Next Sunday is it. The final game of the season. Saints vs. Falcons. And if there’s one game you never mail in — it’s this one.
Yeah, the playoff picture is settled. The Saints are out. No sugarcoating that. But this rivalry doesn’t need standings to matter. Beating Atlanta always matters.
This is about pride.
This is about finishing.
This is about sending a message going into the offseason.
We’ve seen growth the last few weeks. The quarterback play has settled down. The defense is still fighting. Guys are competing when it would be easy to check out — and that tells you a lot about who belongs moving forward.
What I want to see next Sunday is simple:
• Physical football. Set the tone early and don’t let Atlanta get comfortable.
• Smart execution. Protect the ball, avoid the self-inflicted mistakes that buried this team earlier in the year.
• Finish drives. Touchdowns change momentum — especially in rivalry games.
• Young players step up. This is their audition for next season.
• Play like it means something. Because it does.
This team doesn’t control the standings anymore, but it does control how the season ends. Beat Atlanta, finish with momentum, and head into the offseason believing you’re building toward something — not starting over.
I’ve been through the good years, the bad years, and the heartbreaking ones. Ending the season with a win over the Falcons always feels right.
One last Sunday.
One last chance to make a statement.
Let’s finish this the right way.
Who Dat.
— Anthony “Tony” from the Westbank