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"I found out very quickly when I arrived here in Atlanta that the biggest rivalry is the New Orleans Saints," Smith said. "I guess it goes way back, because when both teams came into the league it was basically at the same time or within a year or two.
"So, regardless of what the ramifications are, it's a big game. I know the fans in Atlanta when we go to New Orleans, there's a contingent of fans that come and we'll expect the same thing here. It has been that way every time that we've played, and I think that we've had very competitive games the three years that we've been here."
Those "ramifications" are at an all-time high now that the Saints and Falcons are among the elite teams in the NFC.
Both long-time bottom feeders with just 16 playoff appearances between them, the Falcons and Saints rivalry has suddenly become more intense and important than ever.
When the Saints and Falcons meet on Monday night in the Georgia Dome, the defending Super Bowl champion Saints (10-4) will be playing to keep their NFC title hopes alive, while the Falcons (12-2) will be seeking to win the division outright and perhaps lock up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Games of such significance haven't happened often in this rivalry because both teams have seldom been good during the same season.
http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2010/12/new_orleans_saints-atlanta_fal.html
