The Atlanta Falcons have no fiercer rival than the New Orleans Saints, your newest Super Bowl champions.
They entered the NFL a year apart in the mid-1960s. They represented the league's breakthrough into the deep south. Their histories are remarkably similar, with career win percentages hovering around 42 percent and no ultimate prize -- until Sunday.
So, should Falcon Nation should be cringing that the Saints experienced football orgasm first? Hardly. It should congratulate N'Awlins with a pat on its fleur-de-lis (left) and resolve that, "We're next."
The team formerly knows as the Aint's pulled off an upset that proves there are no real upsets anymore in this league of parity. Which means, the Falcons are reminded a solid team that stays injury-free and features a capable quarterback can win the big'un.
Besides, Falcons-vs.-Saints has never been vitriolic. More like two gangs showing up at the same party, keeping their distance and having a fine, old time. The way sports rivalries oughta be.
And, how could anyone outside the Hoosier State not feel goose-bumpy good for the folks in Louisiana still rinsing off the aftermath of Katrina? The Saints' goofball owner, Tom Benson, resisted temptations to move the franchise, which would have denied the locals a needed rallying point during their recovery.
The Saints aren't the best team to win the Super Bowl. This, though, was the best outcome of all XLIV of them.
Oh, and here's how the oddsmakers see the Falcons, Saints and others for the next Super Bowl, only 364 days away.
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