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.
I don’t think anyone outside their division cares. I would say it is correctly appreciated, that is to say ignored.
Fair point from a Vikings fan.
Vikings fans definitely care about the Saints.
They show up in nearly every game day thread and still often randomly post on our sub. They’re insufferable.
I respect how much they hate each other. Minutes after the Falcons blew that 25 point lead to the Pats everyone was either hating/appreciating the Pats or feeling bad for that pretty likable Falcons team. The Saints fans were already laughing at the Falcons.
Same. This game is just a mid-off for sure
You were supposed to have our backs! I thought we shared our hatred towards the Aints! I FAKED EVERY SKOL CHANT!
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.
TIL Payton brain washed Farve to throw back across the field.
The vikings can not fail, they can only be failed.
Explain cheated. I get the bounty stuff, but that’s far from a cheat. Coming in peace, curious if I missed something.
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.
That's just what Favre played like.
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.