The Atlanta Falcons found a way to win on Sunday, Sept. 29 after falling behind to the New Orleans Saints late at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Here are three takeaways from the game:

Tyler Allgeier

Falcons Running Back Tyler Allgeier had a monster third-quarter for Atlanta, refusing to go down on several runs that ate up the clock and sustained drives. He finished with 60 yares on eight carries, which is a whopping 7.5 yard-a-carry average.

The Homecrowd’s Surf Swag Wins Games

Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins credited the homecrowd’s surf and swag moment as being a huge atmosphere maker in the stadium.

The Falcons Special Teams Are Special

The Falcons return team started the day off with a huge fumble recovery in the end zone, which set the tone for the game. But that was’nt the end of the stellar play for the under-appreciated special teams squad.

Kicker Younghoe Koo kicked four field goals, including the gamewinner with 7 seconds left.

Let’s shout out the ball-handling special teams unit: 

• Younghoe Koo: Kicker
• Bradley Pinion: Punter
• Liam McCullough: Long snapper

Final Word

The Falcons end the month of September at 2-2, which is a win when you consider the quality of opponents over the next few months.

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We used to call them the Aints and that’s what they’ll forever be. A Falcons win in their latest matchup has been the game sweet of late.

The rivalry between the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons is one of the oldest and most intense rivalries in the NFL. It is often referred to as the “Southern Showdown” or “The Battle of the South.” This rivalry has been fueled by regional pride, memorable games, and the fact that both teams often found themselves battling for supremacy in the NFC South.

When the teams square off on Sunday, old wounds will be revisited. (You can stream the game for free)

This article will look back at the rivalry between the Falcons and Saints, which for many years has been mired in mediocrity — but not of late.

Origins of the Rivalry (1960s–1970s)

The Saints and the Falcons first met in 1967, during the Falcons’ second season and the Saints’ inaugural season in the NFL. As two of the NFL’s southernmost teams at the time, geographic proximity naturally bred rivalry, with Atlanta and New Orleans separated by only about 430 miles. Both teams were known for struggling in their early years. From the late 1960s through the 1970s, neither team had much success, often finishing near the bottom of their respective divisions. However, this helped to create an intense rivalry between the two fanbases, as the teams would fight to avoid being the worst in the league.

Escalation in the 1980s

The rivalry gained a higher profile in the 1980s as both teams began to see sporadic success. The Falcons drafted quarterback Steve Bartkowski, while the Saints eventually brought in quarterback Archie Manning, both of whom became faces of their respective franchises. The games between the Saints and Falcons were usually hard-fought and unpredictable, with memorable moments such as the Falcons’ 62-7 rout of the Saints in 1973 and the Saints winning their first-ever game against the Falcons in 1969.

In the 1980s, the competitiveness of the games helped solidify the rivalry. While the Saints remained without a playoff appearance until 1987, the Falcons had some playoff success, but the rivalry continued to be fierce due to the passionate fanbases.

The 1991 NFC Wild Card Game: A Turning Point

One of the most famous moments in the rivalry’s history came during the 1991 NFC Wild Card game. The Falcons and Saints met in the playoffs for the first time, with the Saints hosting their first-ever playoff game after a 12-4 season. The Falcons, under head coach Jerry Glanville and led by quarterback Chris Miller, came into the game as underdogs. In a hard-fought and emotional contest, the Falcons pulled off a stunning 27-20 victory, with Miller throwing a game-winning touchdown to Michael Haynes. This loss for the Saints was devastating, as it marked the end of a historic season. It fueled the hatred between the fanbases even more.

1990s and Early 2000s: The Rivalry Stays Heated

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the rivalry remained intense, even as the teams went through periods of success and struggle. The Saints were led by quarterback Bobby Hebert and later by Aaron Brooks, while the Falcons saw the rise of quarterback Chris Chandler, who helped take them to the Super Bowl in 1998.

Despite the teams’ varying success, the rivalry games were often close and unpredictable. For example, the Saints beat the Falcons in 1999, the same season in which the Falcons had just come off their Super Bowl appearance, showing the “any given Sunday” nature of the rivalry.

The Arrival of Drew Brees and Michael Vick (2000s)

The rivalry took on new life in the mid-2000s with the arrival of two franchise-altering quarterbacks: Michael Vick for the Falcons and Drew Brees for the Saints. Vick, an electrifying playmaker, turned the Falcons into one of the most exciting teams in the NFL during the early 2000s. Meanwhile, Brees helped to revive the Saints’ franchise when he joined in 2006, leading them to their first-ever Super Bowl victory in the 2009 season.

The games between Vick and Brees added a new layer of excitement to the rivalry. One notable game came in 2006, when the Saints returned to the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina in an emotional Monday Night Football matchup against the Falcons. The Saints dominated the game, winning 23-3, with the blocked punt by Steve Gleason becoming one of the most iconic moments in Saints history. This game further solidified the Saints’ resurgence and added emotional depth to the rivalry.

Super Bowl Era: Saints’ Dominance (2010s)

During the 2010s, the Saints, led by Drew Brees and head coach Sean Payton, largely dominated the rivalry, but the Falcons had their moments as well. The Saints consistently made the playoffs, winning several division titles and often beating the Falcons along the way. However, the Falcons had their own success, culminating in a Super Bowl appearance in the 2016 season. Although they infamously lost the game to the New England Patriots after leading 28-3, their rivalry with the Saints only grew stronger.

The games between the Saints and Falcons during this period were often marked by high drama, close finishes, and playoff implications. In 2011, for example, the Saints secured a playoff berth by beating the Falcons in a dramatic overtime victory. In 2018, the Saints beat the Falcons on Thanksgiving in front of a national audience, further fueling the competitive fire between the two teams.

