Category: Sports

The College Football Playoff for the National Championship has come down to this: the Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. the Ohio State Buckeyes.

If you’re like the rest of us, we can’t come to Atlanta to go to the game, but we can watch it and stream it online.

How To Watch the 2025 College Football Playoff

• Teams: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
• Kickoff Time: 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025
• Location: Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Ga.
• TV channel: ESPN
• Streaming: ESPN App | ESPN+ FuboTV (Free Trial)

A History: Ohio State vs. Notre Dame

The football history between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Notre Dame Fighting Irish is rich and marked by some memorable matchups. While not as frequent as some other rivalries, their meetings have been important and often captivating, as both programs are among the most storied in college football.

Here’s a summary of the key moments and the history between the two teams:

Early Encounters

The first meeting between Ohio State and Notre Dame occurred on November 25, 1921, at the Columbus, Ohio, where Notre Dame won 21–13. This marked the beginning of a rare but significant series of games between the two prestigious programs.

20th Century Matchups

Throughout the 20th century, the two teams faced each other on a limited basis, as both programs primarily built their schedules around other regional and national powers. However, the games they did play were often competitive and saw both teams making their marks as elite football programs.

• 1935 Sugar Bowl: Ohio State and Notre Dame met in the Sugar Bowl (January 1, 1935), a major postseason game. The Buckeyes came out victorious 21–13, giving them an early sense of national prominence. This was one of the first major postseason encounters between the two schools.
• 1950s–1970s: There were occasional meetings, but both teams often had different conference alignments and varied levels of prominence in terms of national rankings. Notre Dame was an independent team, and Ohio State was part of the Big Ten Conference. However, even in this era, they occasionally met in bowl games or high-profile regular-season contests.

21st Century and the Resurgence of the Series

The rivalry between Ohio State and Notre Dame became more pronounced in the 21st century, as both teams’ programs returned to national prominence in the college football landscape.

• 2006 Fiesta Bowl: One of the most famous recent matchups occurred in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl, which was the BCS National Championship Game. The Buckeyes, led by head coach Jim Tressel and star quarterback Troy Smith, entered the game undefeated and as the #1 team in the country. However, Notre Dame was no slouch and was led by coach Charlie Weis and quarterback Brady Quinn. The game was highly anticipated, but Ohio State triumphed 34–20, securing their national championship appearance.
• 2023 Matchup: One of the most recent matchups between the two teams occurred in the 2023 season in a highly anticipated regular season game. This game was a primetime showdown and ended with a tight finish, in which Ohio State came out victorious, 17–14, in a thriller. The game saw intense defensive play and some spectacular individual performances.

Key Themes in Their Rivalry:

1. Coaching Legacies: Both teams have long-standing coaching legacies. Ohio State’s Woody Hayes, Earle Bruce, and Jim Tressel and Notre Dame’s Knute Rockne, Lou Holtz, and Brian Kelly have each shaped college football history.
2. National Title Implications: Some of the games have carried serious national title implications, especially in the BCS era, and both programs have national title aspirations, which raises the stakes when they meet.
3. Notre Dame’s Independence vs. Ohio State’s Big Ten Membership: The two teams don’t play each other regularly because of Notre Dame’s status as an independent, while Ohio State is in the Big Ten. This makes any matchups between the two highly anticipated, as they only meet on occasion in bowl games or scheduled non-conference games.
4. Prolific Players: Both schools have produced some of the most talented players in college football history. Ohio State has had players like Eddie George, Chris Spielman, and Chase Young, while Notre Dame has boasted players like Joe Montana, Tim Brown, and Rudy Ruettiger.

Statistical Overview:

• Series Record: As of the latest games, Ohio State leads the all-time series against Notre Dame in terms of wins, but the series is closely contested.
• Key Bowl Games: Several high-profile bowl matchups have been crucial moments, such as the 2006 Fiesta Bowl and other bowl games.

Future of the Rivalry

The rivalry is expected to continue in the coming years, with the teams scheduled for future non-conference games. The occasional crossover of schedules and the constant shift in college football’s playoff structure means that Ohio State and Notre Dame will likely meet again under high stakes.

In short, while the Ohio State–Notre Dame rivalry may not have the same regularity as some other college football rivalries, it has produced many memorable games and remains an important intersection of two of college football’s most prestigious programs.

The New Orleans Saints got back in the winning column with a hard-fought 2017 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Nov. 10. It was new coach Darren Rizzi’s debut game.

