Over 60 years and 114 games played, the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons have engaged in one of the fiercest rivalries in all of sports. These bitter foes face off again tonight, when the 1-2 Saints host the 1-2 Falcons in a key NFC South clash. Tonight's festivities will also include a 20-year celebration of the Saints return to the Superdome after the Hurricane Katrina tragedy. On Monday, September 25, 2006, New Orleans routed this same Atlanta franchise by a 23-3 score.
There have been plenty of memorable moments and stars over the years in this rivalry. The Saints have had some major roster turnover over their last few seasons. However, there are a few still veterans on the roster that have created their own unforgettable moments against
the Falcons. With injuries mounting in New Orleans, the Saints may need to count on these veterans to pull out a win over their hated foe.
Erik McCoy
New Orleans has underachieved on the offensive line through their first three outings. The Saints have been unable to establish a running game. This has not only robbed the team of balance, but also given opponents the confidence to blitz quarterback Tyler Shough at will. Tackles Taliese Fuaga and Asim Richards must do a better job of pass protection versus edge rushers. On the inside, the Saints need to start opening lanes for their runners and picking up the inside blitz. McCoy along with guards David Edwards and Cesar Ruiz are on the spot for that. As the captain and elder on the line, McCoy is most responsible for identifying blitzers and sliding for the necessary help and double-team. Make no mistake though, this entire unit must play better.
Alvin Kamara
Running back Travis Etienne will miss several weeks with a hamstring injury. Therefore, the backfield responsibilities now fall back to Kamara and Kendre Miller. Kamara is the franchise's career leader in rushing yards, touchdowns, and all receiving marks for a running back. However, he's shown a noticeable decline in recent seasons and has contributed little through his two games with only 51 rushing yards and 2.8 per carry along with 6 catches for 12 yards.
Kamara has played Atlanta 16 times in his career. Over those meetings, he's averaged 93 scrimmage yards with 4 total touchdowns. Those numbers are below his overall career averages. If the Saints can even get that kind of output though, it would at least provide a backfield threat, help establish balance, and take some pressure off of Tyler Shough and his receivers.
Cameron Jordan
Jordan is a Saints legend, with a 16-year career more than worthy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Against the Falcons alone, Jordan has put up Hall of Fame numbers. In 30 career meetings against Atlanta, Jordan has an incredible 26 sacks, 43 QB hits, and 32 tackles for loss with 8 tipped passes and a fumble recovery. Many times over the years, Jordan had a major say in the outcome of Saints-Falcons meetings.
Erik McCoy, Alvin Kamara, and Cam Jordan are the three longest-tenured New Orleans players. These three will be counted on to step to the forefront in the latest meeting in this bitter rivalry. Perhaps none moreso than Cam. It's critical that the Saints pressure Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix into mistakes and long-yardage situations. Off one edge, Chase Young will apply some of that disruption for certain. If Jordan can do the same on the other edge, then the veteran could have another major say in a Saints-Falcons outcome.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Back to the Future: 3 Saints veterans crucial to Falcons showdown
