Kirk Cousins and the first-place Falcons know the importance of not underestimating the last-place New Orleans Saints.
In their previous matchup in Week 4, the Falcons won with a last-second field goal, and now they are up against a Saints team that is eager to give interim coach Darren Rizzi a strong start.
Cousins pointed out that when a coach is fired, as Dennis Allen was earlier this week, “the team plays very well the following week, in my experience.” He said, “So, I see it as a real challenge that we’ve been thrown.”
He added, “They’re going to be emotionally and mentally at their best — and then playing at their place. There’s a lot of factors coming together where you feel like we have to be at our best to have a chance.”
Allen, who had been with the Saints for 15 years in various roles, was let go after a tough loss to Carolina, which stretched the Saints’ losing streak to seven games.
This was their longest skid in 25 years. Allen had a record of 18-25 in 2 1/2 seasons as head coach, following Sean Payton’s departure.
Rizzi, the 54-year-old special teams coordinator, was chosen to take over as interim coach. He is well-liked by the players.
The Saints are currently four games behind the Falcons with eight games left to play and are heading toward missing the playoffs for the fourth year in a row.
However, Rizzi rejected the idea that he would focus on long-term goals, like player development, instead of winning now. “Do I think in any way shape or form that we’re giving up on this season? I don’t,” Rizzi said. “I don’t think the locker room thinks that we’re giving up on the season. The front office doesn’t think we’re giving up on the season.”
As Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan put it, “It’s Atlanta hate week.”
