Knox Bardeen: Atlanta takes 5-0 record into New Orleans

FLOWERY BRANCH -- The Atlanta Falcons have a mighty 5-0 record, but only one game -- their 27-point blowout of Houston in Week 4 -- was settled in a manner suggestive of such an unblemished mark.

Perfection hasn’t come easily for the Falcons.

Atlanta was forced to play from behind in each of its other four wins. Philadelphia held a one-point lead midway through the fourth quarter. The New York Giants and Dallas each owned commanding double-digit margins before the Falcons found a way to claw back and take the win.

Last week, the Falcons scored with less than three minutes left and erased a four-point deficit, only to give up that lead and be forced to win in overtime over Washington.

Has the Falcons 5-0 record been marred by the fact they’ve been forced to come from behind to win so often? Head coach Dan Quinn said absolutely not. It may actually be a benefit.

“I think winning in the fourth quarter is a finisher’s mindset,” Quinn said on Tuesday. “We just love the mindset that we’re never out of the fight and we’re willing to go the distance every single time. Having that type of grit where you’ve been put in some situations where you’ve got to battle and come back, maybe there’s a new spot, a new threshold where you’ve got to go to, where you realize you can count on each other and go forth.”

Quinn admitted he’s ready to win a few more games without the need of such come-from-behind heroics, but his team has absolutely learned from the experiences. His Falcons have developed that toughness and some grit.

Those teachings might come in handy Thursday when the Falcons visit New Orleans.

Since 2008, 10 of the 14 Falcons-Saints games have been decided by seven points or less. Six have been settled in the fourth quarter or overtime, and only two have gone the Falcons’ way.

In fact, Atlanta hasn’t done so well in what’s been one of the fiercest NFL rivalries. Sure the Falcons hold a 49-43 lead all-time over New Orleans, but since 2006, the battle has been one-sided to the tune of a 5-13 record against the Saints.

Quinn was asked how he felt as he prepared to enter his first rivalry game as a head coach. He tried to downplay the issue.

“The two teams and the rivalry, it’s a fun thing to be a part of,” he said. “We don’t try to place too much emphasis one (game) over the next, we just have such regard for everybody we play. But it is fun to talk about during the week.

“The fact that we do get to know those opponents that we play twice a year so much better, it’s natural that you have more familiarity with them. We can’t wait to get down there and go play.”

The fans can’t wait for Quinn’s chapter in the rivalry to begin, either. Quinn may not know this rivalry was once known as the “Dixie Championship.” He may not know that bodily fluids have been let loose on the Georgia Dome field (we’re not talking blood or vomit, either) or eggs have been tossed at the Saints bus as the team arrived in Atlanta.

But he does know the expectations.

If Falcons fans were asked which two games the team had to win if it were only allowed a 2-14 record, the easy answer would be both New Orleans games. There’s that much hate involved.

And Quinn might have his team ready to retake control of this rivalry. The Falcons believe they’re close to invincible in tight games, and they’re flying to the Big Easy with chests pumped out, thanks to that perfect record.

This story was originally published October 14, 2015 at 9:38 PM.