The Falcons make their way to New Orleans to renew one of the most bitter and unsung rivalries in the NFL.

Atlanta has built an overall 36-24 advantage in the series standings (including a 27-20 triumph in the 1991 First Round Playoffs at the Superdome) and have now taken eight in a row in this bitter rivalry, their longest winning streak in this series since winning nine straight from 1969-73.

Last season, Atlanta posted its fourth consecutive sweep of the Saints. In Week 7 at the Georgia Dome, 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 Dan Reeves' team outlasted the Saints, 31-23.

Eight weeks later at the Superdome (Week 15), Falcons QB Chris Chandler threw for 345 yards (2 INTs) and a pair of long scores (62 and 63 yards) to WR Terance Mathis and Anderson chipped in with 148 yards rushing as Reeves' team rolled up 504 total yards in a 27-17 triumph.

Including playoffs, the Falcons have won four straight and are 7-2 in their last nine trips to the Superdome dating back to 1991.

Worth noting is that the road team in this rivalry owns an impressive 19-11 record (including 1-0 in playoffs) in the last 30 meetings between the teams dating back to 1984.

Numbers: In their last eight games vs. Atlanta (0-8), the Saints have committed 24 turnovers and allowed 25 sacks; in their last 4 losses to the Falcons dating back to '97, the Saints committed 17 turnovers and allowed 19 sacks. In eight games vs. New Orleans, former Saints'/turned Falcons PK Morten Andersen has connected on 18-of-23 field goals attempts (including 4-of-7 from 50 yards or more) and has scored 73 points in those 8 contests (8-0).

IF HE PLAYS: From 1988-93, Falcons QB Chris Chandler owned a combined 15-24 record as a starter with the Colts, Buccaneers and Cardinals, throwing 34 touchdown passes and 48 interceptions. From 1994-99 (including playoffs), Chandler is a combined 35-29 as a starter with the Rams, Oilers and Falcons, throwing 90 TD passes and just 47 interceptions. Including playoffs, the Falcons are 22-11 with Chandler as the starter while Falcons' backup quarterbacks are 1-5 dating back to '97. The Falcons have scored 469 points in 16 wins (29.3 PPG), but just 83 points in 7 losses (11.9 PPG) dating back to '98, including playoffs. Atlanta has been limited to fewer than 100 yards rushing and 14 or fewer points in four straight games.

The Saints have allowed 63 points in seven wins (17 or fewer points in each contest), 348 points in 12 losses (30 or more points in 8 of those contests) dating back to '98. They have totaled three or more sacks in four straight games and 25 of their last 35 contests dating back to '97.

Things To Look For: Not much has gone right for Dan Reeves and Mike Ditka so far this season, but at least the latter is playing with a better deck of cards as the injury-riddled defending NFC champions can't fall much further. Very quietly, Saints rookie RB Ricky Williams is starting to feel his oats, and he could prove to be a big handful for an Atlanta defense that is getting no support from its offensive counterparts.

Etc.: The Falcons are 0-4 for the third time in four years (1996-99). PK Morten Andersen has scored at least one point in an NFL-record 242 straight games.

The Saints are just 8-26 vs. divisional competition since 1995 (1-1 in '99), this after compiling a 29-19 record (including playoffs) vs. NFC West rivals from 1987-94. They are just 18-28 in their last 46 contests at the Superdome dating back to 1993