Things looked bleak for the Atlanta Falcons after opening the 2026 NFL season with two ugly losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Carolina Panthers, but the return of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. helped change that outlook in Week 3.
Penix and the Falcons stunned the Green Bay Packers (and the rest of the league) on Thursday Night Football by securing a 35-14 road victory. Atlanta's offense, defense and special teams units contributed in the Week 3 win, which potentially saved their season.
As encouraging as that game was, though, the Falcons will need another complete effort to take down the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football in Week 4. The NFL scheduled this prime-time showdown for the 20-year anniversary of the "Domecoming" game back
in 2006.
The Saints' return to the Superdome created an electric environment, which was highlighted by Steve Gleason blocking a Falcons punt that was returned for a touchdown in their 23-3 win.
One NFL.com analyst expects a similar outcome in Week 4, predicting that Monday's game would be decided by another blocked punt for a touchdown.
"Twenty years ago, a city that desperately needed a boost looked on as the Saints made their triumphant return to the Superdome in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Steve Gleason wasted no time electrifying an already-raucous crowd, blocking a Falcons punt on the opening series that Curtis Deloatch recovered for a touchdown in a made-for-Hollywood moment. Come Monday, fans will be treated to the sequel: a New Orleans punt block and score to thwart Atlanta in the game’s final minutes." Bobby Kownack, NFL.com
If the game ends the way Kownack suggests, it will almost certainly trigger the "NFL-is-rigged" crowd, which seems to be louder than it's ever been.
With that said, the Saints' historic win was one of the most memorable moments in league history, and all bets are off if the crowd is anywhere close to as fired up as it was 20 years ago.
Monday's game at the Caesars Superdome kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET and will air nationally on ESPN.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: NFL analyst makes bold prediction for Falcons-Saints MNF matchup
