NFL Rivalries 2017: Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints

People often forget this NFC South rivalry, but the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints hatred runs deep, a rivalry 50 years in the making.

As the 2017 season approaches, it’s always worthwhile to look in on the biggest rivalries around the NFL. Some of these rivalries are alive and well. Others, meanwhile, have fizzled out to become shells of what they used to be. Those examples, however, are far removed from the worst of rivalry tropes — when you are not your rival’s rival.

Next up for debate is the NFC South quagmire between the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints. Often overlooked by the NFL at large, this rivalry has all the makings of something great. History, star players, and stiff competition.

Two brothers from New York, Dan Salem and Todd Salem, discuss NFL Rivalries 2017 in today’s NFL Sports Debate.

Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints

This duo doesn’t get mentioned as much as its northern, Texas or western brethren, but it is quite the NFL rivalry. The two teams have been playing against one another since the 1960s and haven’t liked each other just about as long.

Let’s hit up the rivalry questionnaire.

1. Is this still a rivalry?

Todd Salem: For sure. Though Atlanta and New Orleans don’t garner the headlines of teams from other parts of the country, this is one of the fiercest rivalries in the game. These two fan bases hate each other. It didn’t help the popularity of the rivalry that both sides used to stink at football, but that is no longer the case.

Dan Salem: When it’s in the division, it’s certainly a rivalry. But with two top-10 quarterbacks leading the Falcons and Saints, this one is going strong. Being good and/or interesting is a prerequisite for rivalry beyond the local fanbases. Atlanta barely lost the Super Bowl, so the onus falls on New Orleans to live up to some form of hype. Despite being an average football team over the last few seasons, the Saints and Drew Brees have always been interesting and exciting. Can they elevate themselves as a team in the final years of his career?

I love this rivalry this season in particular. Atlanta is riding high and Drew Brees will be leaving it all on the field. I know football players are supposed to always leave it all on the field, but it’s now or never for Brees and his Saints. There’s no time left to slowly get over the hump. This adds a lot of fire to Falcons vs. Saints this season.

2. Which side of this pairing would you rather be on?

Todd Salem: The Falcons for a couple of reasons. They were obviously the better club a year ago, reaching the Super Bowl. They also have the better situation moving forward with a young offense and potential on defense. New Orleans seems to be on the edge of a closing window with Drew Brees behind center. A new iteration of the Saints will be taking over pretty soon, and we don’t know what to expect from it.

Dan Salem: While I’d love to see Brees and New Orleans have one more great year, I’m on Atlanta’s side of this rivalry. Rooting for the Falcons is just plain fun right now, and Matt Ryan is going to deliver for many years to come. Plus, Atlanta has Julio Jones, who also happens to be great. They are defending NFC champions. What’s not to like? I’m rooting for the Falcons to dominate once again.

3. What should we expect from this matchup in 2017?

Todd Salem: For four-straight seasons, one team or the other has swept the two-game season series. Last year it was Atlanta; the year before it was New Orleans. Not since 2012 have the two split their series. This year, the matchups are weirdly placed, with both games coming within a two-week stretch in December. I’d have to imagine it’d be near impossible for one of the two sides to sweep the other with so little time in between games to change up the game plan. Look for Atlanta to win game one and the Saints to respond.

Next: NFL 2017: Dark horse MVP candidate from each team

Dan Salem: Despite playing one another close together and late in the year, I believe Atlanta sweeps the season series. The Falcons will have separated themselves from the pack by December. After winning the first matchup at home, Atlanta keeps on winning and rides its streak through the Saints in matchup number two. I don’t have a solid read on how good New Orleans may be this year, but I do know that Atlanta is better.

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