VIDEO REPORT: Falcons and Saints renew their longstanding rivalry as each seek early season momentum

Long-time Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan can be counted on to echo the sentiments of many New Orleans fans whenever the rival Atlanta Falcons are next on the schedule.

“You know the importance of this game,” Jordan said, referring to the Falcons’ visit to New Orleans on Monday night. “‘Can’tlanta’ comes to the dome. We have to turn them into ‘Trashlanta.’”

The Falcons (1-2) and Saints (1-2) have identical records, but New Orleans has played close in all three of its games, while Atlanta has been more erratic.

After being booed by their own fans during a 34-3 home loss to Carolina in Week 2, the Falcons stunningly routed the Packers in Green Bay just four days later.

They’ll have had 10 days rest when they enter the hostile, emotionally charged Superdome on what is also being celebrated as the 20-year anniversary of when the Saints played their first game in the rebuilt stadium since it had been damaged while sheltering desperate residents during Hurricane Katrina.

That also was a Monday night game against the Falcons. It started with Steve Gleason’s famous punt block and ended with the city celebrating a 23-3 Saints triumph.

“That’s the fun part for us,” Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski said. “In this league, you go on the road; you get to experience some incredible crowds.”

Stefanski takes confidence from how well Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and his offense handled Green Bay’s crowd, not committing one pre-snap penalty.

“That’s no small feat … in some of these road environments,” Stefanski said. “Mike did an outstanding job both in the huddle and at the line of scrimmage the other night, and getting us in and out of the correct plays, making adjustments when necessary.”

The result was a number of impressive statistical lines for Penix (256 yards passing), running back Bijan Robinson (194 yards, two TDs rushing) and receiver Drake London (nine catches for 194 yards).

Last week, the Saints looked to be on their way to a victory that would have given them an early edge in the NFC South race, only to squander an 11-point, second-half lead to the Las Vegas Raiders, committing four turnovers in the process.

“We’ve only played three games. It’s nothing to panic over,” Saints tight end Juwan Johnson said. “We’re playing really aggressive, really strong, really physical, really smart and really fast. There’s just a few things we can clean up and we’ll be fine.”

In New Orleans, a city oozing with mysticism, there are bound to be more than a few rituals, superstitious or otherwise, practiced up to and during the game.

Stefanski, though, sounds intent to just focus on the game plan.

“I’m not superstitious,” Stefanski said. “It’s bad luck.”