The schedule doesn’t get any easier. Now the Denver Broncos and former coach Sean Payton are next up at the Caesars Superdome.

Who Do the Saints Play in 2024?

Let’s take a look at the Saints’ 2024 schedule, scores and opponents:

How Will the Saints Do In 2024?

The Saints feel like they can have a better season than the year before. They have retooled some of the offense and defense to make an immediate impact, but how much remains to be seen.

With the 41^st pick overall pick in the second round, New Orleans selected Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry.

New Orleans also re-upped at quarterback.

With their first of three fifth round draft picks (150th overall), the Saints selected South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler.

In five seasons at Oklahoma (2019-21) and South Carolina (2022-23), Rattler played in 48 games with 42 starts and completed 900-of-1,313 passes (68.5%) for 10,807 yards with 77 touchdowns and carried 297 times for 410 yards with 16 touchdowns.

2024 Season Scores and Highlights

Saints 47, Panthers 10

In the season opener on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, the Saints blew out the Carolina Panthers 47-10 at the Superdome. Among the scores was quarterback Derek Carr’s long pass to Rashid Shaheed deep for a 59-yard touchdown, which gave the New Orleans Saints an early 7-0 lead.

“We knew that we were a good football team coming into this season,” Carr said after the game.

Week 2: Saints 44, Cowboys 19

Alvin Kamara ran for 115 yards and three touchdowns as the New Orleans Saints scored a touchdown on their first six possessions, including putting up 35 points by halftime. The Cowboys offense was flustered all game as Dak Prescott ended with 293 yards in the air, but two costly interceptions.

Week 3: Saints 12, Cowboys 15

The New Orleans Saints finally lost, 12-15 to the Philadelphia Eagles, after starting the season 2-0. The three point loss was the Saints’ lowest yardage and point production of the season.

Week 4: Saints 24, Falcons 26

The Saints took the lead with under a minute left in the game, only to see Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins and the Falcons make it just pass the 50-yard-line, where they kicked the game-winning field goal on the final play. Tough one in Atlanta.

Week 5: Saints 13, Kansas City 26

Patrick Mahomes threw for 331 yards, but no touchdowns as the Saints held Kansas City to five field goals after a touchdown run in the first quarter by Kareem Hunt.

Week 6: Saints 27, Tampa 51

The New Orleans Saints got whipped 51-27 against the surging Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Oct. 13. The loss was the debut of Saints rookie Spencer Rattler, who played in the stead of Derek Carr.

Saints 20, Falcons 17

New Orleans held Atlanta in check throughout the game and safety Tyrran Mathieu got a late-game interception that thwarted the efforts of Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Final Word

The Saints have a good chance to win the NFC South, but it’s going to take effort from everyone. Here are the best New Orleans sports bars to watch the Saints beat up on their opponents.

When it comes to sports and exercise, you should always make time. That’s why AtlantaFi.com wants to help you with your journey. Check out how to make a home gym  for cheap and even lose pounds in a hurry.

The Black and Gold will forever be better than the Black and Red. That’s just how we feel.

The rivalry between the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons is one of the oldest and most intense rivalries in the NFL. It is often referred to as the “Southern Showdown” or “The Battle of the South.” This rivalry has been fueled by regional pride, memorable games, and the fact that both teams often found themselves battling for supremacy in the NFC South.

When the teams square off on Sunday, old wounds will be revisited. (You can stream the game for free)

This article will look back at the rivalry between the Falcons and Saints, which for many years has been mired in mediocrity — but not of late.

Origins of the Rivalry (1960s–1970s)

The Saints and the Falcons first met in 1967, during the Falcons’ second season and the Saints’ inaugural season in the NFL. As two of the NFL’s southernmost teams at the time, geographic proximity naturally bred rivalry, with Atlanta and New Orleans separated by only about 430 miles. Both teams were known for struggling in their early years. From the late 1960s through the 1970s, neither team had much success, often finishing near the bottom of their respective divisions. However, this helped to create an intense rivalry between the two fanbases, as the teams would fight to avoid being the worst in the league.

Escalation in the 1980s

The rivalry gained a higher profile in the 1980s as both teams began to see sporadic success. The Falcons drafted quarterback Steve Bartkowski, while the Saints eventually brought in quarterback Archie Manning, both of whom became faces of their respective franchises. The games between the Saints and Falcons were usually hard-fought and unpredictable, with memorable moments such as the Falcons’ 62-7 rout of the Saints in 1973 and the Saints winning their first-ever game against the Falcons in 1969.

