NE Atlanta News

In his first team meeting as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, Raheem Morris delivered a mission statement that has become a rallying cry: "Outrun the South."

That mission is about to be tested.

The NFC South race begins on Sunday as Atlanta faces the New Orleans Saints in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the first in a three-week stretch of games against each division opponent.

"I love it ... " Morris said. "The division is coming in town, and we better be ready to deal because this will determine a lot about us at the end of it all. But, right now we better focus on the New Orleans Saints."

So far, the Falcons (1-2) have faced two AFC teams and an NFC East squad — with those teams holding a combined record of 8-1. This is the first time the Falcons face a divisional opponent. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers come to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Week 5 for a Thursday-night matchup. Following that, the Falcons travel to take on the Carolina Panthers in Week 6.

It's a crucial few weeks for the Falcons. This stretch could either set them ahead in the division standings or have them playing catch-up toward the end of the season.

"On one hand, they all count one, and you got to find wins wherever you can get them, and you're not going to really differentiate one over another," quarterback Kirk Cousins said. " ... Then, you can also talk about how NFC South games sort of count a little more because the goal is to win the South and be able to host a playoff game. So, you know, that has value."

Currently, the Saints lead the division with a 2-1 record. The Bucs have an identical record through three weeks but already won a divisional game against the Panthers in their season opener.

There are five undefeated teams left in the NFL, and Atlanta has faced two of them: Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs. Atlanta lost by a combined 13 points. It hasn't been an easy start for them, but they've shown resilience against tough opponents.

The Falcons also have road games against both Saints and Bucs before their bye week in November, emphasizing their need to gel quickly.

"(It's) very important to be clicking right now going into division play," defensive tackle Grady Jarrett said. "Can only play one at a time, so that's our main focus — is this next game. Don't make light about it; we put an emphasis on division play."

Jarrett is familiar with the Falcons-Saints rivalry and knows how challenging this opponent will be. He's played against New Orleans 16 times in nine seasons and seeks his sixth win as a starter.

Cousins has been part of meaningful NFL rivalries before; he likened this matchup's weight to that between Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers. On Sunday, he'll experience southern hospitality's flipside for himself but has received plenty of reminders from fans about this game's importance.

"They made it clear going back to if I would be out in public in April or May," Cousins said. "They take 'the S' off of 'the team name.' So it's a big deal. And so we want to deliver for our fans... There was great energy [last Sunday], and I want to see that continue throughout season."

Meanwhile Jarrett needs no reminders.

"It's definitely one everybody in NFL knows about," Jarrett said." The cities take it heart; players take it heart; former players/coaches do too—it's just one those ones."