Twenty years after the Superdome reopened in one of the most emotional nights in NFL history, New Orleans welcomed Atlanta back for the anniversary. The Falcons responded by running all over the Saints — and for once, giving Sanchez Sideline almost nothing to complain about.

By Latifa Sanchez | Sanchez Sideline

Y'all know I don't trust the Atlanta Falcons.

I don't.

Haven't in years.

Ever since they blew that Super Bowl lead against New England — and no, we're not going to discuss the numbers because Falcons fans have suffered enough — I've operated under one very simple rule:

Never put too much faith in Atlanta because eventually, the Falcons are going to start Falconing (and not in a good way).

We've talked about it here at Sanchez Sideline. We've questioned the quarterbacks. We've questioned the coaching. We've questioned the personnel. We've questioned what exactly is going on in that front office.

Basically, Atlanta has been one of our favorite punching bags.

But I'm not a hater.

And when somebody deserves credit, I'm going to give them credit.

So Falcons...

Y'all played some damn good football Monday night.

There. I said it.

Please don't make me regret it.

First, This Night Was Bigger Than Football

Before we get into Atlanta ruining everybody's evening, the significance of Monday night deserves its respect.

This was the 20th anniversary of the Superdome's reopening after Hurricane Katrina.

The original “Domecoming” came on Sept. 25, 2006, after Katrina had devastated New Orleans and forced the Saints away from the city for the entire 2005 season. The Superdome itself had served as a shelter during the disaster before undergoing extensive repairs.

And wouldn't you know it?

The opponent that night was Atlanta.

Steve Gleason blocked a Falcons punt early, Curtis Deloatch recovered it for a touchdown and New Orleans went on to beat Atlanta 23–3 in a game that became about much more than football.

Monday's anniversary celebration brought Gleason, Deloatch, Drew Brees and members of that 2006 team back to the Superdome. New Orleans built an entire night around remembering what that game meant to the city.

Beautiful moment. Beautiful history.

Then Atlanta showed up and basically said:

That's nice. Anyway...

Bijan Needed Three Plays

New Orleans had all that emotion.

All that energy.

The crowd.

The anniversary.

The memories.

And Bijan Robinson needed approximately three offensive plays to suck the air out of the building.

Robinson broke loose for a 59-yard touchdown on Atlanta's third play from scrimmage.

Just like that:

7–0.

No long feeling-out process.

No nervous opening drive.

No “let's settle into the game.”

Bijan took the football and left.

And that pretty much told us what kind of night this was going to be.

The Robinsons Apparently Had Somewhere to Be

Atlanta didn't just run the football.

Atlanta ran through New Orleans.

Bijan finished with 145 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns.

Brian Robinson Jr. added 62 yards and THREE rushing touchdowns.

Five rushing touchdowns between the two Robinsons.

Atlanta finished with 207 rushing yards.

New Orleans?

50.

That's not a small difference.

That's one team controlling the line of scrimmage and the other team spending Monday night trying to figure out how to make it stop.

And this is where I have to give Atlanta real credit.

The Falcons didn't get cute.

They found what worked.

Then they kept doing it.

Sometimes football really is that simple.

And Look at Michael Penix Jr.

Now hold on.

I'm not about to start planning a Michael Penix Jr. parade through downtown Atlanta. (I'm still iffy on him)

Everybody calm down.

We've been down this road before.

But Monday?

He did exactly what Atlanta needed him to do.

Penix completed 15 of 20 passes for 223 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

Efficient.

Clean.

No unnecessary hero ball.

No disastrous turnover that completely changes the game.

And when New Orleans started showing just enough life in the fourth quarter to make Falcons fans start thinking, “Oh Lord... here we go,” Penix found Jahan Dotson for a 31-yard touchdown.

38–17.

Everybody breathe.

The Falcons were not Falconing.

At least not Monday.

Drake London Quietly Had Himself a Night Too

While we're passing out credit, Drake London deserves his.

London caught five passes for 96 yards, averaging better than 19 yards per reception.

Kyle Pitts added 47 receiving yards, and Dotson finished with 54 and the touchdown.

Nothing about Atlanta's offense felt desperate.

That's what stood out.

They didn't look like a team searching for answers every possession.

They looked like a team that actually had a plan.

Imagine that.

New Orleans Never Really Had Control

The Saints did have moments.

Alvin Kamara scored twice on the ground.

Chris Olave finished with eight catches for 116 yards.

Tyler Shough threw for 286 yards, although it took him 48 attempts, and his only touchdown pass came in the final two minutes.

But New Orleans spent almost the entire night chasing Atlanta.

The Falcons led 14–0 after the first quarter.

24–7 at halftime.

And although New Orleans pulled within 31–17 early in the fourth, Atlanta responded with another two touchdowns.

Final:

Falcons 45. Saints 24.

Atlanta never trailed.

On a night New Orleans expected to celebrate history, the Falcons walked into the Superdome and spoiled the party.

That's cold.

But it's football.

Now Here Comes My Problem...

Atlanta is 2–2.

And suddenly we're supposed to start believing?

Mmm.

Slow down.

Because I know these people.

We've seen the Falcons put together a performance that makes you think they've finally figured something out.

Then the following week everybody is standing around asking:

What the hell was THAT?

That's where the phrase comes from.

Falconing isn't simply losing.

Falconing is making you believe first.

That's what makes it hurt.

So I'm giving Atlanta its flowers today.

I'm just keeping the receipt.

But Something Does Feel Different

Here's where I'll give them a little more credit.

This wasn't Atlanta's first strong road performance.

Eleven days earlier, the Falcons went into Green Bay and beat the Packers 35–14.

Now they've gone into New Orleans and won 45–24.

That's 80 points over two road wins.

Okay.

Now you've got my attention.

I'm still not putting my faith in y'all.

Absolutely not.

But I'm paying attention.

There's a difference.

The Real Test Comes Next

And Atlanta won't have long to enjoy this.

Next up?

Baltimore.

Sunday night.

The Ravens come to Atlanta on Oct. 11.

Now that interests me.

Because beating New Orleans was good.

Doing it convincingly was even better.

But if Atlanta follows these two road performances by handling Baltimore?

Then we may need to revisit some conversations we've had about this football team.

Notice I said may.

I'm protecting myself.

I've learned.

THE SIDELINE TAKE

I'm not a hater.

So I'm going to give credit where credit is due.

Atlanta didn't stumble into this win.

They didn't need some ridiculous last-second miracle.

They didn't spend three quarters looking lost and suddenly remember how to play football.

They beat New Orleans.

From the opening drive.

At the line of scrimmage.

On the scoreboard.

In somebody else's building.

On a night that meant a tremendous amount to the Saints organization and the city of New Orleans.

45–24.

Bijan Robinson was a problem.

Brian Robinson Jr. was a problem.

Michael Penix Jr. was efficient.

The defense held New Orleans to 50 rushing yards.

And for one entire Monday night, the Atlanta Falcons did not Falcon.

So yes, Atlanta.

You get your credit.

Enjoy it.

Frame this article if you need to.

Because Sanchez Sideline is watching.

And the minute y'all start Falconing again?

We'll be right here.

Sports. Opinion. No Filter.

Sanchez Sideline.