In the 1980s, the competitiveness of the games helped solidify the rivalry. While the Saints remained without a playoff appearance until 1987, the Falcons had some playoff success, but the rivalry continued to be fierce due to the passionate fanbases.

The 1991 NFC Wild Card Game: A Turning Point

One of the most famous moments in the rivalry’s history came during the 1991 NFC Wild Card game. The Falcons and Saints met in the playoffs for the first time, with the Saints hosting their first-ever playoff game after a 12-4 season. The Falcons, under head coach Jerry Glanville and led by quarterback Chris Miller, came into the game as underdogs. In a hard-fought and emotional contest, the Falcons pulled off a stunning 27-20 victory, with Miller throwing a game-winning touchdown to Michael Haynes. This loss for the Saints was devastating, as it marked the end of a historic season. It fueled the hatred between the fanbases even more.

1990s and Early 2000s: The Rivalry Stays Heated

Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the rivalry remained intense, even as the teams went through periods of success and struggle. The Saints were led by quarterback Bobby Hebert and later by Aaron Brooks, while the Falcons saw the rise of quarterback Chris Chandler, who helped take them to the Super Bowl in 1998.

Despite the teams’ varying success, the rivalry games were often close and unpredictable. For example, the Saints beat the Falcons in 1999, the same season in which the Falcons had just come off their Super Bowl appearance, showing the “any given Sunday” nature of the rivalry.

The Arrival of Drew Brees and Michael Vick (2000s)

The rivalry took on new life in the mid-2000s with the arrival of two franchise-altering quarterbacks: Michael Vick for the Falcons and Drew Brees for the Saints. Vick, an electrifying playmaker, turned the Falcons into one of the most exciting teams in the NFL during the early 2000s. Meanwhile, Brees helped to revive the Saints’ franchise when he joined in 2006, leading them to their first-ever Super Bowl victory in the 2009 season.

The games between Vick and Brees added a new layer of excitement to the rivalry. One notable game came in 2006, when the Saints returned to the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina in an emotional Monday Night Football matchup against the Falcons. The Saints dominated the game, winning 23-3, with the blocked punt by Steve Gleason becoming one of the most iconic moments in Saints history. This game further solidified the Saints’ resurgence and added emotional depth to the rivalry.

Super Bowl Era: Saints’ Dominance (2010s)

During the 2010s, the Saints, led by Drew Brees and head coach Sean Payton, largely dominated the rivalry, but the Falcons had their moments as well. The Saints consistently made the playoffs, winning several division titles and often beating the Falcons along the way. However, the Falcons had their own success, culminating in a Super Bowl appearance in the 2016 season. Although they infamously lost the game to the New England Patriots after leading 28-3, their rivalry with the Saints only grew stronger.

The games between the Saints and Falcons during this period were often marked by high drama, close finishes, and playoff implications. In 2011, for example, the Saints secured a playoff berth by beating the Falcons in a dramatic overtime victory. In 2018, the Saints beat the Falcons on Thanksgiving in front of a national audience, further fueling the competitive fire between the two teams.

The Post-Brees Era and Continued Rivalry

As both franchises entered the 2020s, the rivalry continued to evolve. Drew Brees retired after the 2020 season, marking the end of an era for the Saints. Meanwhile, the Falcons had already moved on from Matt Ryan, and they began a rebuilding process. Even in this period of transition, the games between the Saints and Falcons remained fiercely competitive, with each team looking to spoil the other’s season, regardless of records.

The Saints and Falcons rivalry stands out for its passion, unpredictability, and the way it has reflected the ups and downs of both franchises. It’s not just about wins and losses; it’s about regional pride and the connection between two cities that have had their share of struggles but always rally behind their teams. It is one of the few NFL rivalries where the games matter not only for playoff positioning but for the bragging rights that extend beyond football and into the culture of both cities.

The New Orleans Saints play the Atlanta Falcons in a pivotal game for NFC South supremacy.

There’s nothing as comfortable as cheering on your New Orleans Saints from the comfort of your home. The good news is that you can watch the Saints for free. Why spend big money when you can save it?

This article will go over some ways you can watch the Saints for free. 

• Matchup: Atlanta Falcons (1-2) vs New Orleans Saints (2-1)
• Location: Mercedes Benz Stadium
• Game Time: Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. ET

Can I Stream The Saints Game?

You can watch the Saints games live throughout the season with the NFL Game Pass. It comes with an annual subscription of$99.99/yr. or $9.99/mo., but it includes every game live and online.

Here are some ways you can never miss a down of Falcons football this season.

