New Orleans Saints 2021 NFL schedule: 5 must-win games

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 03: Head coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints looks on during the first half of their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 28: Calvin Ridley #18 of the Atlanta Falcons leaps for a reception as Eli Apple #25 of the New Orleans Saints defends during the second half of an NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

4. vs. Atlanta Falcons

It has been an underrated rivalry throughout its inception. The Atlanta Falcons joined the NFL in 1966 and the New Orleans Saints one year later. Since-retired Drew Brees traditionally put up big numbers in this NFC South setting and Matt Ryan wasn’t far behind. And it wasn’t that long ago (2017) that both teams were in the playoffs

But it’s been a rough three-game stretch for the Falcons since their last postseason appearance. A pair of 7-9 finishes were followed by a 4-12 showing this past year – the club’s worst showing since an identical mark in 2013. The new head coach is Arthur Smith, late of the Tennessee Titans.

In 2020, the Saints swept this series for the second time in three years. Dating back to the club’s second encounter in ’17, Sean Payton’s team has prevailed in six of the last seven meetings. But it’s also worth noting that in both of last year’s wins, Brees was on the sidelines and Taysom Hill was the starting quarterback.

In case you’re wondering when was the last time the Falcons won a game at the Superdome, look no further than 2019 – the lone victory over the Saints in the teams’ last seven meetings.

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