
            0·
            10 months ago

            You didn’t miss anything. Vikings fans still think that somehow it’s Payton’s fault that the Vikings had five turnovers in that NFC Championship game, including the crucial interception that Favre absolutely did not need to throw.

  • Burggs_@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Brees and Ryan had some good shootouts against each other in the early 20teens.

  • Loop_Within_A_Loop@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I think it’s appropriately appreciated. It’s not one of the marquee rivalries, but it will come up in discussion, and has the potential to grow over time if they ever hit a stretch where they’re both really good again

  • The_Nanu_Bunta@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I mean if it was one of the best it wouldn’t be under appreciated. I’m all for it and love rivalry games and this should be a good one but for me it’s nothing like how I feel about how the entire NFC East hates each other, steelers/ravens, bears/packers, or even lions/refs.

  • AdministrativeLaugh2@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Saints and Falcons love this game. Nobody else does. The problem with it is that both teams have rarely been very good at the same time, which has stopped it from becoming more talked about by other fans.

    • teal_iceberg@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      I saw someone make the point that the only time most people ever hear about this rivalry is from the 13 year old-run twitter accounts of each team arguing with each other

    • uggsandstarbux@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      Yeah Falcons have only made the playoffs 6 times since Brees/Payton took over

      The Saints had a historically bad defense for a few years and Atlanta went to the SB

      Then the Saints had an all time draft class and ATL hired Arthur Smith

    • starry_cobra@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      the problem with it is that both teams have rarely been very good

      You can cut it off there

  • voyagerx420@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Yeah sorry bud, but two bottom feeding franchises going back and forth hitting each other with their pillow hands isn’t exactly compelling to watch for the rest of us. That’s great you and your pops enjoy it, but it’s not exactly must see tv for anyone outside those fanbases.

    Also, Super Bowl. Two words. Has been and always will be.

  • Different-Salary2899@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    It’s under appreciated bc we both suck. Fun for us. But I don’t blame you for not being invested if you’re not in the fanbases

  • mesayousa@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    And the Bucs have won more SBs that both lol

    And they’ve also won the Lions’ division more recently than they have

    The NFCS is the strangest division to me