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Saints insider claims Falcons wanted no part of Monday night matchup
TL;DR
A Saints insider claims the Falcons were reluctant to play the Saints on the 20th anniversary of the Superdome's reopening after Hurricane Katrina. This rivalry is intense, with emotions often spilling over beyond the field.
Key points
- Saints insider claims Falcons were reluctant to face them
- Match scheduled for October 5, 20th anniversary of Superdome reopening
- Rivalry between Falcons and Saints is intense
- Skepticism surrounds the insider's claim
- Potential bias due to the insider's environment
Atlanta FalconsNew Orleans Saints
Saints insider claims Falcons wanted no part of Monday night matchup
The bitterness of the rivalry between the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints can't be overstated. While it doesn't get as much attention as the Bears-Packers' 100-year war or the brutal Ravens-Steelers rivalry, the intensity of hatred between them is palpable, and sometimes spills out beyond the field.
Following last night's 2026 schedule release, a Saints beat writer for the Times-Picayune took to Twitter and shared an odd anecdote, claiming that the Falcons did not want to face New Orleans on the 20th anniversary of the re-opening of the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina - which will be Oct. 5, when they're scheduled to play the Saints on Monday Night Football.
We don't doubt that Duncan "heard" somebody say this, but it hardly rises to the level of an actual report. If he "heard" it while working in a building composed entirely of Saints fans and Saints employees, for example - it raises the question of bias.
It's not that the Falcons haven't done cringe-worthy things in the past, such as piping in crowd noise that cost them a draft pick 10 years ago. This particular item just seems so bizarre that we have a hard time believing it.
The hashtag doesn't help Duncan's case and neither does the fact that the Saints went 6-11 last season, finishing in last place in the least-competitive division in the NFL. They were also swept by the Falcons in their two 2025 meetings and it's probably worth mentioning that their roster is also by far the weakest in the NFC South.
Q&A
Why did the Falcons reportedly not want to play the Saints on October 5?
The Falcons were said to be hesitant about facing the Saints on the anniversary of the Superdome's reopening after Hurricane Katrina.
What is the significance of the Superdome reopening anniversary for the Saints?
The 20th anniversary of the Superdome reopening is a significant event for the Saints, marking a pivotal moment in the team's history and the city's recovery from Hurricane Katrina.
How does the rivalry between the Falcons and Saints compare to other NFL rivalries?
The Falcons-Saints rivalry is intense, though it may not receive as much attention as rivalries like Bears-Packers or Ravens-Steelers.
What was the reaction to the Saints insider's claim about the Falcons?
The claim was met with skepticism, as it was based on hearsay and raised questions about potential bias from the Saints' perspective.