Atlanta Falcons Coach Arthur Smith Talks Pros & Cons of Past Experiences vs. New Orleans Saints

The Atlanta Falcons will face the New Orleans Saints for the first time this season.

It's late in the season, but the Atlanta Falcons will finally get to renew their heated rivalry with the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the first of two NFC South matchups between the sides in the final stretch of the 2023 campaign.

With two meetings against the Saints still left this season, the Falcons can severely alter their own postseason chances with a pair of wins. Already possessing former Saints on the team in former New Orleans defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen and defensive lineman David Onyemata, the Falcons could have some inside intel.

However, Falcons coach Arthur Smith understands the importance of being ready for the unexpected. Going into the game unaware of the changes a team is likely to install from season to season could end up costing either side a win.

Arthur Smith / USA Today Sports

“I’m sure, as every team, they’ve tweaked a few things," Smith said. "There’s probably a little bit of different philosophies you have year-to-year that maybe they’ve evolved to, and then some major things that you see. I mean, you’re going to see it on film just like they see from us. The longer you’re in a division, you get to know each other pretty well. Yeah, it can be a plus but you always have to respect and understand that they’re going to change as well.”

In a tight three-team race, it remains anyone's guess who will emerge victorious from arguably the worst division in the league to secure a playoff spot. The Saints (5-5) currently lead the way followed by Atlanta (4-6) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6), as a ton can happen over the final stretch of the season.

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The Falcons and Saints kickoff on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.