Hate week doesn’t end with Saints for Falcons fans

The Falcons ended rivalry week in disappointing fashion, missing three field goals and losing by three points to a Saints club that had just fired their head coach and traded one of their best players.

It’s certainly one the Falcons let slip through their fingers. They beat the Saints in almost every key statistic, but it’s time to turn the page on Week 10 as the Broncos loom this Sunday.

However, it is not yet the time to turn the page on hate week. It doesn’t end in New Orleans, because it also takes place in Denver Sean Payton leading the Broncos.

Raheem Morris is very familiar with Payton during their respective times in Atlanta and New Orleans. Morris was on Dan Quinn’s staff from 2015 to 2020 and saw Payton’s Saints twice a year for six seasons.

Additionally, Morris coached as the defensive backs coach early in Payton’s tenure with the Buccaneers before being elevated to head coach of Tampa Bay for a few seasons. For Morris, it’s all respect for Sean Payton. For Falcons fans, there is nothing but hate for the former Saints head coach.

There’s probably no coach the fanbase despises more than Sean Payton, and that, ironically, is the one thing Saints and Falcons fans have in common. But this Broncos team isn’t like most of Payton’s team.

This is a club led by its defence. The attack will be creative and respond to this Bo Nixbut this Denver defense is threatening and will test Zac Robinson and Kirk cousins.

As the Falcons prepare for Mile High, fans are hoping they can deal a blow to Payton’s playoff hopes while boosting their own.

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Photographer: Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire