The Atlanta Falcons were not playing in either of the conference championship games on Sunday, but because the Saints were involved, the Falcons and their fans were watching as if the Dirty Birds were playing. When the Saints lost to the Rams thanks in part to a controversial no-call, that only cranked up the pettiness.
15 things petty Falcons fans loved about the Saints’ NFC Championship loss
The Falcons and Saints have the NFL’s most hate-filled rivalry, and it showed after New Orleans lost the NFC Championship.
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
This was the play, a Clear As Day pass interference by Nickell Robey-Coleman on Tommylee Lewis:
If the Saints get that call, they take a few kneel downs, kick a field goal, and win 23-20. But that’s not what happened, and the Rams are now going to Atlanta for Super Bowl 53.
Falcons-Saints is the best rivalry in the NFL. There’s a pinch of bias in there, considering I’m an Atlanta native and Falcons fan. However, it’s not some dusty rivalry like any of the ones in the NFC East that get forced upon us in primetime. The only other modern-day “rivalry” I’m willing to say comes close to this one is Ravens-Steelers. Those are always fun.
So yeah, when the Saints lost a brutal playoff game for the second consecutive year, Falcons fans were happy. It was a little sweeter, because it meant we don’t have to worry about the possibility of the Saints 1) coming to Atlanta and 2) winning the Super Bowl on the Falcons’ home turf.
With all that said, let’s get to the list of Falcons fans enjoyed with a petty spirit in the moments after the Rams clinched their Super Bowl berth:
1. We have to start with the infamous play itself that gave us the Saints loss.
A play so nice, we have to look at it twice. [extremely TV broadcaster voice] Let’s take a look from another angle!
Much like Stefon Diggs’ Minneapolis Miracle, that will be a play that will have Saints fans seething for the rest of their lives.
That was definitely pass interference. A shame, really.
2. NFL teams had never lost an overtime game after winning the toss since the new rules in 2010.
There’s a first time for everything, and Saints fans would tell Falcons fans the same after that since-vacated Super Bowl LI.
3. Nickell Robey-Coleman’s reaction after the game.
Robey-Coleman owned it. That part makes it even worse, if you’re a Saints fan. It’s not like Robey-Coleman is even trying to get away with it, and you can argue that he’s a lying jackass.
HE IS OPENLY ADMITTING THAT THE PLAY THAT COST YOUR TEAM A TRIP TO THE SUPER BOWL WAS INDEED BULLSHIT:
Robey-Coleman wasn’t even like “Ah man, yeah.” No. He went with a full on, “Oh, hell yeah. That was PI.”
Brutal, and hilariously awesome.
4. Referee Bill Vinovich’s non-explanation.
Let’s go to referee Bill Vinovich. Surely he’s got an answer for us:
Vinovich probably should have — I don’t know — looked at the play before giving a statement on the play in question.
Nah, it’s actually better this way.
5. On the Pontchartrain Causeway, the Don’t Text While Driving notices were replaced.
“WE WERE ROBBED”
The reason that this is so deliciously funny, is that it just further reiterates that You Are Mad. A lot of football fans around the country are going to understandably feel bad for the Saints.
However, when you get to the point where you are taking down highway safety notices or reminders to further display your anger, it makes the saltiness even funnier for us Falcons fans.
6. This tweet.
A solid reminder that the Saints got their fair share of favorable calls in the game as well:
7. This tweet too.
Take it away, Governor of Louisiana:
I would be interested in the results from a poll of Saints fans, asking whether they’d give up the traditional Mardi Gras celebration in 2019 for that PI call.
8. Oh, we talkin’ non-PI calls?
Because if so, there’s a Christmas Eve game from 2017 we should revisit. Your Friend On The Internet Jason Kirk didn’t forget:
[hella thinking emojis] Mhm.
9. The Falcons shouting out the Rams’ win online.
They did it by tweeting the Rams’ 1986 creation, “Let’s Ram It”:
You should watch the whole thing, by the way. Jackie Slater is rippin’ the sax at the Coliseum.
10. The Rams throwing cajun-seasoned shade.
A locker room video of the Rams dancing to “Choppa Style” (that Teddy Bridgewater helped bring back to life and the Saints have been doing) wasn’t quite as entertaining as a Marcus Peters press conference whilst consuming gumbo would have been, but it was still great.
This works.
11. Former Falcons center Todd McClure, too.
Other than enjoying the hate this video produces, I will refrain from further comment with regards to the content.
Your efforts are appreciated, Todd.
12. This upset gentleman.
His contact was almost as impressive as Robey-Coleman’s on Lewis.
Almost.
13. The ‘shopped jersey swap we didn’t know we needed.
Somebody created this phenomenal piece of art, and Todd Gurley finished the drill by posting it on his Instagram with three skull emojis, and four laughing emojis.
The post and emojis by Gurley were the garnish on what was already a wonderfully petty dish created by somebody else.
14. Sean McVay, and the greatest postgame quote of all time.
Lol, they sure did!
15. Sean Payton with a very accurate statement.
He’s right — because Falcons fans will never let them.
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