The History Of The Saints’ Biggest Rivals
The NFC South is not known for their intense rivalries compared to other NFL divisions. However, this doesn’t mean the Saints don’t have their own place in fierce competition against their division counterparts.
Saints’ Interdivisional Rivals
Aside from New Orleans, the NFC South consists of the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Playing twice a year has definitely kicked the heat up a notch between these teams and the Saints.
The Falcons-Saints rivalry is the longest of the NFC South. Since 1970 the teams have been facing off twice a year, making this quite possibly the most heated among either team’s rivals. Saints and Falcons fans constantly banter back and forth, exchanging names such as “The Failcons” and “The Aints.” The Falcons narrowly hold the lead in the all time series 54-53, with the Saints winning the better part of the last decade and a half. Notable moments in the rivalry consist of, but are not limited to:
62-7 Atlanta victory at Tulane Stadium in 1973, the biggest blowout in the series
The only playoff meeting between the two in 1991, resulting in a Falcons 27-20 victory.
The Steve Gleason punt block in the first home game since Hurricane Katrina
16-point comeback victory by the Saints in 2022, the largest fourth quarter comeback in team history
The Panthers-Saints rivalry started in 1995 when the Panthers were added to the league as an expansion team. This is not the fiercest rivalry for either team, but there is no shortage of tension. The Saints currently lead the all time series 29-27. Notable moments in the series are:
The lone playoff meeting resulting in a 31-26 New Orleans win
3-0 sweep of the Panthers in 2017 season
The Buccaneers are the last rivalry in the division. This rivalry is the youngest in New Orleans’ history as it started in 2002. Up until recently, the match up between these two teams were never that heated. The Buccaneers have a lot of work to do as the Saints hold a 39-21 all time series lead. Some notable moments are:
Snapping the 26 game Buccaneers losing streak in New Orleans
Singular playoff meeting resulting in a 30-20 Bucs win
Carlton Davis vs Michael Thomas Twitter beef
New Orleans is a collective 121-101 against their NFC South rivals
Saints Rivals Outside The Division
The team has developed some rivalries outside of their immediate division. What teams are gaining some heat down in the bayou?
Not a widely recognized rivalry for the team is the Chicago Bears. The Bears are here mainly for past events, but have had some heat with the Saints in recent memory. New Orleans leads the all time series 18-15 with wins in the last seven meetings on top of a 3-3 playoff record. Some notable moments between the two are:
2007 NFC Championship, ending in a 39-14 Bears blowout win
Bears fans’ Hurricane Katrina signs
Javon Wims sucker punch on Chauncey Gardner Johnson
You can’t talk about Saints rivals without mentioning the Vikings. Minnesota has established themselves as an enemy in New Orleans. In recent years the two teams have raised some tension. The Vikes hold a 21-13 all time series lead with a 4-1 record in playoffs. Some notable moments:
2009 NFC Championship Game (during the Bountygate scandal)
The Minneapolis Miracle
Kyle Rudolph Playoff Overtime Touchdown
Alvin Kamara Christmas Game
The Los Angeles Rams have also themselves into the conversation among Saints fans’ most hated team. The two teams used to be in the NFC West from 1970-2002, before the realignment, when New Orleans moved to the South. The former division rivals have an all time record of 43-34 in favor of the Rams. Some notable moments:
“The No Call” robbing the league of a Brees vs Brady Super Bowl…
Sean Payton running up the score vs former Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams, the man behind Bountygate
Who do you think are the Saint’s biggest rivals?