NFL Monday Night Football preview: Saints and Falcons renew one of NFL's best rivalries

The Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints saw their seasons take much different turns in Week 3.

The Falcons started the season 0-2 but got quarterback Michael Penix Jr. back in the lineup and looked like a different team, blowing out the Packers 35-14. Meanwhile, a Saints team that was coming off a dramatic win at Baltimore to improve to 1-1 lost a fourth-quarter lead to the Raiders and lost 35-27.

That sets up a matchup between two 1-2 teams that still have plenty of hope in a once again mediocre NFC South. The winner on Monday night will be 2-2 and tied with the Carolina Panthers for first place.

There's always a little extra on the line between the Saints and the Falcons, which is one of the NFL's most heated rivalries. And Monday night is being celebrated as the 20th anniversary of the "rebirth" at the Superdome, the Saints' return to their home stadium after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. That game is remembered best for Steve Gleason's blocked punt that led to a touchdown, and Gleason will be honored at the game Monday night. There will be a little more emotion in the New Orleans crowd than usual, and it's always high for a Falcons game.

But these two teams have more than history and a rivalry at stake. One will be 2-2 and tied for first place in the division. The other falls to 1-3, which is a tough hole to be in regardless of the division you play in.

The Falcons' season outlook completely changed when Penix returned to the lineup. He had been out while getting back to 100% from ACL surgery. Atlanta put up 498 yards in his return last week. Drake London in particular came alive with nine catches and 194 yards. The Falcons can ignore the first two losses of the season, with third- and fourth-string quarterbacks, and focus on a new season with Penix.

The Saints were the hottest team in the NFC South over the second half of last season and it looked like that carried over to this season. The 24-17 comeback win at the Ravens in Week 2 was impressive. Saints quarterback Tyler Shough is off to a hot start in his second season. But then came a disappointing Raiders loss, in which New Orleans turned it over four times in the fourth quarter, and the prospect of falling to 1-3 with a loss on Monday night.

There's a lot of history between these two franchises. The rivalry aside, this game is huge for both teams early this season.

There is nowhere near the pressure on this season's Saints for Monday night's game as there was on the 2006 Saints to win in the first game back in the Superdome against the Falcons. But there still is pressure on New Orleans. They had a good start to the season, coming a failed 2-point conversion from starting 2-0 at the Lions and Ravens. A home loss to the Raiders last week turned what looked like a pretty good start to the season into a 1-2 record. The Falcons have plenty on the line too. They don't want to lose the momentum gained from Michael Penix Jr.'s return to the lineup. But the Saints dropping a second straight home game to fall to 1-3 would be a bigger step back.

London is one of the NFL's best receivers when he has a competent quarterback. Through two weeks, with Cooper Rush and briefly rookie Jack Strand at quarterback, London had six catches for 80 yards. He was no factor in Atlanta's 0-2 start and nobody blamed him. Then came Week 3, and a 194-yard outburst with Michael Penix Jr. back. Penix has always liked peppering London with targets, going back to Penix's rookie season. London had 10 targets against the Packers and should come close to that on Monday night. The Saints haven't allowed more than 227 passing yards in a game this season, but that will be tested.

In a wide-open NFC South, this is an important early-season game for both teams. The betting public is backing the Saints, but we've seen the line drop from New Orleans -2.5 to -1.5 in what should be an electric environment. There are injuries aplenty, and with two young QBs in Tyler Shough and Michael Penix Jr. going at it, I'm looking at the over 47.5. Check to see if Falcons LB Divine Deablo can go — as Atlanta's D will be really shorthanded if he can't play.

Check out more of Ben's work at the Yahoo Sports betting hub .

Fantasy football storylines, by Scott Pianowski

We hope you're enjoying your subscription to the Atlanta Falcons Season Ticket (Week 2 of 3). Here are three fantasy themes to consider as you watch the Falcons and Saints wrap up Week 4.

1. What does the New Orleans backfield look like without Travis Etienne? A hamstring injury pushed Etienne to injured reserve this week, making an opportunity for Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller. Kamara has been stuck in a 2.8 YPC rut through his two games, with Miller only modestly better (3.4 YPC, and a higher success rate ). Both backs have seen limited receiving work, but that could change with Etienne hurt.

2. Can the Falcons find a third pitch on offense? Bijan Robinson can be Superman against anyone and obviously Drake London and Michael Penix have strong chemistry. But so far in Penix's career, he's been unable to click with TE Kyle Pitts . It will also be interesting to see how much Brian Robinson plays — Atlanta's No. 2 back has 30 carries over three games.

3. Will Juwan Johnson keep rolling? Johnson has a solid TE7, TE13, TE5 start to the year, poised for a strong return on his summer ADP. The Atlanta seam coverage has been leaky, allowing the eighth-most points to tight ends entering Week 4. Chris Olave is obviously the first read in the New Orleans passing game, but Johnson could stabilize as the second option.

Check out more of Scott's work at the Yahoo Sports fantasy hub .