The Falcons may have stumbled out of the starting of the 2026 season, but they regained their footing in a major way on the national stage, against the Green Bay Packers. Behind the heroics of Bijan Robinson and Drake London, Atlanta declassed the hosts in their home opener and really gave the early portion of this season a much needed shot in the arm.
Next, the prime time festivities continue as the Birds head into the most hostile of environments with a game against the New Orleans Saints, on what
will be the 20th anniversary of the re-opening of the Superdome following Hurricane Katrina, on Monday Night Football. For those who remember, the Falcons spoiled the festivities on the 10th such anniversary on Monday night exactly a decade ago.
Following the short week, Atlanta has the longest possible rest that’s not a bye week, with a full 11 days between their game in Green Bay and the one upcoming in New Orleans.
Here is the scenario the Falcons face if they beat the New Orleans Saints in Week 3, as well as if they lose.
If the Falcons win
They will essentially pull a lot of the fanbase back in and regain a lot of trust, especially playing in what increasingly continues to look like a pathetic division. Kevin Stefanski will pass a major early test in the consistency department after we witnessed this team routinely lay an egg after nearly ever huge win last season.
Speaking of that division, the Falcons will move to 2-2 overall as well as 1-1 in the NFC South. If the Carolina Panthers lose a game they are not favored in against the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football that would give the Birds sole possession of first place. With the Bucs and Panthers struggling and the Saints at that point already once vanquished, Atlanta would emerge as an early favorite to win their first division title since 2016.
They would also win their third consecutive win head to head against New Orleans, the first such instance of that occurring since 2017, which is also the last time we watched Atlanta compete in the playoffs. This will also be the first time they have won four games in five tries head to head over the Saints since the turn of the millennia.
If the Falcons lose
Despite the coaching and front office turnover, this will just feel like another case of it being the “same old Falcons.” While this regime has nothing to do with the failures of their predecessors, the stigma and stench of this organization over the past decade of losing is hard to wipe away.
It would be New Orleans who would have the early inside track in the division, going 2-2 and likely taking over first place. If Carolina were to also win their game, Atlanta would be trailing two separate teams in the standings while already possessing a worrisome 0-2 record against the NFC South. A Tampa victory puts the Birds in the cellar.
New Orleans would put a stop to the modest two game losing streak they have over the Falcons and once again pull within one game of the all time head to head mark, making their new record against Atlanta 57-58, and putting them in position to tie things up with another win later in the season.
The meat of the schedule comes right after this game, with Baltimore, Chicago and San Francisco coming to town. Going into that run of games at 1-3 and the arrow pointing down feels like it could be catastrophic before we even hit November.
