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By Ross Jackson
The most anticipated matchup of any NFL schedule is usually the first game of the season. After months without football, satiating any fan’s desire to see their favorite sport back in action can usually topple any storyline.
But in 2026, the New Orleans Saints have a unique matchup in the way, one that may be even more anticipated than the season opener, and one in which their opponent reportedly wanted no part of being involved.
The Saints’ Week 4 home Monday Night Football contest against the Atlanta Falcons is the most anticipated game of the 2026 season for a number of reasons.
Commemorating the Domecoming
On Sept. 25, 2006, the Saints returned to their home stadium, the Superdome, after spending the 2005 season in alternative sites due to the destruction of Hurricane Katrina. During that game, the team’s famed “Rebirth” moment took place thanks to an electrifying blocked punt by Saints legend Steve Gleason.
20 years later (or just beyond) the league is honoring the anniversary of their return with the same matchup. The Saints will host the NFC rival Falcons, who reportedly wanted nothing to do with the commemoration.
I heard the Atlanta Falcons wanted no part of being the opponent for the Saints’ Monday Night Football game, commemorating the 20-year anniversary of the historic “Dome-coming” game in 2006. And the NFL scheduled them for it anyway.#SacrificialLambs
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) May 15, 2026
A Return to Primetime
Along with a return to a pivotal moment in the history of the franchise, this game will also be a return to primetime for the team, who received no such games in 2025.
Not only is it a return to primetime, but more specifically a return to Monday Night Football. The Saints used to dominate the scheduling of these games. From 2006-2020, New Orleans appeared in 25 Monday night regular season games. That’s more than any club in the league.
They were 17-8 in those matchups and scored the most points (740) across the NFL.
Shough on the National Stage
This first primetime game since 2024 also means it will be the first exposure for quarterback Tyler Shough to a national audience.
The signal caller has done much to reignite the excitement around the team and now, he’ll have a chance to put on display on the league’s largest national stage. The same is true for head coach Kellen Moore and defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, both of whom have helped to revitalize the Saints’ trajectory. It will be the first time a national audience can see what they’ve done in New Orleans so far.
The Revenge Factor
This isn’t the first time the NFL has made a point to acknowledge the anniversary of the team’s post-Katrina return. In 2016, the league did the same for the 10-year commemoration.
The Week 3 Monday night matchup with the Falcons that season took place on Sept. 26, one day after the 10-year mark.
The game turned out to be a shoot out, resulting in a Saints 45-32 loss and an 0-3 start to the season.
New Orleans will look to erase that bad memory with a definitive win in 2026 during the team’s second home game of the season.
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