Atlanta Falcons have to hope Drew Brees stays retired

The Atlanta Falcons escaped New Orleans with a win despite a fourth-quarter collapse. Matt Ryan and Cordarrelle Patterson bailed the Falcons out late and set up a game-winning field goal to pull what could have been another terrible Atlanta collapse.

This game was a reminder that Atlanta has a huge advantage in their division. Atlanta gets to face New Orleans backup quarterback and Sam Darnold twice this year. This is such a huge advantage one Atlanta didn’t have last season with Drew Brees still a member of the Saints.

Watching New Orleans in this game it was evident they were without their franchise quarterback. Drew Brees has retired and stepped into the broadcast booth a place the Atlanta Falcons have to hope Brees chooses to stay.  According to Brees himself, he is going to stay retired despite the injury to Jameis Winston.

The Atlanta Falcons have a chance to steal a wildcard spot because of terrible quarterback play

Sam Darnold and the Carolina Panthers are a mess, despite beating the Falcons this season they are struggling and will soon turn their attention to the off-season and finding a franchise quarterback.

New Orleans is a bit more interesting sitting a game ahead of the Falcons and currently holding a wildcard spot. With a quarterback this team would be a playoff contender, one Atlanta and Tampa should fear.  Because of this rumors will likely emerge again and continue to surround former Saints quarterback Drew Brees.

Brees saw his career end last season at the hands of Tom Brady after the Saints beat Brady twice in the regular season. It has to be at the very least tempting for Brees to attempt a comeback and get his storybook ending.

For Atlanta, they have to hope the Saints have a delusional belief in Trevor Siemian or Taysom Hill. As long as one of those players is starting at quarterback Atlanta will continue to gain ground on a New Orleans team that has no chance in the playoffs.

With Hill and Siemian this is an average and very beatable Saints, team. Something that would change if Drew Brees were to be talked out of retirement. A retirement Atlanta hopes is permanent for a player that got the best of the Falcons far too often.

Without Brees, this is a New Orleans team Atlanta can beat as long as Matt Ryan is healthy. A team without a franchise quarterback or a dynamic receiver suddenly Atlanta may have the upper hand over the hated Saints not only this season but in the years to come. Good luck to Drew Brees in the booth! Atlanta hopes that is where you stay as Bree’s former team appears headed in the wrong direction.