ATLANTA — It's going to be a bit strange to see someone other than Sean Payton on the New Orleans sideline.
The Saints are beginning not just a new season Sunday — it's a whole new era as they face their NFC South rival, the Atlanta Falcons.
With Payton's shocking decision to step down after 15 seasons as the Saints coach, Dennis Allen is now running things in the Big Easy.
He's got some big shoes to fill after Payton led the Saints to nine playoff appearances and their lone Super Bowl title.
“I think we have a good football team,” said Allen, who was Payton's defensive coordinator. "I’m excited about getting our guys out there and going and playing.”
This is a second chance for Allen, who coached the Oakland Raiders for two-plus seasons with that franchise in a state of flux.
The Raiders went 8-28 before Allen was fired four games into the 2014 season.
Things are much more stable in New Orleans, where Allen should benefit from the solid foundation built by Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis.
Loomis remains, as does much of the previous staff, including offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr.
Allen will continue to run the defense, which has been the Saints' strength in recent seasons.
“In terms of how we set our tempo, our mindset on the defensive side, it always starts top-down for us, and top-down was always Dennis,” defensive end Cameron Jordan said.
Arthur Smith, the Falcons' second-year coach, doesn't expect any drop-off from the Saints.
“Obviously Sean Payton is a big presence and a great football coach," Smith said. “They established something really good, but a lot of times you transition. Dennis is his own guy. He’s a hell of a football coach. They’ve certainly established an identity on defense.”
The Falcons are trying to establish their identity.
They traded long-time quarterback Matt Ryan to Indianapolis and decided to take a huge salary-cap hit this year so they'll have a lot more money to spend down the road.
The Falcons have some promising players to build around, including tight end Kyle Pitts, cornerback A.J. Terrell, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and all-purpose player Cordarrelle Patterson.
But not nearly enough of them, which is why the oddsmakers are projecting Atlanta to be one of the league's worst teams.
HOME, (NOT SO) SWEET HOME
Atlanta feels more like a home away from home for many visiting teams. The Saints are no exception.
New Orleans has won four straight games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, including a 30-20 victory in last season's finale.
In all, the Falcons managed just one win in seven home games a year ago on the way to a 7-10 mark. Since moving into the futuristic, retractable-roof facility in 2017, the Falcons are 15-24 at home.
Smith has made it a priority to create more of an edge when playing in Atlanta.
“It's our home,” Smith said. “We need to win at home.”
MATHIEU DEBUT
Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu is eager to make his debut for his hometown team in one of the more intense divisional rivalries in the NFL.
“Everybody in New Orleans that I know is going to the game,” said Mathieu, who starred at LSU after playing high school football in New Orleans.
Asked if he hated the Falcons growing up, Mathieu said, “I didn’t like them, no. Hate is a strong word.”
MARIOTA'S CHANCE
After trading Ryan, the Falcons quickly signed Marcus Mariota to take over at quarterback.
Mariota hasn't come close to living up to the expectations of being the No. 2 overall pick by the Titans in the 2015 draft.
He hasn't started since 2019, spending the last two years as a little-used backup with the Raiders.
But Mariota said that time on the bench provided a much-needed reset to his career. He is eager to show what he can do in Atlanta.
“I really believe the last couple of years, to sit and watch and learn, was very beneficial," he said. "I’m excited to take what I’ve absorbed and I’ve learned and apply it to this season.”
LONDON CALLING
Drake London, the Falcons' top draft pick, played only one possession in the preseason because of a knee injury.
But sitting London appeared more of a precautionary measure. In practice leading up to Week 1, he looked to be back at nearly full strength, though the Falcons weren't saying if he'll play against the Saints.
“We’ll see what it looks like the rest of the week and then we’ve got to make a decision," Smith said. “If he’s playing, if he’s not, how much we want to put on his plate.”
NEW TARGETS
Jameis Winston returns as the Saints quarterback after a season-ending knee injury last Halloween.
He’ll have a different trio of receivers at his disposal.
Michael Thomas, who in 2019 set an NFL record for catches in a season with 149, was on track to play Sunday for the first time in more than a year after complications from left ankle surgery.
The Saints added Jarvis Landry in free agency and used their top draft choice on Chris Olave of Ohio State.
Another top receiving threat, versatile running back Alvin Kamara, also appears healthy after laboring through knee issues last season.
“It’s a really good feeling looking around, seeing the faces in the huddle,” Saints left tackle James Hurst said. “We know we’ve got playmakers.”