Watch On Cable TV

In Atlanta, you can usually watch the Saints on FOX 8 WVUE-TV, which is the local TV affiliate in the market. You can watch the game for free across all devices — just sign in with your TV provider credentials.

Alternatively, you can buy a pretty cheap antenna for less than $20 to tune in local channels around your area.

Sign Up For A Streaming Service

You can watch the Saints game for free at fubuTV, which has a 7-day trial. Watch immediately upon signup.

Watch On The Saints App

Watch Saints games live on the official Saints mobile app for iOS or Android. On the app,  you can watch highlights, game previews and exclusive content from the team.

Watch On The NFL App

The NFL’s Mobile App (iOS and Android) has access to all your favorite games, including the New Orleans Saints.

Once you download the app, you can tune in to live local and primetime games.

As an additional way, you can watch the Saints for free (Prime Video) on Thursday Night Football.

It happens once this season, and you can read all about it.

Final Word

Remember, the top ways to watch the Saints for free are:

• Watch on FOX 8.
• For free at fubuTV
• NFL’s Mobile App

Because the NFL is one of the hottest tickets in town, it’s possible to catch the game on other stations, streaming services and devices.

In some cases, you can tune in to your local ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC channels, plus ESPN and NFL Network for $69.99 per month. Whatever floats your football boat!

Football is a religion in the South. Want to leave the house? Catch all the Saints games at your favorite local bar.

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Alvin Kamara made a surprising appearance at the New Orleans Saints’ training camp, signaling his commitment to the team. The former Tennessee running back emphasized two key points during the camp’s opening practice at the University of California, Irvine.

First, Kamara, who holds the franchise record for total touchdowns (78) and rushing touchdowns (54), expressed his desire to retire as a Saint. Second, he indicated his interest in renegotiating his contract before the 2024 football season.

Despite having agreed to a five-year extension in 2020, Kamara is seeking a restructuring of his current deal, which lacks guaranteed salary in its final year. He remains 672 rushing yards short of breaking Mark Ingram II’s team record of 6,500 yards.

Kamara participated in the team conditioning drill and clarified that his absence from the final minicamp practice in June was not indicative of any issues with the team. He acknowledged the financial consequences of skipping training camp, saying, “I’m not stupid, I’m not going to give up money in fines. I was always going to be here.”

Kamara emphasized his dedication to his teammates and the team, stating that the ongoing contract discussions are part of standard negotiations within the league. He assured everyone that he remains fully committed to the team’s goals, saying, “I’m here, doing what I have to do, working.”

Why Kamara Is So Important To The Saints This Year

Kamara is widely regarded as one of the top running backs in the NFL due to his unique combination of skills, versatility, and consistency. With Derek Carr looking to create some synergy with him, the upcoming season is an important one.

Here are some stats on Kamara:

1. Versatility: Kamara excels not only as a traditional runner but also as a receiver out of the backfield. His ability to catch passes and create plays in the open field makes him a dual-threat player, which is highly valued in today’s NFL. He has consistently been among the league leaders in receptions among running backs, showcasing his versatility .
2. Consistency and Production: Kamara has been remarkably consistent since entering the league. He has recorded over 1,300 yards from scrimmage in each of his seasons, despite dealing with injuries. His career average of 4.7 yards per carry and nearly 10 yards per reception highlight his efficiency .
3. Big Play Ability: Kamara is known for his ability to make big plays. His combination of speed, agility, and vision allows him to break off long runs and catch passes for significant yardage. This big-play capability is a key asset for the New Orleans Saints’ offense .
4. Awards and Recognition: Kamara has received numerous accolades, including multiple Pro Bowl selections and being named the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2017. His performance in the 2020 season, where he scored six rushing touchdowns in a single game, tied an NFL record .
5. Durability and Longevity Concerns: While Kamara has been highly productive, there are some concerns about his long-term durability due to the physical nature of his playing style and the significant workload he carries. Nonetheless, he has proven to be resilient and capable of playing through injuries .

Overall, Alvin Kamara is considered one of the elite running backs in the NFL, known for his versatility, consistency, and ability to make game-changing plays. His contributions have been crucial to the success of the New Orleans Saints’ offense.

The Saints have a good chance to win the NFC South, but it’s going to take effort from everyone. Here are the best New Orleans sports bars to watch the Saints beat up on their opponents.

When it comes to sports and exercise, you should always make time. That’s why AtlantaFi.com wants to help you with your journey. Check out how to make a home gym  for cheap and even lose pounds in a hurry.