Excitement builds for Falcons-Saints showdown

By Christian Boone

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Mark White traveled roughly 4,600 miles to watch his beloved Falcons attempt to clinch only the fourth division championship in team history.

"I thought it would be a little bit hotter here," said the 18-year-old, who came from Denmark to watch the 84th edition of the Falcons-New Orleans Saints rivalry. Despite the cold he savored his first tailgating experience.

"It's fantastic, being around all these other fans," said White, drawn to the Falcons by former kicker, and Copenhagen native, Morten Andersen. "In Denmark it's a small group."

Few Falcons-Saints games have been bigger than tonight's, available locally on ESPN and WSB-TV. Here's a look at some of the other more memorable match-ups between the Dirty Birds and the Franchise Formerly Known as the Aints:

A rivalry begins (Nov. 26, 1967). It was the least sexy game on the NFL calendar: the 1-8-1 Falcons vs. the 1-9 Saints. The Falcons built a 21-3 lead in the second quarter then watched as quarterback Billy Kilmer engineered a late comeback, hitting Kent Kramer to give New Orleans a 27-24 win. It marked the only time the Saints held a lead in the all-time series; Atlanta would win the next nine games.
Dick Shiner Day (Sept. 16, 1973) The University of Maryland graduate started 28 NFL games, winning seven. His lifetime completion percentage: 48.1 percent. But Shiner made like Joe Montana in the ‘73 season opener, completing 13 of 15 passes for three touchdowns and 227 yards. Counterpart Archie Manning did his best Tony Graziani impression, tossing five interceptions. Eight New Orleans turnovers helped the Falcons set a franchise record for points in what was the most lopsided score in series history: 62-7.
Meet Big Ben (Nov. 12, 1978) For once, both teams entered play with records at or above .500., with the 6-4 Falcons seeking to advance to the playoffs for the first time. As time expired Steve Bartkowski heaved a 57-yard bomb tipped by Saints defenders into the waiting hands of Falcons receiver Alfred Jackson to give the Falcons a thrilling 20-17 victory.
A debut to forget (Sept. 2, 1979) The Saints used the 11th pick in the 1979 draft to select a combination punter/kicker out of Texas, Russell Erxleben. He made his professional debut against the Falcons, nailing a 38-yard field goal to send the game into overtime. Midway through the extra period, Erxleben was brought into punt but the snap soared over his head into the end zone. Erxleben chased it down and heaved a desperation chest pass intercepted by Falcon James Mayberry, who strolled six yards untouched for the game-winning touchdown. Final: Falcons 40, Saints 34.
Norm! (Nov. 24, 1991) With the season on the line, Jerry Glanville's Falcons entered the fourth quarter trailing 20-10 to the 9-2 Saints. A Chris Miller TD pass to Michael Haynes, who finished with 187 receiving yards, sent the game into overtime. Kicker Norm Johnson booted a 50-yard field goal securing a 23-20 Falcons win. The teams would meet again five weeks later.
Playoffs!?! (Dec. 28, 1991) The Saints, coming off their first division title, were favored against the visiting Falcons in the only playoff match-up between the two teams. A 20-yard touchdown pass from Miller to Haynes gave the Birds the lead, their first, heading into the 4th quarter. The Saints reclaimed the lead on a Dalton Hilliard touchdown run then, with the score tied at 20, Miller and Haynes connected again, this time for 61 yards. The score would hold: 27-20 Birds.
America's team (Sept. 25, 2006) The first game in the Superdome since Hurricane Katrina may have been the loudest in the facility's history. It was over soon after it started as Curtis DeLoatch scored on a blocked punt, giving the Saints a lead they would not relinquish. The 23-3 victory improved the Saints' record to 3-0.
The nadir (Dec. 10, 2007) The game, won easily by the Saints 34-14, was overshadowed by events off the field. That afternoon erstwhile franchise quarterback Michael Vick was sentenced to prison for dog fighting. The next day, head coach Bobby Petrino abruptly quit after 13 games. As Denmark's White noted, "the less said about 2007, the better."
Division powerhouses (Sept. 26, 2010) One of the season's most entertaining games should have been won by the Saints. But Garrett Hartley, who set a Super Bowl record the previous winter with three field goals longer than 40 yards, missed from 29 yards out to give the Falcons a second chance. Falcons kicker Matt Bryant responded with a 46-yard field goal in overtime to clinch an improbable 27-24 victory.

Kom aa Falcons! That's Danish for Go Falcons!

--Staff photographer Bob Andres contributed to this report.