The Saints head to the Georgia Dome as the Falcons look to continue their recent dominance in this underrated divisional rivalry.

Eight weeks ago at the Superdome (Week 5), Mike Ditka's club jumped out to a 17-7 halftime lead, but Atlanta's defense held the Saints scoreless in the second half and Falcons PK Morten Andersen booted a pair of fourth-quarter field goals that proved to be the difference as Dan Reeves' team (0-4) got their first victory of '99, 20-17.

Falcons have built an overall 37-24 advantage in the series standings (including a 27-20 triumph in the 1991 First Round Playoffs at the Superdome) and have now taken 9 in a row in this bitter rivalry, their longest winning streak in this series since winning 9 straight from 1969-73.

As for the Saints' last appearance at the Georgia Dome (Week 7 of '98), Falcons RB Jamal Anderson rushed for 132 yards and a score and the Atlanta defense forced four turnovers -- with Falcons FS Eugene Robinson returning an interception 25 yards for a touchdown -- as Reeves' team outlasted the Cajuns, 31-23.

While the Saints are 4-4 lifetime at the Georgia Dome (dating back to 1991) and have prevailed in 10 of their last 16 visits to Atlanta dating back to 1983, the Falcons have dropped four straight at Atlanta dating back to 1995.

Worth noting is that the road team in this rivalry owns an impressive 20-11 record (including 1-0 in playoffs) in the last 31 meetings between the teams dating back to 1984.

Numbers: In their last nine games vs. Atlanta (0-9), the Saints have committed 26 turnovers and allowed 28 sacks. In their last five losses to the Falcons dating back to '97, the Saints committed 19 turnovers and allowed 22 sacks. In nine games vs. New Orleans, former Saints/turned Falcons PK Morten Andersen has connected on 20-of-25 field goals attempts (including 4-of-7 from 50 yards or more) and has scored 81 points in those nine contests (9-0). The Saints have allowed 69 points in eight wins (17 or fewer points in each contest), 559 points in 18 losses (30 or more points in 12 of those contests) dating back to '98.

Including playoffs, the Falcons have scored 516 points in 18 wins (28.7 PPG), but just 150 points in 12 losses (12.5 PPG) dating back to '98. The Falcons have recovered five opponent's fumble in 11 games in '99, this after leading the NFL with 25 opponent's fumble recoveries in '98. They own a minus-11 turnover differential (13-24) in 11 games in '99, this after leading the NFL with a plus-20 turnover differential (44-24) in 16 games in '98. The Falcons have been outscored a combined 169-74 in the first half in 11 games in '99. They have committed two or more turnovers in 7-of-11 contests in '99. The Falcons have been limited to fewer than 100 yards rushing in 3 straight games.

Things to look for: Off consecutive losses to a pair of clubs (Jaguars and Rams) that could find themselves in the Super Bowl, Mike Ditka'a team figures to have a fighting chance against the disappointing Falcons, whose defense failed them miserably at Carolina. But Dan Reeves has QB Chris Chandler, who had no problem finding his receivers against the Panthers and won't struggle here either.

Etc.: The Saints are just 9-28 vs. divisional competition since 1995 (2-3 in '99), this after compiling a 29-19 record (including playoffs) vs. NFC West rivals from 1987-94. The Saints have lost 11 straight road games dating back to '98.

The Falcons have lost three straight games. PK Morten Andersen has scored at least one point in an NFL-record 249 straight games. FS Eugene Robinson (56) needs one interception to tie Bobby Boyd, Johnny Robinson, Mel Blount and Everson Walls (57) for 9th place on the NFL's all-time interception list.