The Post-Brees Era and Continued Rivalry

As both franchises entered the 2020s, the rivalry continued to evolve. Drew Brees retired after the 2020 season, marking the end of an era for the Saints. Meanwhile, the Falcons had already moved on from Matt Ryan, and they began a rebuilding process. Even in this period of transition, the games between the Saints and Falcons remained fiercely competitive, with each team looking to spoil the other’s season, regardless of records.

The Saints and Falcons rivalry stands out for its passion, unpredictability, and the way it has reflected the ups and downs of both franchises. It’s not just about wins and losses; it’s about regional pride and the connection between two cities that have had their share of struggles but always rally behind their teams. It is one of the few NFL rivalries where the games matter not only for playoff positioning but for the bragging rights that extend beyond football and into the culture of both cities.

Hurricane Helene roared through metro Atlanta as a tropical storm with sustained winds of almost 70 mph early Friday. In its wake, the storm left downed power lines, flooded streets and thousands without power.

Gov. Brian Kemp said Friday during a news conference that there have been 11 confirmed fatalities, including a first responder.

More than 975,000 customers are currently without power across Georgia, due to Helene. We’ve been watching outages increase over northeast Georgia over the last couple of hours.

Of the notable landmarks that were affected were these:

Canoe restaurant in Vinings

Canoe restaurant was flooded from the nearby Chattahoochee River, which overflowed due to the constant raining Thursday evening and Friday morning.

Hanover West residents had to be rescued as well, according to Atlanta media. Hanover West is comprised of about 100 homes developed originally in the 1960s, sitting along Peachtree Creek just north of Defoors Ferry Road.

In Buckhead

In Buckhead, several homes and apartments were damaged from flash flooding. Apartment dwellers even had to be rescued by boat crews early Friday.

In Brookhaven, Buford Highway had to be shut down due to excessive flooding as well.

A Fox meteorologist saved a woman’s life after floodwaters nearly overcame her near Buckhead. Weatherman Bob Van Dillen recently performed a heroic rescue during the live coverage of Hurricane Helene.

While reporting in Atlanta amidst rising floodwaters, Van Dillen heard a woman’s cries for help from her car, which was rapidly being submerged. With no time to wait for emergency responders, he rushed into the chest-deep water and carried the woman to safety. She was in shock but unharmed. Her husband later arrived to take her home.

After the storm, check on neighbors, especially the elderly or those who may need assistance.

At Bobby Jones golf course, the greens were inundated with water from the nearby creek.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said Friday morning that the city workers have been dispatched to help residents stranded in their homes.

“From all the crews that were out there, they were all in danger throughout the night and so we made sure that they took safety precautions as they rendered care to others,” he said.

Heavy winds also took down powerlines and some traffic lights, creating more havoc.

In Cobb County, government officials implored residents to stay off the roads until midday as waters were slow to recede.

Kemp said that more than 1 million electricity meters were without power around middway. In metro Atlanta, residents were to expect intermittent breezes through the afternoon, so additional power outages are possible.

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By Thursday evening, Hurricane Helene’s maximum sustained winds had increased to 130 mph and had reached Category 4 status as it approached the Florida coast. Metro Atlanta’s power outages reached into the thousands.

Much of the Southeast was poised to get battered as Hurricane Helene spiraled closer to landfall. Weather experts say the storm is approaching Category 2 force-winds as the Gulf Coast system has caused rainfall as far away as Georgia and South Carolina.

In Atlanta and parts of North Georgia, residents are bracing for more rain throughout the evening as well as the risk of tornadoes. Helene has a well-formed eye and is expected to be a Category 3 storm when it hits land.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said in a statement that, “As Hurricane Helene strengthens, it’s likely that all parts of Georgia will be impacted in the coming days. I have directed state agencies to ensure we are fully prepared and ordered activation of the State Operations Center.”

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said that the city is preparing for the storm by pre-emptively cleaning all storm drainage systems to mitigate any possible flooding.

Helene is projected to strengthen into a major hurricane as it enters the Gulf of Mexico, making landfall late Thursday near Florida’s Big Bend region, close to Apalachicola. In preparation for the storm’s potential impacts, Georgia’s governor has declared a State of Emergency to allocate resources for responding to Helene-related issues.

Tropical Storm Helene formed in the Caribbean Sea as of 11 a.m. Tuesday, with winds reaching 50 mph and stronger gusts. The storm is moving west-northwest at 12 mph and is expected to pass between Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula early Wednesday.

How Will Helene Affect Metro Atlanta?

Tropical Storm Helene is now forecast to remain a tropical storm as it tracks through north Georgia Friday morning. Bands of rain will hit metro Atlanta’s western side by Wednesday atfternoon.

There will be some localized flooding in different areas around metro Atlanta Thursday afternoon and into Friday. In addition to heavy rain, there will be the potential for tornadoes as well.

Helene: How To Stay Safe

Create a plan that includes evacuation routes, communication methods, and a designated meeting place for your family.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

Assemble a kit with essentials like water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, and important documents.

If you can afford it, a portable generator may come in handy during an outage.

Board up windows and doors, and bring in outdoor furniture and decorations to prevent them from becoming projectiles.

Avoid Flood-Prone Areas

Stay away from low-lying areas that are prone to flooding and heed any evacuation orders from local authorities.

During the storm, remain inside and avoid unnecessary travel. Stay away from windows and doors.

Monitor Power Outages

Be prepared for potential power outages. Have alternative light sources and keep your phone charged.

Once the storm has passed, watch out for hazards like downed power lines, flooding, and debris.

Stay Away from Floodwater

Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters, as they can be deeper and more dangerous than they appear.

After the storm, check on neighbors, especially the elderly or those who may need assistance.

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