Falcons Most Anticipated Game: 'Petty Rivalry' vs. Saints?

The Atlanta Falcons will take on the New Orleans Saints in Week 12 and 18 during 2023.

The Atlanta Falcons dropped both games against the New Orleans Saints by a combined four points last season. 

And despite being out of playoff contention by the Week 15 matchup, Atlanta enters this season with postseason aspirations behind third-year head coach Arthur Smith. 

But to make this a reality, the team likely must win at least one game against their NFC South foe. 

CBS Sports says this season's Week 12 home matchup against New Orleans should be one all Atlanta fans have circled on the calendar. 

"The Falcons and the Saints have one of the most petty rivalries in the entire NFL, constantly trading barbs back and forth over social media," CBS Sports writes. "Saints defensive lineman Cameron Jordan even expressed "sadness" when Falcons legend Matt Ryan left to join the Indianapolis Colts a year ago because that meant Jordan couldn't sack him anymore."

The all-time record between the two teams stands at an even 54-54, however the Saints have won each of the last three matchups dating back to November 7th, 2021. 

"Week 12 serves as these rivals' first crack at each other in 2023, and an additional layer was added when Atlanta hired the Saints' co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen to be their new DC," CBS Sports writes. "New Saints quarterback Derek Carr and new Falcons rookie running back Bijan Robinson also insert additional intrigue as potential difference makers who could tilt the wide open NFC South in their respective team's favor."

After their Week 12 meeting in Atlanta, the rivals will close out their regular season campaigns facing off against one another in New Orleans on Jan. 6.

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Follow Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard.

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