By Nakia Hogan, The Times-Picayune

Perhaps in a way to get under the skin of the hated Atlanta Falcons, loquacious former New Orleans Saints receiver Joe Horn, in 2002, boastingly said the Saints and Falcons were not a true rivalry.

His reasoning was simple. Horn deduced that in order for it to be a true rivalry both teams needed to win. And since the Saints were 3-1 against the Falcons since Horn had signed to the team in 2000, winning was something the Falcons hadn’t done often.

But later during the season, the Falcons beat the Saints twice, forcing Horn to eat his words: “It’s a rivalry now,” he said. “They whipped our butt twice.”

Read the rest of the story here.

On the flight to Atlanta, and all I know is the plane has about 75 seats and we have about 65 people dressed in Saints gear.. Who Dat !

By D. Orlando Ledbetter

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

1. Saints RB Reggie Bush vs. Falcons SLB Sean Weatherspoon: Since the Saints drafted Bush in 2006, they have posted a 7-2 mark against the Falcons. In both Atlanta victories, Bush was sidelined by injury. He missed the last game with a broken leg on Sept. 27. Ironically, Bush was out of the lineup with a knee injury when the Falcons beat them 34-20 on Nov. 9, 2008, at the Georgia Dome. The Saints will try to isolate Bush, the disgraced Heisman Trophy winner, in a mismatch with Weatherspoon, who said he is “close to 90 percent” recovered from his knee injury.

Read the rest of the story here.

By Pat Yasinskas

I would like to stay with the true spirit of the season and not make any harsh allegations. But I’ reading through the injury reports from New Orleans and Atlanta and starting to think the Saints and Falcons might be playing some reindeer games.

Each team put out its final injury report Saturday afternoon for Monday night’s huge NFC game and, to be brutally honest, I can’t help but wonder if both teams are going a little beyond what’s necessary.

Read the rest of Pat’s story here.

James Varney, The Times-Picayune

Two things – one that could lengthen the game; another that may shorten it – should become apparent Monday night when the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons tangle in the Georgia Dome, according to Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.

The first is Atlanta’s willingness to go for it on fourth down. When the Falcons beat New Orleans on Sept. 26, Atlanta converted two of three fourth downs to go with their 50 percent conversion rate on the 18 third downs they faced. Admittedly, those numbers were compiled in a game that lasted nearly five quarters, but since then the Falcons have gone on to lead the NFL by converting 11 of 13 fourth down attempts this season.

Read the rest of the story here.

Merry Christmas Who Dat Nation!! WHO DAT RINGS GO ON SALE DECEMBER 26th FOR OUR DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS SALE. WHO DAT RINGS ARE ONLY $64.95. IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A WHODAT RING, LET YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY KNOW THAT IT’S ON SALE NOW!!! ONLY $64.95. ALL LADIES ITEMS ARE ALSO ON SALE. PLEASE COME BACK TO VISIT OUR UPDATED SITE. WWW.WHODATJEWELRYINC.COM WE APPRECIATE EVERYONES PURCHASES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!! 985-249-4870 ARMAND@WHODATJEWELRYINC.COM

By James Varney, The Times-Picayune

New Orleans Saints coaches reportedly did not stick lumps of coal in defenders’ stockings this morning, but that doesn’t mean the players aren’t aware they were more nice than naughty when it came to tackling last Sunday.

“You can’t try to deflect or act like it didn’t happen. It did happen. They rushed for more than 200 yards on us, and they deserved it the way we tackled, the way we played,” linebacker and defensive captain Jonathan Vilma said. “You look at it, you take it for what it is, and you be honest with yourself and look to improve.”

Read the rest of the story here.

By The Associated Press

When Jimmy Graham was still a college basketball player at Miami, he got some sound career advice from people with backgrounds as divergent as university President Donna Shalala and former star quarterback Bernie Kosar.

Shalala, who attends Miami sporting events and gets to know the athletes, repeatedly urged Graham to try playing for the Hurricanes’ football team.

“I guess I was fouling so much,” Graham, a former power forward known mostly for defense and rebounding, recalled with a grin.

Read the rest of the story here.

What a great night at Sake Cafe, here are some pictures from the event.

We were thankful for being a part of this great fundraiser, and have to thank Pierre for getting this all together. Of course all of this would not have been possible if it was not for Sake Cafe for pulling all of this together and making this happen. And of course we have to thanks Heath Evans and his foundation for supporting such a great cause.

If you were at the dinner and you want a full size picture just let us know at billy@whodatnation.com

By The Associated Press

New Orleans Saints (10-4) at Atlanta Falcons (12-2)

Monday, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

Opening line — Atlanta by 2

Record vs. spread — New Orleans 5-8-1; Atlanta 10-4

Series record — Falcons lead 45-37

Last meeting — Falcons beat Saints 27-24 in OT, Sept. 26, 2010

Last week — Saints lost to Ravens 30-24; Falcons beat Seahawks 34-18

Saints offense — OVERALL (6), RUSH (26), PASS (3)

Saints defense — OVERALL (9), RUSH (19T), PASS (4)

Falcons offense — OVERALL (12), RUSH (7), PASS (14)

Falcons defense — OVERALL (15), RUSH (12), PASS (20)

Read the rest of the streaks, stats and notes here.